Information for Students

Resources for Students

Africana Links: web resources in Africana Studies, African American History, and the study of the African diaspora.

Africana Studies: Your Window to the World

Students major in Africana Studies to increase their awareness, understanding, and appreciation for the history, cultures, and contributions of peoples of African descent. In situations involving intensive contact with persons of African descent, such as in the fields of education, health, psychology, social work, and criminal justice, an Africana Studies major or minor gives students particular advantages in the job market. For example, students acquire cultural competencies and increase their historical awareness of African and African diasporic populations. This crucial knowledge heightens their understanding of the contemporary socio-political dynamics in the communities where they live and work. Many students choose to take a double major in Africana Studies and another discipline, in order to further enhance their career and professional goals.

Africana Studies majors often pursue graduate studies leading to the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees, and professional careers in law and medicine. A degree in Africana Studies can enable a student to secure employment overseas, in Africa, the Caribbean, andLatin America.

Honors Society

Outstanding students are eligible for induction into the Africana Studies Honor Society, Morani Shujaa. 

Student Clubs

All students interested in Africana Studies are welcome to join the Department's major club, Ujamaa Weusi. Many students also become members of the Caribbean Students Association and the African Student Union.

Awards and Honors

Students are eligible for the following awards in recognition of outstanding scholarship and contribution to Africana Studies:

• The Jane Harris Award;
• The Clarence Paul Fenton Scholarship;
• The Neville Andrews, Sr. Scholarship;
• The San Diego Foundation Family Trust Fund Scholarship;
• The Walford I. Edwards Scholarship.

Consult the Department for details on these awards. Student who qualify for departmental honors are required to take BLS 481: Honor Project.