Minor in African-American Studies

Through our minor in African-American Studies, you’ll gain a better understanding of our nation as a whole and African-Americans’ contribution to it.

You’ll explore how race, power, and resistance have shaped American society more broadly. You’ll also gain a meaningful and informed sense of events like Ferguson and Charlottesville, which swirl around our national consciousness and shape our politics and culture every day. In that sense, being an African-American Studies minor can make you a more informed citizen.

What You Will Learn

At its roots, African-American Studies instills students with:

critical thinking skills
intellectual dexterity
cultural competencies that will be valuable later in life
historical and modern contributions of African Americans to American life, culture, and politics

Program Requirements

Total Credits

Classes

REQUIRED COURSES

All students in this minor must take the following courses.

AFAM 100 Introduction to African American Studies (University Core Curriculum)
AFAM 200 African American Studies Theory and Methods
AFAM 400 African American Studies Capstone

ELECTIVES

You will take a total of six credits in classes from the following subjects:

African American Studies
- NEW: AFAM 150 Understanding Race, Antiracism, and Intersectionality (University Core Curriculum)
Architecture
Communication Studies
Criminal Justice and Criminology
English
History
Political Science
Psychological Science
Sociology
Media

For a complete list of all the courses you will take and their descriptions, please see our Course Catalog.

View Catalog

Program Faculty

African American Studies Teaching Affiliates

Kiesha Warren-Gordon, Professor of Criminal Justice and Criminology
Emily Ruth Rutter, Associate Dean of the Honors College and Associate Professor of English
Max Felker-Kantor, Assistant Professor of History
Jessica Reuther, Assistant Professor of History
Gabriel Tait, Associate Professor of Journalism and Distinguished Faculty Fellow for the Office of Inclusive Excellence
John Anderson, Director of the Ryan Family Navigators Program

African American Studies Affiliates

Olon Dotson, Department Chair of the Department of Architecture
Jennifer Erickson, Associate Professor of Anthropology and Assistant Chair of the Department of Anthropology
Andrew Gray, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice
Kevin Harrelson, Professor of Philosophy
Emily Johnson, Associate Professor of History
Lyn Jones, Assistant Teaching Professor of English
Lara Kuykendall, Associate Professor of Art History
Andy Luttrell, Assistant Professor of Psychological Science
Debbie Mix, Professor of English and Assistant Chair of Programs
Scott Stephan, Associate Professor of History
Maria Williams-Hawkins, Associate Professor of Media
Matthew Wilson, Assistant Professor of Architecture

Campus Engagement

Students in the African American minor have many opportunities to get involved and make a difference on campus.

The Student Antiracism and Intersectionality Advisory Council (SAIAC)

The SAIAC is a faculty-mentored student organization developed to amplify diverse voices on campus. Students in the SAIAC drive awareness and influence our campus by developing resources, creating course material, and seeking programming that promotes Ball State's commitment to inclusive excellence. Read about the SAIAC and our resources on our webpage.

Antiracism LibGuide

Developed in collaboration between faculty and students, this LibGuide aims to provide resources for educators, students, and community members seeking greater understanding of racism and intersectional forms of oppression. In addition, the various toolkits and resources herein encourage you to become active and intentional in the struggle to both combat discrimination and empower those on the margins.

QUESTIONS?

If you want to learn more about this minor, contact the Director:

Kiesha Warren-Gordon

Enroll in this Minor

To enroll in this minor, please contact our program advisor, Tareq Robin.

Contact Advisor

Related Programs

Department of Women's, Gender, and African American Studies

Ball State University

Minor in African American Studies