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African American Studies

African American Studies Emphasis

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Department of History Home Page History Degree Pathways History History Education African American Studies Emphasis Course Descriptions Faculty

Centering Black Lives. Cultivating Critical Minds.

The African American Studies Emphasis at Tougaloo College is an interdisciplinary journey through the lived experiences, cultural contributions, and ongoing struggles of African-descended peoples. Rooted in the legacy of Black intellectual thought and social activism, this program empowers students to challenge injustice, reclaim narratives, and lead with purpose in any field they choose.

Course Descriptions

The African American Studies Emphasis combines core historical study with interdisciplinary electives that reflect the richness and complexity of Black life. Students engage with African civilizations, the African Diaspora, U.S. racial politics, and Black cultural expression through literature, music, philosophy, religion, and social science. This emphasis enhances any major with a deeper understanding of race, resistance, and representation.

Course Descriptions: African American Studies Emphasis

The African American Studies emphasis analyzes and explains the contributions of African-descended peoples to American and world cultures from antiquity to the present. It emphasizes African civilizations, the global African Diaspora, and the ongoing social, cultural, and political challenges faced by African Americans in contemporary society.

Core Courses (12 Credit Hours Required)

Students must complete four of the following courses:

A survey of African civilizations, including pre-colonial empires, the impact of European colonization, and the emergence of modern African nations.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
Covers the African background through the Civil War era, including slavery, resistance, and early Black leadership.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
Explores post-Civil War Black history, including Reconstruction, the Civil Rights Movement, and contemporary social justice struggles.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
Examines key events, ideologies, and leaders of the modern Civil Rights Movement from WWII through the Meredith March Against Fear in 1966.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
Explores specific themes or eras in African American history, such as the history of the blues, Black cinema, or the Civil War.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS Offered each semester
An in-depth study of topics such as pre-colonial African kingdoms, resistance to colonization, or Pan-Africanism.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
 

Elective Courses (Choose 6 Credit Hours)

Students must select two courses from the following list:

Studies the visual arts created by African Americans, with attention to major artists, movements, and cultural context.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
Examines religious traditions in African American communities and their role in shaping identity, resistance, and liberation theology.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
Surveys the development of Black music genres and their influence on American culture, including spirituals, jazz, blues, hip hop, and R&B.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
Analyzes the historical and contemporary structures of racial inequality in the U.S. with a focus on systemic racism, identity, and resistance.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
Total: 18 credit hours (12 core + 6 electives)

Ready to Apply?

Join a legacy of scholars, leaders, and changemakers. Whether you're passionate about uncovering the past, teaching future generations, or shaping policy and justice—your journey begins in the Department of History at Tougaloo College.

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