Getting Started (Majors Guide)

College: HFA

 (Revised Spring 2018)  

How to Explore / Get Started in the Major 

Suggested General Education Courses:

Under the new guidelines students are still required to take two courses, one in U.S. Diversity and one in Global Diversity. Students entering in Fall 2018 are expected to take one of these diversity courses, either U.S. or Global, in their first year on campus.  For Fall 2018 Registration, look for courses with DU (formerly U) and DG (formerly G) to help students stay on track.  Any course labled DU will satisfy the requirement for a U.S. diversity course and any course labeled DG will satisfy the the requirement for Global diversity course. Course planning guidelines, including guidelines for students, are available at www.umass.edu/gened.

Suggested Major and Pre-Requisite Courses: 

Choose from among the following courses:

Fall:     AFROAM 101, 117 and 132
Spring: AFROAM 118, 133, a 200+ level course 

How to Declare the Major

At any time, students should see Britt Rusert, the Chief Undergraduate Advisor, or Tricia Loveland to declare the major.

Summary of Requirements for the Major

Minimum total # of courses required: 12 (including 496 and 494DI)

  • Introductory Sequence:
    • AFROAM 101 Introduction to Black Studies
    • At least two introductory courses drawn from the Humanities Group:
      AFROAM 111, 113, 117, 118, 151, 155 and 156; MUSIC 102 and 103
    • At least two introductory courses drawn from the History and Social Science Group:
      AFROAM 132, 133 and 161; ECON 144; HISTORY 160 and 161.
  • Advanced Sequence:
    • Four courses at the 200- to 400-level drawn from one or more of the following concentrations:
      History, Social Sciences, Literature, Creative and Performing Arts.
    • AFROAM 365 – Junior Year Writing (Composition: Style and Organization)
    • AFROAM 494DI – (Du Bois seminar) The three-credit IE requirement
    • AFROAM 496 – A three-credit Senior Independent Project

Note: AfroAm 494DI and 496 are required for both primary and secondary majors. Relevant upper level courses at UMass in Anthropology, English, History, Political Science, Economics, Sociology, Women, Gender, Sexuality Studies and other departments may also be accepted towards the major. Courses within the other members of the Five College Consortium will also be considered. Students must check with the Chief Undergraduate Advisor before enrolling in such courses.

Is there a minor? If so what are the requirements?
Yes. Five courses in Afro-American Studies. Check with the Department to declare.

For further information, contact:
Tricia Loveland
Administrative Assistant
329 New Africa House; 545-2751
tlovelan@afroam.umass.edu