Africana Studies (BA)

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Program Description

The program in Africana studies at New York University, part of the Department of Social and Cultural Analysis (SCA), is a multi-continental and interdisciplinary program devoted to scholarship on the histories, political and cultural movements, literatures, institutions, economies, and identities of Africans and the African Diaspora across the globe. Africa’s own overlapping modernities and the transnational migrations of its peoples—whether forced or voluntary—have complicated the meanings of “black” and “African” identities and experiences, prompting us to rethink the geographical boundaries and conceptual paradigms surrounding the production of knowledge about Africa and its diasporic communities in the 21st century. Accordingly, the program is a site for cross-cultural teaching and research in the histories, cultures, economies, politics, and practices of African Diasporas in Africa, the Americas (North and South), the Caribbean, Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, and the Middle East.

NYU's study away center in Ghana offers a rare opportunity for undergraduates to study in Africa. A range of Africana studies courses has been developed and is offered at NYU Accra.  The program maintains close relationships with the community programming and research activities of NYU's Institute of African-American Affairs and Africa House. Africana studies offers programs leading to BA and MA degrees, as well as a suite of joint MA programs with journalism, economics, and museum studies.

Honors Program

Majors who have completed 48 credits of graded work in CAS and have a 3.65 GPA or higher (both overall and in the major) are encouraged to register for Senior Honors Seminar (SCA-UA 92) in the fall semester of their senior year. Upon successful completion of the seminar requirement, students will be eligible to register for Senior Honors Thesis (SCA-UA 93) in the spring. For more information on the honors program, please visit the department's Honors Program website.

Study Away in Ghana

NYU's study away center in Ghana offers a rare opportunity for undergraduates to study in Africa. A range of Africana studies courses has been developed and is offered at NYU Accra.  The program maintains close relationships with the community programming and research activities of NYU's Institute of African-American Affairs and Africa House. Africana studies offers programs leading to BA and MA degrees, as well as a suite of joint MA programs with journalism, economics, and museum studies.

Admissions

New York University's Office of Undergraduate Admissions supports the application process for all undergraduate programs at NYU.  For additional information about undergraduate admissions, including application requirements, see How to Apply.