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Africana Studies

Certificate in Africana Studies

Fred Moten has said, “Black studies is the critique of Western civilization.” Taking up that tradition of trenchant, sustained critique, Africana Studies at Claremont Graduate University examines the culture and history of African Americans and the black diaspora to explore how race has been central to the constitution of the modern world.

In this joint program between CGU and the Intercollegiate Department of Africana Studies (IDAS) of The Claremont Colleges, you’ll explore the literary, historical, artistic, and theoretical expressions of the many cultures of Africa and the diaspora. Grounded in interdisciplinary research and teaching, the curriculum travels across a range of fields, from anthropology and art history to philosophy and religious studies. You’ll uncover ample opportunities to collaborate on projects with other departments in the Claremont University Consortium and with scholars at other institutions. Along the way, you’ll be prepared to pursue careers in a wide range of professions, including education, social
 work, public policy, law, medicine, business, and international relations. In addition, you’ll receive graduate credits that may be applied toward your master’s degree or PhD.

Program Highlights
  • Any CGU student enrolled in an MA or PhD program may concurrently pursue a Certificate in Africana Studies.
  • The 20 units earned for the certificate may be applied toward an enrolled student’s master’s degree or PhD.

Program At-a-glance

  • 20 units

    required units

  • Certificate in Africana Studies

    degree awarded

  • In Person

    modality

  • Spring, Summer, Fall

    program start

  • 1 year | full time*

    estimated completion time

Where You Can Find Our Alumni

Faculty

  • Portrait of David Luis-Brown

    David Luis-Brown

    Associate Professor of Cultural Studies and English

    Research Interests

    Hemispheric Americas studies, Latino/a/x studies, Black diaspora studies, American literature and culture

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  • Portrait of Linda Perkins

    Linda Perkins

    University Professor
    Director, Applied Gender Studies

    Research Interests

    Women and African-American higher education, history and contemporary issues on women in higher education, especially Black women, global gender issues.

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  • Portrait of JoAnna Poblete

    JoAnna Poblete

    Professor of History
    John D. and Lillian Maguire Distinguished Professor in the Humanities
    Chair, History Department

    Research Interests

    Colonialism and empire, unincorporated territories, migration and labor, comparative ethnic studies, Asian-American and Pacific Islander studies, 20th-century United States, indigenous issues, environmental history, oral history, U.S. expansionism

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  • Portrait of Daniel Ramirez

    Daniel Ramírez

    Associate Professor of Religion

    Research Interests

    American religious history; Latin American religious history; Religion, migration, and transnationalism; Religion in borderlands; Contemporary theories of religion

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Application Guidelines

The certificate in Africana Studies is open to students currently enrolled in a CGU degree program.

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