Certificate in Africana Studies - Claremont Graduate University

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

The Nature Conservancy
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Syracuse University
Los Angeles Workers Center
Salus Behavioral Institute
Loyola Marymount University
Pasadena City College

Faculty

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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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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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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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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