The Certificate Program of the Department of Africana Studies offers a wide range of courses to students and members of the community who would like to enrich their knowledge of African and African American experiences. The required courses are divided into six clusters: (i) General Introductory Courses (ii) Economics, Politics, Religion and Philosophy; (iii) Education, Psychology and Social Work; (iv) History; (v) Language and Literature; (vi) Art, Music & Dance. The Program requires completion of eighteen credits (six courses) selected from the course clusters. Courses with asterisks are also available on-line.

The Africana Studies Certificate Program intends to benefit those who serve the African American communities and institutions such as the NAACP, National Urban League, Flint Area Coalition to End Racism (FACTER) and others. The Program also aims to serve K-12 school teachers in mid-Michigan. The Staff of the University of Michigan-Flint and Colleges in the Flint area could also benefit from the Program. To accommodate the needs of the participants from the community, the scheduling of the Certificate Program courses will be as flexible as possible. Most of the courses will be offered at night and on Saturdays to enable teachers and full time workers to take advantage of the Program. Courses will also be offered during the regular workdays for those who may not be able to attend evening or weekend classes.

Enhancing the mission of the Department of Africana Studies at the University of Michigan-Flint, the Certificate Program is designed to prepare students for the ever-demanding needs to engage and function in a culturally diverse society. The goal of the Certificate Program is to address the historical and contemporary issues in Africana Studies and introduce students to the latest developments in the field.

Program Objectives

1. To provide opportunities for traditional and non-traditional students to explore a wide range of disciplines including: economics, political science, religion, philosophy, education, sociology, history, language, literature, art, music, theater, and dance as they pertain to Africa and people of African descent.
2. To introduce students to the field of Africana Studies by providing current and up to date information and data in each area of study.
3. To increase student knowledge and appreciation of the contributions of peoples of African descent to world civilizations.
4. To eliminate racial and ethnic stereotyping while fostering genuine inquiry into diverse cultures.
5. To provide authentic and relevant resources that students will be able to utilize in their various professional endeavors to increase awareness of the merits of a multicultural society.
6. To provide teachers with more resources that could facilitate their teaching and help them serve their students better.

Admission to the Certificate Program does not have any prerequisites.

1. General Introductory Courses (One Course)
   

   *AFA 101	Introduction to Africana Studies
   AFA 221	Introduction to African History and Culture (new course)
   AFA 235	Introduction to African American History
   AFA 206	Introduction to African Literature (new course)

2. Economics, Politics, Religion and Philosophy (One Course)
   

   *AFA 360/POL 343	Conflict and Development in Southern Africa
   AFA/ANT/PHL 203	Origins of Modern Racism
   AFA/ECN 244	The Economics of the Black Community
   AFA 358	The History of African American Religion
   AFA/PHL 205	African Religions and Philosophy
   AFA 220	Africana Theories of Knowledge

3. Education, Psychology and Social Work (One Course)
   

   AFA/PSY 219	Psychology of the Black Experience
   *AFA/SOC/WGS 359	The Black Family
   AFA 361	Health Issues and Black Americans
   AFA/EDU/SOC 375	Community Building Through Educational Involvement
   AFA/EDU 399	Africana Studies for Teachers
   AFA/SOC/EDU 452	Sociology of Education
   AFA 475	Study Tour of Africa/African Diaspora

4. History (One Course)
   

   AFA/HIS 230	Africa to the 1870s
   *AFA/HIS 231	Africa in Modern Times
   AFA/HIS 286	Muslims in North America
   AFA 320	Contemporary East African History
   AFA 322	History of West Africa and the Atlantic World
   AFA/HIS 334	History of Ethnic and Racial Minorities in the United States
   AFA/HIS 335	History of the African Americans
   AFA/HIS 435	Black America since the Civil War

5. Language and Literature (One Course)
   

   AFA/CPL 319	Survey of African Literature
   AFA/CPL/WGS 218	Black Women Writers of the World
   AFA 208	African Oral Literature (new course)
   AFA 210	African Language (new course)
   AFA 212	Modern African Drama and Poetry (new course)
   *AFA/ENG 215	Survey of African American Literature

6. Art, Music & Dance (One Course)
   

   AFA/THE 239	Drama of the Harlem Renaissance
   *AFA/THE 242	Contemporary Black Theatre in America
   AFA/ART 308	African Art
   AFA/MUS 313	African American Music
   AFA/MUS 202	African Music and Culture

Having completed courses in six areas within the Africana Studies Program, certificate candidates will complete a final project that will culminate in a synthesis of ideas from any three of the courses they have taken. This project may consist of:

1. A 25 page research paper.
2. A creative work in art, dance, theatre, or literature
3. A community service project incorporating information about Africa and/or African Americans.
4. A portfolio of resources and ideas in the area of the student's specialization.