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The Africana
Studies Department focuses on theoretical, historical, and artistic
exploration of the culture, philosophy, and literature of Africa
and the African Diaspora, embracing North, Central, and South America
and the Caribbean and their historic and present linkages to continental
Africa. The department's
course offerings and other academic
activities are supplemented by extra-curricular activities which
emphasize the global reach and implications of Afro/Africana-America
without losing sight of the specific concerns of Afro/Africana-America
USA.
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An important outgrowth of the global
nature of the department's concerns is the emphasis placed on the
acquisition of competency in those languages in addition to English
which are spoken in the Africana Studies, French, Portuguese, and
Spanish. Since all these languages are taught at Brown, concentrators
are strongly urged to acquire competency, that is a minimum of two
semester's study, to enable them to avail themselves of the extensive
written material on the Africana-Americas available in these languages.
While no continental African language is presently offered at Brown,
students who study abroad and acquire certified competency in any
African language could petition the department for credit.
Concentrators
Concentrators are required
to complete at least eight courses in Africana Studies; these must
ordinarily include Africana Studies 9, 10, and at least one seminar
at the 100 level emphasizing research, bibliographic and writing
skills. Students are expected to gain familiarity with the various
disciplinary perspectives and the geographic areas covered in the
Department's offerings. Concentrators are also required to
elect at least six courses in one department of arts, sciences,
or humanities in order to develop disciplinary as well as interdisciplinary
competency. All concentrators are strongly urged to develop
foreign language skills. The program encourages foreign study,
preferably during the junior year. At least six courses offered
for the concentration must, however, be completed in the department
at Brown.
Honors Students with outstanding records may be admitted to the honors program. Working in
consultation with a faculty advisor, the student must prepare a plan of work before the end of
the junior year. The plan must be approved and signed by the faculty member who is to direct the
thesis. By the beginning of the senior year, the candidatefor honors is expected to have become
familiar with the major secondary works in the field. The candidate is expected to complete a research
paperof distinguished quality while enrolled in a 100-level seminar.
For students completing graduation
requirements in Semester I, such projects should be submitted by December 1st.
For students completing graduation requirements in Semester II, the project should be
submitted by April 20th. By the end of the fourth week of the concentrator's Seventh
Semester, a written proposal approved by the concentration advisor and a second reader must
be submitted to the concentration advisor. A progress report, prepared and signed by the
student and countersigned by the advisor must be presented to the concentration advisor.
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