Program Overview

African American and African Diaspora Studies Undergraduate Certificate

Overview

The Undergraduate Certificate in African American and African Diaspora Studies (AAADS) offers undergraduate students from any major/discipline an opportunity to engage in an interdisciplinary examination of the history, culture, and life of African Americans and the African diaspora from ancient times to the present day. This program stresses critical thinking, ethical and moral reasoning, intercultural competence, community service, and justice.

Certificate Requirements

• Core:
  • HIST 1003: African American History (3 hours)
  • HIST 1007: Introduction to African and African American Studies (3 hours)
  • COMM 2332: Intercultural Communication (3 hours)
• Electives: 6 hours
  • Choose two of the following. At least one course must be 2000-level or above.
    • COMM 2235: Professional Communication
    • COMM 3355: Dangerous Messages
    • ED FND 3251: Black Americans in Education
    • ED FND 4330: History of American Education through the Lens of Social Justice
    • ENGL 1950: Topics in Literature
    • ENGL 2360: Hey, Have You Read?
    • ENGL 4790: Rhetoric and Social Justice
    • HIST 2000: Selected Topics in History
    • HIST 2026: Baseball and the Making of Modern America
    • HIST 2066: Women and Gender in African History
    • HIST 2067: African History through Fiction and Film
    • HIST 3000: Special Topics in History
    • M H L T 1004: B.A.M. - Black American Music
    • M H L T 1070:
    • M H L T 1150: Drumming Cultures of the World (MOTR MUSC 102)
    • PHIL 3327: Race and Racism
    • POL SCI 2320: African Americans and the Political System
    • POL SCI 2370: The Politics of Identity and Social Justice
    • POL SCI 2580: African Politics
    • POL SCI 3880: Global Diasporas and International Relations in the 21st Century
    • SOC 2192: Special Topics in Sociology
    • SOC 2701: Race and Society
    • SOC 3344: Problems of Urban Community
    • SOC 3291: Current Issues in Sociology
    • SOC 4360: Sociology of Minority Groups
    • SOC 4340: Race, Crime, and Justice
    • THEATR 2274: African-American Cinema
• Capstone: 3 hours
  • A capstone course (minimum of 3 hours) is a 4000–level research, internship, or practicum course not already used as an elective. This course must be approved, in advance, by the program coordinator for the certificate.
• Total Hours: 18

Other UMSL courses and courses from other UM campuses, through ICCS or other formats, may be included as electives with prior approval of the program coordinator.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, certificate earners will be able to:

• Describe the historical developments of the African American and African diasporan experiences that reflect the complexities of continuity and change
• Analyze the key issues facing African, African American, and African diasporan peoples by applying scholarly research, perspectives, and data
• Design programs and tactics that address a major civic or social challenge facing African, African American, or African diaspora communities.