Pan African Studies
The University of Akron's Pan African studies takes an interdisciplinary approach to understanding Afro-centric philosophy and world views. This approach encompasses analyzing African and African-American history from a social, psychological and cultural context. This approach provides students with a framework to compare and contrast the experiences of African and African American people past, present, and future and their contributions across academic disciplines and professions.
Students pursuing the Pan African Studies certificate should:
- Be fully admitted to the University of Akron as an undergraduate or post-baccalaureate student.
- Fill out the Pan African Studies Certificate Program Application
- Turn in completed application to the Dr. Sheldon Wrice, Program Director.
- Complete a total of 15 credit hours (6 credit hours of required courses and 9 credit hours of elective courses).
Pan African Studies (PAFS)
PAFS 201 Introduction to Pan-African Studies (3 Units)
Prerequisite: ENGL 112. An interdisciplinary study from an Afrocentric perspective of African and African diaspora experiences. The course will focus on central issues related to the discipline. (Formerly 3002:201)
Gen Ed: Domestic Diversity
PAFS 252 The Black Experience 1619-1918 (3 Units)
Prerequisite: ENGL 112. This course explores ideas, people and events which will allow the class to re-think their individual and collective beliefs regarding Africa, Africans, and African-Americans as well as Black people throughout the Diaspora. More specifically, the period of 1619 to 1918 examines the origins of African-Americans beginning with their unwilling departure from West Africa, slavery, abolition, the Civil War, emancipation, reconstruction, historical achievements and striving to achieve first class citizenship in America. (Formerly 3002:252)
Gen Ed: Social Science, Domestic Diversity
PAFS 253 The Black Experience 1918-Present (3 Units)
Prerequisite: ENGL 112. This course explores ideas, people and events which will allow students to re-think their individual and collective beliefs about Africa, Africans and African-Americans as well as Black people throughout the Diaspora. More specifically, the period of 1918 to Present examines the experiences of African-Americans following the Reconstruction. Topics include, but are not limited to, separate but equal doctrine, the civil rights movement, Black nationalism, segregation, desegregation and integration as strategies to ameliorate discrimination and achieve equal opportunity. (Formerly 3002:253)
Gen Ed: Social Science, Domestic Diversity
PAFS 256 Diversity in American Society (3 Units)
Prerequisite: ENGL 112. Survey course covering demographic, social, economic, political, and educational realities of diversity in 21st Century. Focus on diversity and unity, historical overview. (Formerly 3002:256)
Ohio Transfer 36: Yes
Gen Ed: Domestic Diversity, Social Science
PAFS 301 Civil Rights Movement in America: 1945-1974 (3 Units)
Social and political actions, events and environment which produces civil rights movement in America. Legal, political and organizational strategies; philosophical arguments; prominent civil rights activists. (Formerly 3002:301)
PAFS 401 Seminar in Afro-American Studies (3 Units)
Prerequisite: HIST 361. Exploration and intensive examination of variety of issues related to role and minority group relations which normally stand outside the compass of any one subject matter area. (Formerly 3002:401)
PAFS 405 African American Men's History and Studies (3 Units)
This course will examine the experiences of the African American Men from a historical, socio-economic, philosophical, religious/spiritual, psychological standpoint. (Formerly 3002:405)
PAFS 410 African American Religious Experience (3 Units)
This course explores the diversity of African American religious beliefs, experiences, and expressions from the colonial era to the present. (Formerly 3002:410)
PAFS 420 Special Topics in Afro-American Studies (1-3 Units)
(May be repeated for a maximum of three semester credits). Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. (Formerly 3002:420)
PAFS 498 Independent Study: Pan-African (1-3 Units)