Program Overview

Africana Studies (MA)

Overview

The Africana Studies Program in the Department of Social and Cultural Analysis offers a Master of Arts degree with a broad interdisciplinary curriculum in the study of Africans and Afro-descendants globally, focusing mainly in the following geographical areas: Africa, North America, Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East. Students can concentrate in any one of these areas, compare and contrast between two or more areas, or take courses in all five of these areas.

Program Description

The Master of Arts Program in Africana Studies prepares students interested in applying for PhD programs in history, literature, American studies, anthropology, communications, political science, sociology, economics, and cinema studies, and for careers in education, cultural institutions, documentation, and public service. Additionally, an MA can be pursued as a joint degree with either Journalism, Economics, Library Information Science, or a concentration in Museum Studies.

Admissions

All applicants to the Graduate School of Arts and Science (GSAS) are required to submit the general application requirements, which include:

• Academic Transcripts
• Test Scores (if required)
• Applicant Statements
• Résumé or Curriculum Vitae
• Letters of Recommendation, and
• A non-refundable application fee.

Program Requirements

The program requires:

• A total of 30 credits
• Major Requirements:
  • AFRS-GA 2000: Proseminar in Africana Studies (4 credits)
  • AMST-GA 3310: SCA Pro-Seminar: The Art of Research (4 credits)
• Electives: 22 credits of Africana Studies Electives
• At least 24 credits must be within SCA. No more than 6 credits may be transferred from other graduate schools.

Capstone

To qualify for the M.A. degree, students must write a thesis at the conclusion of their final semester of coursework. The thesis should be based upon original research and should approximately be 40 to 60 pages in length, determined in consultation with the thesis advisor.

Sample Plan of Study

A sample plan of study is provided, outlining the courses and credits for each semester:

• 1st Semester: AFRS-GA 2000 (4 credits), Africana Studies Elective (4 credits), Africana Studies Elective (4 credits) (12 credits)
• 2nd Semester: AMST-GA 3310 (4 credits), Africana Studies Elective (4 credits), Africana Studies Elective (4 credits) (12 credits)
• 3rd Semester: Africana Studies Elective (4 credits) (4 credits)
• 4th Semester: AFRS-GA 3210 (2 credits) (2 credits)
• Total Credits: 30

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will have:

1. Development of literacy in a range of transdisciplinary research methods appropriate to the field of Africana Studies.
2. Ability to critically analyze, apply, and discuss theories, concepts, and critical issues in the field.
3. Proficiency in written and oral communication appropriate to the field.
4. Demonstration of mastery of one or more research methodologies in the production of work of publishable quality.
5. The ability to make a significant contribution based upon original research to the field of interdisciplinary Africana Studies.

Policies

• NYU Policies: University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.
• Graduate School of Arts and Science Policies: Academic Policies for the Graduate School of Arts and Science can be found on the Academic Policies page.