The certificate in African American studies introduces undergraduate students to the interdisciplinary study of African American, African diaspora and African history, society, and culture. Students may choose courses in African American history, literature, black women’s studies, art history, visual culture, music history, and sociology. The certificate offers students opportunities to engage in interdisciplinary study and practice that will complement their major and enhance their intellectual and creative participation in their chosen professions and as citizens in our global society.
How to Get in
To declare a certificate in African American Studies, students must be enrolled as an undergraduate at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Interested students must contact the department’s undergraduate adviser to declare the certificate and be assigned a faculty adviser in their area of interest. Students may not declare both the certificate and the major in African American studies.
Requirements
Certificate students must plan with a faculty adviser a cohesive program consisting of 15 credits chosen from undergraduate AFROAMER courses.
- At least one 3-credit course must focus on Afro-American history (see list below).
- A minimum of 9 credits must be completed from AFROAMER courses numbered 300–699.
- At least one 3-credit course must be advanced (AFROAMER 500–697).
- A maximum of 3 credits of directed study (AFROAMER 699) may count toward the certificate.
- Students may not substitute courses from other academic programs or subject listings to fulfill the requirements for this program
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| All certificate students must take one 3-credit course in Afro-American history: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Afro-American History | ||
| Race and American Politics from the New Deal to the New Right | ||
| Undergraduate Studies in Afro-American History | ||
| Afro-American History Since 1900 | ||
| Afro-American History to 1900 | ||
| Black Women in America: Reconstruction to the Present | ||
| Race and Gender in Post-World War II U.S. Society | ||
| Slavery, Civil War, and Reconstruction, 1848-1877 | ||
| African American Women's Activism (19th & 20th Centuries) | ||
| Gender, Race and the Civil Rights Movement | ||
| History of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States | ||
| Colloquium in Afro-American History | ||
| Selected Topics in Afro-American History | ||
| AFROAMER electives to meet the minimum credit requirement for the certificate | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Residence & Quality of Work
- At least 8 credits must be completed in residence.
- Minimum 2.500 GPA on all certificate courses.
- Courses taken pass/fail or credit/no credit may not apply to the certificate.
Certificate Completion Requirement
This undergraduate certificate must be completed concurrently with the student’s undergraduate degree. Students cannot delay degree completion to complete the certificate.
Learning Outcomes
- To familiarize students with the history, culture and social conditions of African Americans in the United States.
- To introduce students to an interdisciplinary approach to the study of race, gender, and ethnicity in America.
- To prepare students for careers in institutions that address the needs of multicultural communities.
Advising and Careers
Professor Sandra Adell, Certificate Advisor
saadell@wisc.edu
608-262-0425
4115 Helen C. White Hall
DARS is the document of record for the Afro-American studies certificate. Students should contact the certificate advisor to make sure they are on track to completing the program and to get confirmation of completion of the certificate.
Main Office
Department of African American Studies
4141 Helen C. White Hall
600 N. Park St., Madison, WI 53706
Phone: 608-263-1642
Fax: 608-263-7198
L&S Career Resources
Every L&S major opens a world of possibilities. SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science helps students turn the academic skills learned in their major, certificates, and other coursework into fulfilling lives after graduation, whether that means jobs, public service, graduate school or other career pursuits.
In addition to providing basic support like resume reviews and interview practice, SuccessWorks offers ways to explore interests and build career skills from their very first semester/term at UW all the way through graduation and beyond.
Students can explore careers in one-on-one advising, try out different career paths, complete internships, prepare for the job search and/or graduate school applications, and connect with supportive alumni and even employers in the fields that inspire them.
- SuccessWorks
- Set up a career advising appointment
- Enroll in a Career Course - a great idea for first- and second-year students:
- INTER-LS 210 L&S Career Development: Taking Initiative (1 credit)
- INTER-LS 215 Communicating About Careers (3 credits, fulfills Comm B General Education Requirement)
- Learn about internships and internship funding
- INTER-LS 260 Internship in the Liberal Arts and Sciences
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- Learn about the impact SuccessWorks has on students' lives