COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Arts in African American Studies is a shared degree offered by The University of Alabama and The University of Alabama at Birmingham, requiring students to complete all university, college, and departmental requirements, along with an approved minor and enough coursework to reach a minimum of 120 semester credit hours. The major itself consists of 33 credit hours, including 15 hours from a selection of core courses such as Introduction to African American Studies, The Black Church, Education of Southern Blacks, Social Inequality, and Black Intellectual Thought, along with special topics or independent study options. In addition, students must complete 18 hours of electives, which can include approved courses from related disciplines like history, communication, literature, political science, religion, and social work, especially when focused on African American or racial topics. The program emphasizes flexibility while maintaining academic depth, allowing students to explore interdisciplinary perspectives. A minimum GPA of 2.0 in the major is required for graduation, and students must complete at least 12 hours of upper-level (300- or 400-level) courses in residence at either university, with at least 18 upper-level hours total in the major, including 9 hours at the 400 level. There are no ancillary course requirements, but completing a minor is mandatory. Students are responsible for meeting all academic requirements and are expected to work closely with academic advisers for proper planning and registration. Most upper-level courses require junior standing or instructor permission, ensuring students are adequately prepared for advanced study in the field.