Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies: Africana Studies

Interdisciplinary Studies: Africana Studies Major, Bachelor of Arts (BA)

The Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies: Africana Studies program is designed to provide students with a thorough and interdisciplinary understanding of the aspirations, achievements, struggles, and contributions of individuals and groups in African and African American communities. This program deeply examines concepts like Afrocentricity, black nationalism, liberation ideology, and Critical Race Theory, all within a comprehensive historical framework that spans both domestic and international contexts. Students are encouraged to work closely with an Africana Studies faculty advisor to select an appropriate minor. Ensuring a well-rounded and cohesive educational experience are 12 credits of required Interdisciplinary Core courses that emphasize an integrated approach to understanding complex, real-world problems. 

Students may also earn lower division elective credits (subject to department assessment*) toward their degree through submission of an experiential learning portfolio (after completing a specialized elective Portfolio Development course, ITDS 300) and/or approved apprenticeships, licenses, and other professional learning experiences. Visit the Interdisciplinary Credit for Prior Learning webpage to learn more about credit for prior learning through the Interdisciplinary Studies department.

*Contact the Interdisciplinary Studies Department for credit limitations and the current required department assessment fee(s).

How does this degree compare with other Interdisciplinary Studies degree options? Review the program comparison table for detailed information.

World Language Requirement: Two years of a single high school world language or one year of a single college-level world language is required.

​Major Requirement: This major requires the completion of a minor.

The following plan of study is for a student with zero credits. Individual students may have different factors such as: credit through transfer work, Advanced Placement, Running Start, or any other type of college-level coursework that requires an individual plan.

Courses could be offered in different terms, checking the academic schedule is paramount in keeping an individual plan current. Students should connect with an advisor to ensure they are on track to graduate.

All Undergraduate students are required to meet the Undergraduate Degree Requirements.

This major requires the completion of the World Language requirement.  Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree must complete two years of a single language in high school or one year of a single language in college.

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University Graduation Requirements (UGR) and Breadth Area Course Requirements (BACR) courses may be less than 5 credits and additional credits may be required to reach the required 180 total credits needed to graduate.  Students should connect with an advisor to ensure they are on track to graduate.

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Required Electives–choose 15 upper-division AAST credits from the approved list.

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For students who select AAST as a second major, the capstone requirement will be met by the completion of the primary major capstone.

General Education Requirements (GER)

• Minimum Quarter Credits—180 cumulative credit hours
  • 60 upper-division credits (300 level or above)
  • 45 credits in residence (attendance) at EWU, with at least 15 upper-division credits in major in residence at EWU
• Minimum Semester Credits—120 cumulative credit hours
  • 40 upper-division credits (300 level or above)
  • 30 credits in residence (attendance) at EWU, with at least 10 upper-division credits in major in residence at EWU
• Minimum Cumulative GPA ≥2.0

University Competencies and Proficiencies

Writing 
Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning 

Placement and Clearance 
Prior Learning/Sources of Credit AP, CLEP, IB

Breadth Area Core Requirements (BACR)

Humanities and Arts 
Natural Sciences 
Social Sciences

University Graduation Requirements (UGR)

Diversity Course List
Global Studies Course List
Minor or Certificate
Senior Capstone Course List 
World Language (for Bachelor of Arts)

Application for Graduation (use EagleNET) must be made at least two terms in advance of the term expected to graduate (undergraduate and post-baccalaureate).

Use the Catalog Archives to determine two important catalog years.

1. The catalog in effect at the student's first term of current matriculation is used to determine BACR (Breadth Area Core Requirements) and UGR (Undergraduate Graduation Requirements).
2. The catalog in effect at the time the student declares a major or minor is used to determine the program requirements.

Students who earn a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies: Africana Studies from EWU should be able to:

• demonstrate knowledge of key events in African-American history;
• demonstrate knowledge of activism’s role in African-American history;
• summarize the psychological impact of racial oppression on African Americans, white Americans, and other racial minorities in the US;
• critique Eurocentric texts from an Afrocentric perspective;
• use critical race theory to analyze their own lived experience;
• describe the value of ITDS theory, research, and practice to complex community and workplace problems;
• critically evaluate perspectives on complex issues leveraging literature from the perspective of multiple disciplines;
• synthesize meaningful personal and professional connections and multiple areas of study;
• design a project involving original research and/or a literature review using an integrated approach;
• demonstrate professional communication with potential community partners and stakeholders while developing a project to address a community- or workplace-situated problem;
• reflect on the value of prior experiential learning experiences in relation to college-level learning outcomes;
• create artifacts representing the rich knowledge gained from learning experiences for a potential experiential learning credit portfolio.