MA Requirements Stony Brook University,
Requirements for the Master of Arts Degree in Africana Studies:
In addition to the minimum Graduate School requirements, the Africana Studies Department has
specific degree requirements. The M.A. degree requires a total of 30 graduate course credits
with an overall minimum D GPA of 3.0. Eighteen (18) of these credits will be in the AFS Graduate
Core Curriculum. Twelve (12) credits may be part of an elective mix of AFS graduate courses
and graduate courses taken outside the AFS department. The 12 credits may include a research
thesis; tutorials; or Study Abroad.
The following describe the courses you will be taking:
Foundation Courses
Foundations in Africana Studies I, II
AFS 500; AFS 501 (6 credits)
Research Methods in Africana Studies
Research Methods in Africana Studies:
AFS 502 (3 credits)
Graduate Courses: (9 credits)
AFS 530 The World of Atlantic Slavery
AFH 524 The Politics of Identity in African Diasporic Literature
AFH 547 Topics in Non-Western Art
AFS 550 Women of Color in the Modern World
AFS 560 African Cultures and Civilizations
AFS 540 20th Century U.S.A.-Black Views and Perspectives
AFS 562 Introduction to Modem African History
AFH 528 Contemporary African Diasporic Literature & Film
AFH/AFS 570 Special Topics in AFS
AFH 520 The Caribbean and the Literary Imagination
Africana Studies Suggested Elective Courses
Additional 12 credits chosen in consultation with the student's advisor: may include a thesis option comprising 6-credit thesis research (AFS/ AFH 599) and 6 credits of electives, or a non-thesis option of 12 credits; electives in both options may include tutorials and study abroad program.
HIS 562 Intro to Modern African History
PHI 501 Theories of Race
MUS 541 Music & Race: Black Music
MUS 507 African Music
PHI 504 Intersection of Race, Class, and Gender
Suggested Course Sequence for the MA in Africana Studies
First Year - Fall Semester
AFS 500 Foundations in Africana Studies I
(3 credits)
AFS 502 Research Methods in AFS
(3 credits)
One course from the following
(3 credits)
AFS 530; AFH 524; AFH 547; AFS 550; AFS 560
and I course with approval of advisor
(3 credits)
Total
(12 credits)
First Year - Spring Semester
AFS 501 Foundations in Africana Studies II 3 credits
Three courses from the following
(9 credits)
AFS 540; AFS/HIS 562
AFH 528; AFH/AFS 570; AFH 520 or I course with approval of advisor
Total
(12 credits)
Second Year – Fall & Spring Semester (Thesis Writing and/
or written Comprehensive Exam)
Thesis option:
AFS 599 x 2
(6 credits)
Non-thesis options:
Electives chosen in consultation with student's advisor
(6 credits)
Study Abroad
(6 credits)
Oral Comprehensive Exam:
Examination Questions Written by Faculty
(12 Credits)
