Social Studies Degrees

African-American Studies

The African-American Studies Program at Colby is an interdisciplinary program of courses designed to expose students to the history and culture of African-Americans in the United States and to connect those experiences to the literatures, histories and cultures of Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Students may elect a minor in the program built around courses in anthropology, economics, government, history, literature, music, religion, and sociology. Students may also elect to pursue a combined African American and American Studies major.
In the late 1960s, a College committee was created to expand Colby’s participation in this burgeoning field. This led to curriculum development, exchanges of visiting scholars, special lectures and other intercultural programs, and student exchanges with predominantly African-American institutions. Formerly called Black Studies, the program has maintained a special relationship with other College programs such as the American Studies Program, the Colby College Black History Month Celebration, the Office of Intercultural Affairs, and the Ralph J. Bunche Symposium, which sponsors events that explore the themes of diversity and human rights.

Students participating in African-American Studies usually major in English, American studies, Anthropology, Sociology, Psychology, Government, or History. The history courses taken within the program may be applied to a field of concentration within the history major. A student with any major may take a variety of courses in African-American Studies. Those who wish may be assigned an adviser in the program as well as one in their major department.

The major in African-American and American Studies is built around a core of courses in history, literature, and the social sciences. The minor in African-American Studies draws upon a strong core of courses that include African-American Culture in the United States, African-American History, several music courses, and a wonderful range of courses in African-American literature.

African-American Studies

The African-American Studies Program at Colby is an interdisciplinary program of courses designed to expose students to the history and culture of African-Americans in the United States and to connect those experiences to the literatures, histories and cultures of Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Students may elect a minor in the program built around courses in anthropology, economics, government, history, literature, music, religion, and sociology. Students may also elect to pursue a combined African American and American Studies major. More…
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In the late 1960s, a College committee was created to expand Colby’s participation in this burgeoning field. This led to curriculum development, exchanges of visiting scholars, special lectures and other intercultural programs, and student exchanges with predominantly African-American institutions. Formerly called Black Studies, the program has maintained a special relationship with other College programs such as the American Studies Program, the Colby College Black History Month Celebration, the Office of Intercultural Affairs, and the Ralph J. Bunche Symposium, which sponsors events that explore the themes of diversity and human rights.

Students participating in African-American Studies usually major in English, American studies, Anthropology, Sociology, Psychology, Government, or History. The history courses taken within the program may be applied to a field of concentration within the history major. A student with any major may take a variety of courses in African-American Studies. Those who wish may be assigned an adviser in the program as well as one in their major department.

The major in African-American and American Studies is built around a core of courses in history, literature, and the social sciences. The minor in African-American Studies draws upon a strong core of courses that include African-American Culture in the United States, African-American History, several music courses, and a wonderful range of courses in African-American literature.

Courses in African American Studies

AAM/ENG-166 African Literature
(see also English (ENG-166), p. 71)
A course of selected focus which centers on a particular author, theme, region, or genre of African literature. Possible topics include: South African Literature; Nigerian Drama; Chinua Achebe. May be repeated with consent of the instructor, provided the topics are substantially different. May be repeated for credit toward the English major with consent of Department Chair.

AAM-267 African American Literature
(See also English (ENG-267), p. 71)
Reading and discussion of the writings of African Americans, with emphasis on the 20th century. May include some relevant writings on African Americans by other groups. Study of the artistic values and of the social and cultural significance of these writings. May be repeated with consent of the instructor, provided the topics are substantially different. May be repeated for credit toward the English major with consent of Department Chair.

AAM-367 The African American in the United States I
(See also History (AAM-367), p. 84)
A study of the history of African Americans and their contribution to culture and society during the colonial and national eras to 1865. Prerequisite: The History of Western Civilization Since 1500 (HIS-125) or consent of instructor.

AAM-377 The African American in the United States II
(See also History (AAM-377), p. 84)
African American history from 1865 and Reconstruction to the present. Emphasis on significant African American leaders and organizations, and on general movements and trends affecting African Americans. Prerequisite: The History of Western Civilization Since 1500 (HIS-125) or consent of instructor.

AAM-447,-457 Directed Studies in African American Studies
Study of selected topics and primary texts not available within the regular offerings. Prerequisite: two courses in African American studies. Registration by consent of instructor, after submission of a written project proposal. Conferences with instructor and papers are required. May be repeated for credit with consent of the program.

AAM-777, -787, -797 Seminar in Black Literature
(See also English (ENG -777,-787,-797), p. 73)
Intensive study of selected works and subjects in black literature. Topics may include African, African American and West Indian literature. Prerequisites: junior standing and Literary Analysis (ENG-615).

AAM-895 Part-Time Internship
Exploration of a career area related to African American Studies. A minimum of 140 hours on-site experience is required. S/U basis. This course does not satisfy any of the requirements for a major in African American Studies. Application through the internship director. Supervision by African American Studies Program and the Director of Internships. Prerequisite: junior or senior standing.

AAM-8_5 Independent Study
Study of individually chosen research topics in African American Studies under the direction of a faculty member in the area. Prerequisite: African American Literature (AAM-267), or The African American in the United States I (AAM-367), or The African American in the United States II (AAM-377). Registration by consent of instructor and after submission of a written proposal of a project.

ENG-345 American Literature: West Indian Literature
Study of selected literary works written by North Americans. Sample topics: Modern U.S. Literature, Canadian Fiction, or Race and Gender. May be repeated with consent of the instructor, provided the topics are substantially different. May be repeated for credit toward the English major with consent of Department Chair. Prerequisite: a college literature course.

POL-276 African Politics
An introductory survey of post-independence political patterns and processes in Africa. Similarities and differences across the continent are highlighted while a small number of select countries are studied in-depth. Attention is given to the legacy of the colonial period, democratization, the challenges of violence and illegitimate governance, and the impact of the modern global economy on life in Africa. Prerequisite: Introduction to Politics (POL-108) or consent of instructor. (Offered alternate years)

Social Studies Education / History (B.A.)
The social studies teacher certification program allows students to major in social studies with a concentration in history or in political science, and to complete the state of New Hampshire’s requirements for certification to teach social studies in grades 5 through 12. The certification track combines general education requirements (the college core), the education core, a social studies major with a concentration and a social studies teaching methods course.

The program of study provides the prospective social studies teacher with a broad and integrated liberal arts background, an interdisciplinary social studies major with a concentration in history or political science and the techniques, knowledge, and experience to help middle, junior and senior high school students develop to their highest potential. Social studies certification covers primary areas of history, government, economics and geography as well as secondary areas of psychology and sociology. The interdisciplinary program prepares students to teach in these areas.

B.A./B.S. Core

Social Studies Education Required Courses
EDU 200 Introduction to Education
EDU 243 Learning Theory and Instruction
EDU 293 Field Experience-Elementary
EDU 318 Methods of Teaching Secondary Education
EDU 326 Methods of Teaching Social Studies
EDU 362 Literacy in the Content Areas: 5 - 12
EDU 440 Differentiating Instruction
EDU 490 Student Teaching and Seminar
SPED 260 Children With Exceptionalities
History Concentration Major Courses
GEO 200 World Geography
HIS 109 Western Civilization I
HIS 110 Western Civilization II
HIS 114 United States History II: 1865-Present
HIS 301 World History and Culture
HIS 314 European Conquest of the New World
HIS 319 African-American History Since Civil War
or
HIS 357 African American Hist Through Civil War
HIS 321 The Ancient World of Greece and Rome
HIS 340 Historical Methods Required Courses
Allied Courses
ECO 202 Macroeconomics
ENV 219 / SCI 219 Environmental Issues
PSY 211 Human Growth and Development
SCI 212 Principles of Physical Science I

Graduation Requirements
Full-time day students must take SNHU 101 First Year Seminar: Foundations in Critical Thinking.
Continuing Education students take SNHU 100 Pro Seminar or a Free Elective.