African American & African Studies (AA&AS) is a place to make connections across the complexities of Africa, Black America, and the African diaspora. Multidisciplinary in its approach to learning, AA&AS students are exposed to the pressing challenges of the modern world, as well as possibilities for transformations through the study of African American and African history, literature, and culture, and the study of Africa in global perspectives. The courses present students with the tools of inquiry from multiple liberal arts disciplines to make known tremendous diversities and overlapping histories and experiences within the wider black world. AA&AS also offers two African languages, Swahili (spoken throughout East, Central, and South Africa) and Somali, in its undergraduate curriculum. The major curriculum consists of three core courses and seven upper-division elective courses. Many AA&AS graduates have not only been accepted to professional and graduate schools, but have also cultivated their career paths in exciting directions including education, business, medicine, law, the arts, journalism, local and transnational advocacy work, and foreign affairs.

At least 13 program credits must be completed at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities campus. All major courses must be taken A-F, and grades of C- or better must be earned. Students are encouraged to meet with the AA&AS departmental adviser at least once a year. Students who double major and choose to complete the senior project requirement in their other CLA major must take an additional AFRO upper-division elective in order to complete the minimum 30 credits required for graduation. Students may earn a B.A. or a minor in African American and African studies, but not both. Beginning fall 2012, all incoming CLA freshmen must complete the appropriate First Year Experience course sequence. Specific information about this collegiate requirement can be found at: http://class.umn.edu/degree_requirements/index.html