Africana Studies B.A.

University Admissions - College of Arts and Sciences

Admission to the University is based on the University’s Undergraduate Admission Requirements that may be found by clicking on the following urls:

• Freshman: https://www.usf.edu/admissions/freshmen/admission-information/requirements-deadlines.aspx

• Transfer: https://www.usf.edu/admissions/transfer/admission-information/index.aspx

• International: https://www.usf.edu/admissions/international/admission-information/index.aspx

For Admission information specific to the College of Arts and Sciences, see the information at College of Arts and Sciences .

Graduation Requirements - College of Arts and Sciences

Satisfactory completion of the following requirements:

• Students must complete all State and University level graduation requirements.
• Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 in USF coursework. Note: Some Departments/program/major require a higher GPA. Students should refer to Department/program/major specific catalog requirements.
  • The College may approve an exception when a student has successfully earned the minimum grade required for all courses applied in the major but does not have a major GPA of 2.0.
• Physical Education coursework is limited to two (2) semester hours.
• ROTC courses that are primarily physical training and field experiences will not be applied to College of Arts and Sciences degree programs. All other military Science coursework will apply, in particular, coursework utilized toward completing an established ROTC minor will be applied to the total hours toward degree. 
• When earning a second degree, double major or concurrent degree, the Major Core and Major Elective/Concentration areas of the degree audit must not overlap for both degrees.  All other areas of the degree audit may have overlapping credit hours applied.
• Maximum of 20 hours of S/U option. S/U contracts must be negotiated in writing within the first three (3) weeks of the term. None of the 20 credits may be taken in the student’s major unless S/U is the only grading option. Coursework fulfilling the General Education Core Curriculum Requirements and the State Communication Requirement (formerly known as Gordon Rule Writing) and State Computation Requirement (formerly known as Gordon Rule Math) may not be taken S/U.
• The Audit option is available only during the first 5 days of classes.
• Complete all major course requirements.
• College of Arts and Sciences students are expected to complete a minimum of 50% of their major and/or minor coursework in residence at USF. Some College of Arts and Sciences Departments/programs/majors have established additional major course hours to be taken in residency at USF. See the major or program section of the catalog for these credit-hour requirements.

Required Courses: (36 credit hours)

State Mandated Common Course Prerequisites - Africana Studies B.A.

Following Florida BOG Regulation 8.010, state mandated common course prerequisites are lower-division courses that are required for progression into the upper division of a particular baccalaureate degree program. 

Transfer students should complete the State Mandated Common Course Prerequisites at the lower level prior to entering the university. If these courses are not taken at a Florida College System institution, they must be completed before the degree is granted. Successful completion of the common prerequisites alone does not guarantee a student admission into the degree program. 

Unless stated otherwise, a grade of C- is the minimum acceptable grade in prerequisite courses.

There are no State Mandated Common Prerequisites for this program.

State Mathematics Pathway – Africana Studies B.A. (6 Credit Hours)

The Africana Studies B.A. uses the Mathematical Thinking in Context Mathematics Pathway with the following requirements:

• MGF 1130 - Mathematical Thinking Credit(s): 3
• MGF 1131 - Mathematical Thinking in Context Credit(s): 3

Major Core Courses: 3 courses; 9 credit hours

• AFA 2000 - Introduction to the Black Experience Credit(s): 3
• AFA 3110 - Key Issues in Black Thought Credit(s): 3
• AFA 4936 - Capstone in Africana Studies Credit(s): 3

Major Electives Courses: 7 courses; 21 credit hours

Students will take seven additional elective courses from the following list of courses:

• AFA 2380 - History and Theory of Genocide Credit(s): 3
• AFA 3932 - Contemporary Issues in Africana Studies Credit(s): 3
• AFA 4335 - Black Women in America Credit(s): 3
• AFA 4350 - African American Community Research Credit(s): 3
• AFA 4430 - Afro-Diasporic Literature and Political Movements Credit(s): 3
• AFA 4900 - Directed Readings Credit(s): 2-3
• AFA 4905 - Independent Study Credit(s): 1-3
• AFA 4931 - Selected Topics in Africana Studies Credit(s): 1-3
• AFH 3100 - African History to 1850 Credit(s): 3
• AFH 3200 - African History since 1850 Credit(s): 3
• AFS 2250 - Culture and Society in Africa Credit(s): 3
• AFS 4910 - Individual Research Credit(s): 1-3
• AMH 3571 - African American History to 1865 Credit(s): 3
• AMH 3572 - African American History since 1865 Credit(s): 3
• AML 3604 - African American Literature Credit(s): 3
• AMS 3700 - Racism in American Society Credit(s): 3
• ANT 4340 - The Caribbean Credit(s): 3
• FIL 4881 - Contemporary African American Filmmakers and Race Credit(s): 3
• LAS 3002 - Latin America Credit(s): 3
• LAS 3116 - Latin America Through Film Credit(s): 3
• LAS 4934 - Selected Topics: Latin American Studies Credit(s): 1-3
• LAS 4940 - Internship in Latin American and the Caribbean Credit(s): 1-9
• PHM 4120 - Major Black Thinkers Credit(s): 3

• Other courses may be vetted for approval as electives for the Africana Studies degree. Please see the undergraduate advisor or the Africana Studies Undergraduate Director for further information.

Africana Studies B.A. - Additional Information

Research Opportunities - College of Arts and Sciences

All undergraduate students in any degree program can participate in undergraduate research. There are a number of options to receive academic credit for a mentored research experience and to have the experience show on the official transcript. Students who wish to enroll in an undergraduate research course should consult with their academic advisor to understand how the credit will apply towards the degree requirements. If no credit is needed, students may be eligible to enroll in the 0-credit IDS 2912 , IDS 4914 , or IDS 4910  courses. These courses will not impact degree credits or GPA but will show on an official transcript and document the experience. The Office of High Impact Practices and Undergraduate Research will assist students in understanding the various course options (https://www.usf.edu/undergrad/hipur/index.aspx).

Advising Information - College of Arts and Sciences

Undergraduate Advising Information

The College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) Advising Team provides students with support to create timely graduation plans that will integrate both their academic and professional goals.  Each of our undergraduate programs has dedicated professional advisors with specialized knowledge and understanding of the major requirements, course offerings, undergraduate research, and career opportunities in their field.  Additionally, we have dedicated pre-health and prelaw advisors to help students prepare for admission to professional graduate programs.

CAS Academic Advisor Contact information can be found here: CAS Advisors

To schedule an advising appointment: Advising Appointments

Plans of Study - Africana Studies B.A.

•  Africana Studies B.A. - 2 Year Plan of Study  
•  Africana Studies B.A. - 4 Year Plan of Study