Program Profile: African American Studies	Home	Español
		Informal perspective about a program of study.

How I Got Started: Once in middle school my teacher spent several weeks discussing the American Civil War. We learned about many courageous men and women, of many races, who worked hard to help abolish slavery. My favorite stories were always about Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad. She not only freed herself from slavery, but helped over 300 other slaves become free as well. Harriet Tubman is not the only person who risked her life to help the slaves during this time, but it is her story that made me want to go to school to study the history of African Americans in the United States.

What I Want to Study: A major in African American Studies will teach me about the contributions made to the Americas by people of African origin. I will not only learn about the history of these people, but also how to think critically about issues concerning race. Typical coursework for this major will include classes in African American history, African American literature, and even sociology classes about racial and ethnic relations in the United States.

What I Can Do In The Future: I can do many things with a degree in African American Studies. I might decide to become a teacher or curator of a museum and share my knowledge about the history and contributions of African Americans with others. I can also become a writer for a magazine or newspaper, and write articles about issues that are important to African Americans. There are many opportunities for individuals who are knowledgeable about race-related issues, and companies are excited to hire workers with multicultural perspectives.