Department Website
Program Description
The Africana Studies Program in the Department of Social and Cultural Analysis offers a Master of Arts degree with a broad interdisciplinary curriculum in the study of Africans and Afro-descendants globally, focusing mainly in the following geographical areas: Africa, North America, Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East. Students can concentrate in any one of these areas, compare and contrast between two or more areas, or take courses in all five of these areas.
The Master of Arts Program in Africana Studies prepares students interested in applying for PhD programs in history, literature, American studies, anthropology, communications, political science, sociology, economics and cinema studies, and for careers in education, cultural institutions, documentation, and public service.
Additionally, an MA can be pursued as a joint degree with either Journalism, Economics, Library Information Science, or a concentration in Museum Studies. More information about the Africana MA and joint programs can be found in the Programs in Africana Studies page.
Admissions
All applicants to the Graduate School of Arts and Science (GSAS) are required to submit the general application requirements, which include:
See Africana Studies for admission requirements and instructions specific to this program.
Program Requirements
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| AFRS-GA 2000 | Proseminar in Africana Studies | 4 |
| AMST-GA 3310 | SCA Pro-Seminar: The Art of Research | 4 |
| 22 |
| Total Credits | 30 |
Additional Program Requirements
Capstone
To qualify for the M.A. degree, students must write a thesis at the conclusion of their final semester of coursework. By the beginning of the second semester students should select their thesis project advisor and confirm topic choice with advisor. By the end of the second semester students should submit a Thesis Proposal with summer research plan and chapters outlined. A first draft of the thesis should be submitted no later than two months into intended term of graduation (ex. Nov. for January graduates; March for May graduates). A final draft (approved by the advisor and a second reader) is due no later than two weeks prior to graduation deadline. The M.A. thesis should be based upon original research and should approximately 40 to 60 pages in length and determined in consultation with your thesis advisor.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will have:
- Development of literacy in a range of transdisciplinary research methods appropriate to the field of Africana Studies: a) textual analysis, 2) ethnography, c) historical analysis, d) data analysis.
- Ability to critically analyze, apply and discuss theories, concepts and critical issues in the field.
- Proficiency in written and oral communication appropriate to the field.
- Demonstration of mastery of one or more research methodologies in the production of work of publishable quality.
- The ability to make a significant contribution based upon original research to the field of interdisciplinary Africana Studies, and specifically the production of a thesis with particular emphasis on methods of historical, textual and ethnographic analysis.
Policies
NYU Policies
University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.
Graduate School of Arts and Science Policies
Academic Policies for the Graduate School of Arts and Science can be found on the Academic Policies page.