The AAS program provides a solid liberal arts education as well as broad exposure to African and African-American history and culture. Departmental offerings vary from year to year, but currently these departments include anthropology, art history, drama, economics, English, French, government and foreign affairs, history, linguistics, music, philosophy, psychology, religious studies, Slavic, and sociology. Each year, the AAS program also supports the teaching of special AAS seminars by visiting scholars. These faculty are available as advisors to AAS majors and minors. Although there are distributional requirements within the AAS major, students have a great deal of freedom in shaping the major to reflect their particular area, topical, and disciplinary interests.
Students also have ample opportunity for independent study with faculty members.
In addition, some students study abroad in Africa or the Caribbean through the University or other programs, and receive credit in the AAS major for such experiences. Graduates with a degree in African-American and African studies use their interdisciplinary training and skills as a basis for a wide variety of careers. Recent graduates are pursuing professions in such fields as law, international development, teaching, social work, small and corporate business, banking, and public administration. Every year AAS majors also begin graduate training, including M.A. and Ph.D. programs in the humanities and social sciences, law school, and medical school. Consider an AAS major a springboard from which anything is possible.