The Africana Studies program at UNC is one of the few programs across the country that has both a major and a minor in Africana Studies. In the major or minor, the program offers an interdisciplinary and multicultural curriculum that promotes the study of the history, culture, philosophy, economy, and political experience of all people of African descent with special emphasis on African Americans. UNC’s Africana Studies program explores the linkages among disciplines, cultures, and continents and their impacts on the African American experience.

This program has been serving UNC students and the University community since 1969. You can declare a major or minor in Africana Studies, but you may also want to “double major,” preferably with a second major in the social sciences, the humanities, or the sciences. For example, a student majoring in both Africana Studies and Political Science or a foreign language may find unique career opportunities in international relations or business.

Africana Studies is the scholarly research, study, and interpretation of the history and culture of people of African descent in the African Diaspora. The African Diaspora is composed of people of African origin who reside primarily in Africa, the United States, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, and South America. Africana Studies majors will evaluate and analyze many of the ideas, individuals, institutions, and accomplishments of the past and present. They will examine the distinctiveness of African American people as well as their interrelationships with racial-ethnic groups. Also included is the study of identity, cultures, customs, traditions, languages, and mannerisms. The contextual scope of Africana Studies as developed academically is interdisciplinary in nature. Subjects comprising that interdisciplinary field include religion, political science, economics, art, music, anthropology, history, and sociology. Africana Studies provides an intellectually broadening field of studies for all students, regardless of race or ethnicity.

Descriptions of the Requirements
for the Major and Minor in the Catalog

• Requirements for the Major
• Requirements for the Minor

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