Africana Studies
About Africana Studies
Our Program and Courses
You can major or minor in Africana Studies. You will study the beginnings of life in Africa, the Diaspora and its regions of origin, and the myriad contributions of Africans and Black Americans from throughout history. You’ll enjoy an intricately blended education, as numerous other F&M programs contribute to Africana Studies, including American studies, anthropology, economics, English, French, government, history, music, religious studies and sociology.
By the time you graduate, you will be able to demonstrate:
- A firm knowledge of the African Diaspora and its effects on people and cultures today.
- Understanding of the experiences, struggles, achievements, and triumphs of Africans and Black Americans.
- A grasp of race and systemic oppression throughout history.
- Awareness of the ways in which modern day culture is shaped and informed by the past.
- Critical and analytical thinking and the ability to communicate observations and discoveries through the printed and spoken word.
- The ability to collaborate effectively in a manner that translates to the professional arena.
Success Beyond F&M
Once you complete your degree, you might wonder what’s next. The intellectual and analytical activities that make up the work of Africana Studies — including interpreting, analyzing, collaborating with others, and critical thought — help you develop useful and productive skills valuable for entering graduate school or beginning your chosen career.
Graduate School
Our distinctive liberal arts education prepares graduates of Africana Studies to pursue advanced degrees. Many are enrolled in master’s and PhD programs in a variety of disciplines, including history and African American studies.
Career Paths
Africana studies graduates are fully prepared to enter a vast array of industries, including education, research, public administration and government. They hold positions such as:
- Grant Writer
- Historian
- Professor
Alumni Spotlight
“It made me feel like I belonged and was a part of something.”
“Participating in Apollo Night was a turning point for me, because it made me feel like I belonged and was a part of something,” Dominique, an Africana studies minor, said.
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Alumni Spotlight
“Having knowledge of our justice system and understanding how it works is power.”
“Injustices around me really pushed me to pursue law school,” Thomas said. “I learned very early on that knowledge is power. Having knowledge of our justice system and understanding how it works is power.”
Thomas said the connections he made at F&M provided mentorship and guidance from friends and faculty.
“F&M was really a community that pushed for me,” he said. “We held each other accountable and helped each other.”
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Take Your Next Step
May 4, 2026 For Robin Dominique ’26, a lifelong passion for dance gave her the chance to build connections and step into leadership roles during her time at F&M. “The ability to use movement to express identity, create community, and tell stories has been the most exciting part of all these experiences for me,” Dominique said. September 4, 2025 A Diplomat athlete’s reach extends beyond their impact on scoreboards and win-loss records. Kennedy Wilburn ’25 recently was named one of two Centennial Conference nominees for the NCAA's prestigious Woman of the Year Award. July 3, 2025 Robert Suite ’17 and Matthew Thomas ’19 first met at F&M. Their post-graduate paths led them both to Drexel School of Law. Follow their story of friendship and mentorship.Our Students & Alumni in the Spotlight
Robin Dominique Found Community & Leadership in the Spotlight at F&M
2025 Graduate and Dedicated Diplomat is Conference Finalist for NCAA Woman of the Year
Young Alumni Share Law School Journeys
Related Fields of Study
History
Embark on an enriching journey through time, exploring a vast range of geographic regions, topical themes, and time periods. By studying history at F&M, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of history and historical processes, and develop keen insight into how they have shaped the present and will influence the future.
Social Justice (Certificate)
This certificate synthesizes critical perspectives on the social systems and structures through which dynamics of power and inequality are created, maintained, contested, and transformed. At the intersections of race, gender, socioeconomic class, and sexuality, you will have the opportunity to meaningfully engage with historical and contemporary issues germane to struggles for equity and justice between and across social identity groups.
Sociology
One field of study engages in all sorts of questions about people, institutions, and social structures: sociology. How does power operate in society? How do politics shape our lives? How and why have family relationships changed over time? As a student of sociology, you will explore these interactions to better understand how they shape the world and cultures that we live in.