Program Requirements

The Africana Studies Concentration consists of six courses.
A concentrator's program normally begins with the introductory interdisciplinary course (offered annually), to be followed by five courses from those offered each year at the College.  At least one of the remaining five courses must be Pan-African related (i.e., non-African American). Concentrators may take no more than three coursees from a single discipline and no more than two courses within his or her major.

To apply, please complete the application form available at the Center for Interdisciplinary and Special Studies (CISS) in Smith 329.  You will be notified of the Committee's decision as soon as possible and assigned a Concentration advisor at that time.

Planning Your Program
Students are urged to consult with their Concentration advisor about augmenting their studies by taking courses in Latin American subjects, Women's Studies, minority studies of any kind, or those which have Africana Studies as a substantial component, for example:

History
History of the Civil War and Reconstruction
American Urban History
Central America & the Hispanic Caribbean
Race and Ethnicity Latin America

Political Science
Political and Social Movements
Public Policy
Politics of Development (3rd World)

Students are encouraged to work with their Concentration advisors to plan creative, individualized courses of study structured toward a coherent concluding project.  With prior written approval from the Africana Studies Committee, students may use a wide array of curricular options -- at Holy Cross or other academic institutions -- to fulfill the requirements for the Concentration.

For example, students may arrange tutorials and academic internships at Holy Cross and enroll in courses at Worcester Consortium colleges. In addition, students have the option of applying for a semester's study at an historically Black college or university, such as Howard or Spelman.  Students may also apply for junior year Study Abroad at universities in Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean.

Graduating seniors are eligible to submit work for the annual Carter G. Woodson Prize for outstanding scholarly or artistic achievement in Africana Studies.  All concentrators receive certificates indicating their successful completion of the Program and notification appears on their College transcripts.