“Now is the accepted time, not tomorrow, not some more convenient season. It is today that our best work can be done and not some future day or future year. It is today that we fit ourselves for the greater usefulness of tomorrow. Today is the seed time, now are the hours of work, and tomorrow comes the harvest and the playtime.” W.E.B. DuBois
The Bachelor of Arts in Africana Studies (ASP) offers an interdisciplinary and multicultural approach to understanding and analyzing the contributions, concerns and conditions of African and African-diasporic peoples. Housed in the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies, the Bachelor of Arts in Africana Studies at Kentucky State University reinforces the liberal studies mission of the University while promoting the contribution of African and African-descendant peoples and civilizations across the globe. Africana Studies is the intellectual inquiry and study of people of African descent.
The discipline of Africana Studies increases respect for humanities education as students strengthen their insight into the connectedness of the human experience while accepting responsibility as stewards of their own legacy. Additionally, students learn to identify historic and contemporary trends that characterize disadvantaged communities, create disparity and dictate policy. This goal is achieved through self-assessment instruction and practical application via participation in local, national and international field experiences in diasporic and/or underserved communities. This undergraduate interdisciplinary degree prepares students for graduate and professional studies and relevant employment opportunities in government, especially in the State Department foreign and domestic missions or in industry as human resource and diversity specialists.
The program’s curricular body of knowledge supports an interdisciplinary approach to the concepts of diasporic, critical race and social theories. To satisfy the requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Africana Studies, a student must complete 120 credit hours. The required courses are ASP 101, 102, 201, 202, 301, 302, 305, 306, 466, 499. Students are also required to complete ASP 488 (Field Work, Internship or Study Abroad). Students in consultation with his/her advisor will select the best option and opportunity to complete this requirement. Additional required courses include SPE 302, HIS 365 or 366, SOC 304, ENG 409, POS 462 or PUA 304 and fulfillment of the university general education requirements.
Integrative Studies emphasizes critical and analytical ability in dealing with events, individuals, ideas, artifacts, and texts that have contributed to human achievements. The program consists of seven seminars, four of which are required of all baccalaureate degree-seeking students not enrolled in the Honors Core. Three of these courses (IGS 200, 201, and 300) are organized as a sequence, giving students the opportunity to encounter a variety of cultural and intellectual perspectives. The sequence begins with ancient civilizations in Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, China, and Greece and extends to the 20th century. The fourth course required is selected by the student from courses exploring specific world cultures (IGS 301, 302, 303, or 304). In addition to those required courses, Integrative Studies also offers a Senior Seminar (IGS 499) for students who are interested in exploring a specific theme. The program became an integral part of the curriculum in the fall of 1983. Faculty from all disciplines are invited to participate. Completion of ENG 101 with a grade of “C” or better is a prerequisite for all IGS courses.