The concentration in African American and Diaspora Studies requires 36 credit hours of course work. Approved courses taken at Fisk University may be counted as electives in the program. The course of study in the African American and Diaspora Studies program is divided into three areas: Area of Study I, Gender and Sexuality; Area of Study II, Literature, Theory, and Visual Culture; and Area of Study III, Social Sciences. Courses that satisfy each area are listed under "Areas of Study and Electives" below.
Program of Concentration in African American and Diaspora Studies
Requirements for the major include at least 36 hours of credit as follows:
- 3 credit hours from 1010, Introduction to African American and Diaspora Studies.
- 6 credit hours from Area of Study I, Gender and Sexuality.
- 6 credit hours from Area of Study II, Literature, Theory, and Visual Culture.
- 6 credit hours from Area of Study III, Social Sciences.
- 12 credit hours of electives chosen from Areas of Study I, II, and III, not used to satisfy requirements 2 through 4 above.
- 3 credit hours in either 4978 (fall) or 4979 (spring), Senior Thesis in African American and Diaspora Studies.
At least 6 credit hours of the concentration must focus on the Americas (outside of the United States) and/or Africa. No more than 9 credit hours of course work may be taken at the 1000 level (excluding 1010).
Honors Program
The only route to honors in the major is writing a 3-credit hour Senior Honors Thesis in AADS 4998 (fall) or 4999 (spring) and passing an oral examination. Admission to the Honors Program requires a student have a grade point average of at least 3.5 in all AADS courses and a cumulative GPA of 3.3. A committee of three faculty members (two of whom must be involved in undergraduate teaching in the African American and Diaspora Studies program) will evaluate the thesis. Students pursuing the Senior Honors Thesis may apply to the program for nominal funding to assist with research projects. The chair of the student's thesis committee and two readers must attend the oral examination. The oral defense will typically take place in the second semester of the student's senior year.
Minor in African American and Diaspora Studies
Requirements for completion of the minor include at least 21 credit hours as follows:
- 3 credit hours in 1010, Introduction to African American and Diaspora Studies.
- 3 credit hours from Area of Study I, Gender and Sexuality.
- 3 credit hours from Area of Study II, Literature, Theory, and Visual Culture.
- 3 credit hours from Area of Study III, Social Sciences.
- 9 credit hours of electives chosen from Areas of Study I, II, and III, not used to satisfy requirements 2 through 4 above.
At least 6 credit hours of the minor must focus on the Americas (outside of the United States) and/or Africa, and no more than 6 credit hours of the minor can be taken at the 1000 level (excluding 1010).
