Home / Academics / Programs / Minor / African American Studies
African American Studies
The African American Studies minor engages students in the interdisciplinary study of African-American history and culture. This program emphasizes Black political, social, cultural, literary, and intellectual expression and the variety and scope of African American Studies as a discipline. Centering race as a category of analysis, courses explore Black experiences and perspectives in intersection with other facets of identity, including gender, class, sexuality, and nationality. The minor offers two possible tracks to completion, one accentuating community engagement and the other stressing research and writing.
Experiential Learning
In addition to classroom experiences, the African American Studies minor offers experiential learning opportunities in the form of internships, collaborative projects with museums and other community partners, guided research with program faculty, and leadership through the African American Studies program and student organizations.
Networking Opportunities
African American Studies minors have the opportunity to develop contacts with museums, community advocacy organizations, student groups, and visiting scholars.
Highlights
African American Studies minors developed an exhibit on the history of Black Pullman Porters in collaboration with the Wheels O’Time Museum and have contributed to displays on both local and national Black history and culture at the Peoria Riverfront Museum.
Minors who completed internships with the African American Studies Program have aided with visiting speakers, organized movie nights focused on Black history and culture, and researched the role of campus protest in the origins of African American Studies at Bradley University.
African American Studies minors praise the role of the program in developing their critical thinking skills, raising their social awareness, and strengthening their senses of identity and community.
Career Opportunities
The minor is especially well-suited to careers in government, museums, historical societies, higher and secondary education, social work, and non-profits. Additionally, a minor in African American Studies equips students with skills that are in demand by most employers, including: written and oral communication, critical thinking, and the cultural competency to navigate a diverse workplace and society.
Program Details
The African American Studies program currently offers two annual monetary awards to students who are pursuing the minor: one for the best piece of academic writing and the other for community engagement.
“I declared an African American Studies minor during the first semester of my freshman year, and it was one of the best decisions I’ve made at Bradley. The various courses I took encouraged me to be an incredible critical thinker, prompting me to analyze and discuss a great range of topics involving African Americans, including the history of systemic inequalities impacting the Black community, how they are portrayed in modern media and why, African American authors, and unsung truths of Black people’s contributions to American society. With the support of dedicated faculty members who are passionate and knowledgeable about what they teach, participating in the African American Studies program was a wonderfully challenging, unforgettable, and thought-provoking experience.”
(Anaiah D., English major)
“As a student pursuing the African American Studies minor, I have had the opportunity to intern for the AAS department. During my time, I planned and put on a movie night focused on African American/Black history and wrote an article about Bradley’s very own African American history. Classes that count towards the minor have broadened my knowledge of Black history and are quite fun, too!”
(Paris H., English major)
“I believe African American Studies is an important course that would benefit everyone. As an African American Studies minor, it has helped teach me an often-underrepresented part of history and my background. The knowledge I gained from this coursework is invaluable and a highlight of my college experience.”
(Makira D., History/Secondary Education Major)