Africana Studies Program
If you’re passionate about understanding the experiences, histories, and cultural contributions of people of African descent, the Africana Studies program in the IU School of Liberal Arts gives you a powerful interdisciplinary foundation. You’ll explore the African diaspora—communities formed through global migrations—and examine the history, culture, creative traditions, and social movements of people of African descent across Africa, the Americas, and beyond.
What makes this program especially rewarding is the chance to study these topics in Indianapolis—a city filled with museums, arts organizations, cultural centers, and community partners that welcome student involvement. The city becomes an extension of your classroom, giving you opportunities to connect your coursework with hands on experiences, local projects, and professional pathways.
Whether you choose an undergraduate or graduate minor or an undergraduate certificate, the Africana Studies program helps you build strong analytical and communication skills while deepening your understanding of global history and culture. These strengths translate well into careers in education, journalism, law, public policy, government, community development, international relations, public health, social services, and the arts. The program offers a meaningful way to expand your perspective, sharpen your academic toolkit, and take advantage of the opportunities that come with studying in a vibrant, growing city like Indianapolis.
Undergraduate
Minor in Africana Studies
A minor in Africana Studies complements any major and lets you to explore the histories, cultures, and lived experiences of people of Africa and the African Diaspora through an interdisciplinary lens.
You’ll examine how Black communities across the world have shaped—and continue to shape—global culture, politics, religion, literature, and social movements. You’ll build a strong foundation of knowledge through courses such as Introduction to African American and African Diaspora Studies and Globalization, Struggle, and Empowerment in the African Diaspora. You’ll also take electives spanning Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and North America, help you gain a broader, more meaningful understanding. Whether you’re drawn to topics like African civilizations, Caribbean literature, Black theatre, African American politics, or jazz history, you’ll have the flexibility to tailor the minor to your interests.
Throughout, you will develop skills that help you think critically about identity, power, culture, and global connections. You learn to analyze complex issues, engage thoughtfully with many perspectives, and communicate your ideas with clarity—abilities that strengthen your preparation for careers in education, public service, community engagement, the arts, health fields, and beyond. If you’re curious about the global Black experience and eager to deepen your understanding of the world, the Africana Studies minor gives you a powerful and enriching way to expand your academic journey.
Certificate in African Studies
An undergraduate certificate in African Studies gives you the chance to explore the histories, cultures, and contemporary experiences of people across the African continent and the African Diaspora. The certificate in African Studies is broader and more in depth than the minor in Africana Studies.
Through courses such as Introduction to African Studies, African Politics, Arab Histories, and 20th Century African Literature, you gain a broad understanding of Africa’s past and present—its societies, religions, economies, environments, and global connections. This certificate pairs easily with any major and is especially valuable if you’re preparing for careers in fields like health, business, engineering, law, or international work where knowledge of Africa’s varied cultures and communities can make a meaningful difference.
As you move through the certificate program, you build the ability to think critically about the experiences of people of African descent around the world. You learn to understand the foundations of Africana Studies as a discipline, explore major texts and theories, and practice proven methods of inquiry. You also develop practical skills like researching, organizing, and producing strong written or multimedia projects on topics that matter.
Completing the certificate prepares you to engage thoughtfully with global issues, contribute informed perspectives in your field, and bring a deeper cultural awareness to whatever career path you pursue.
Graduate
Ph.D. minor in Africana Studies
Students pursuing a Ph.D. in another program at IU Indianapolis can add a minor in Africana Studies. This Ph.D. minor is designed for graduate students across disciplines who want to incorporate the study of African and African descended experiences in Africa and the Americas into their academic or professional goals.
You’ll engage with courses such as Introduction to Africana Studies, Africana Critical Theories, and Theorizing Feminisms: The Black Woman Cross Culturally. You can also explore electives like Black Arts Movements and Critical Literacy, Theories of Africana Thought, or special topics such as Survive, Breathe, Thrive: Black Health and the Humanities, all offered through the IU School of Liberal Arts in Indianapolis.
A strong career foundation
A solid education in Africana Studies gives you a flexible foundation you can take in multiple directions. You build strong skills in research, writing, and analysis while exploring the histories, cultures, and global experiences of people of African descent. That combination prepares you for roles in education, media, public policy, community organizations, the arts, and other fields where understanding people and interpreting complex issues really matter.
If you’re thinking about graduate school or a research-focused path, the degree also sets you up well for advanced study in areas like history, sociology, anthropology, political science, public health, or Africana Studies itself. You come away with the tools to ask big questions, work across disciplines, and contribute to academic or professional conversations that shape how we understand the world.
More information
For questions about any of these academic offerings, contact the Africana Studies director, Les Etienne.
