CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
An education in the liberal arts and sciences allows students to build problem solving abilities and communication skills, as well as lead and work as part of a team. These qualities are greatly valued by hiring professionals.
For more information, please contact:
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Veronica Lippencott, PhD Program Director
Alumni from Hofstra’s Africana Studies program may find employment in:
• Communications and Media
• Education
• Government Agencies
• Law
• Library Science
• Management and Industry
• Nonprofit/Advocacy
• Public Health and Public Policy
Adjunct
Associate Professor
of Global Studies and Geography
Africana.Studies@hofstra.edu
210 Roosevelt Hall, South Campus 516-463-5594
hofstra.edu/africana-studies
Africana Studies at Hofstra @hofstraafricana
Hofstra University is committed to extending equal opportunity to all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national or ethnic origin, physical or mental disability, marital or veteran status (characteristics collectively referred to as “Protected Characteristic”) in employment and in the conduct and operation of Hofstra University’s educational programs and activities, including admissions, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. This statement of nondiscrimination is in compliance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act, the Age Discrimination Act, and other applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations relating to nondiscrimination (“Equal Opportunity Laws”). The Equal Rights and Opportunity Officer is the University’s official responsible for coordinating its overall adherence to Equal Opportunity Laws. Questions or concerns regarding any of these laws, other aspects of Hofstra’s Nondiscrimination Policy, or regarding Title IX as it relates to reports against employees or other nonstudents, should be directed to the Equal Rights and Opportunity Officer, who also serves as the Title IX Officer for Employee Matters, at HumanResources@Hofstra.edu, 516-463-6859, 205 Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY 11549. Studentrelated questions or concerns regarding Title IX should be directed to the Title IX Officer for Student Issues at StudentTitleIX@Hofstra.edu, 516-463-5841, 127 Wellness & Campus Living Center, Hempstead, NY 11549. For additional contacts and related policies and resources, see hofstra.edu/eoe
ABOUT AFRICANA STUDIES
AT HOFSTRA
Africana Studies introduces students to the study of African societies, languages, and cultures. This interdisciplinary program offers a broad spectrum of courses in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.
The creation of Hofstra’s African Studies program in 1971 was part of a nationwide trend at colleges and universities, inspired by the Civil Rights movement and Black Power movement. Black students – and indeed students of all races and ethnicities – demanded that the history and experience of African and African American people become part of the offered curriculum. Hofstra’s program was renamed Africana Studies in 2020 to reflect a combined focus on Africa and the African Diaspora.
WHY MAJOR OR MINOR IN AFRICANA STUDIES?
Africana Studies is the study of the politics, histories, and cultures of people of African origin. Students will learn how the African Diaspora, Blackness, and race have shaped the world. A major or minor in Africana Studies will strengthen a student’s academic experience in many areas, including history, economics, religion, health care, anthropology, sociology, art and literature, to name a few.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
The BA in Africana Studies consists of a minimum of 30 semester hours. The minor consists of 18 semester hours.
In addition to Africana Studies, students may fulfill program requirements by completing classes in Anthropology; Comparative Literature and Languages; Dance; Drama; Economics; English; French and French Literature in Translation; Geography; History; LGBTQ+ Studies; Psychology; and Sociology.
CURRICULUM
Courses in the Africana Studies program reflect the academic and professional aspirations of 21stcentury Hofstra students. New courses have been created since the program was renamed and revamped in 2020. Some examples include the following:
• AFST 014S:01 From Civil Rights to Black Lives Matter (FYC)
• AFST 014S:02 W.E.B. DuBois and the Project of Cultural Education (FYC)
• AFST 039: The American Experience of African Dance Practices
• AFST 043: Decolonizing the Mind: Contemporary Literature from Africa to Southeast Asia
• AFST 047: Africa, Greece, and Rome
• AFST 115: African American History to 1865
• AFST 116: African American History, 1865 to the Present
• AFST 127: Race, Sport, and the Americas
• AFST 134: Race Relations in the United States
• AFST 146: Anthropology and Social Justice
• AFST 150: Caribbean Geographies
• AFST 187E: The Revolution Will Not Be Televised
ON-CAMPUS PARTNERSHIPS
Africana Studies sponsors and co-sponsors events with campus partners such as the Office of Intercultural Engagement and Inclusion; Center for “Race,” Culture and Social Justice, Latin American and Caribbean Studies (LACS); the Hofstra Cultural Center; the Center for Civil Engagement; LGBTQ+ Studies; the Hofstra University Museum of Art; the Umoja Scholars Living-Learning Community; and various other academic departments and programs.
Chief Ayanda Clarke, Grammy Award-winning African drummer, discussed the music and dance of the African Diaspora in Professor Dyane HarveySalaam’s class, “The American Experience of African Dance Practices.”
MEET THE CURRICULUM COMMITTEE
Our Curriculum Committee reviews and approves courses and solicits departments to cross-list courses that are already established. They also revise program requirements as needed.
Veronica Lippencott, PhD, Program Director and Adjunct Associate Professor of Global Studies and Geography
Dyane Harvey-Salaam, Adjunct Associate Professor of Dance
Robert Leonard, PhD, Professor of Linguistics
Jonathan Lightfoot, PhD, Professor of Teaching, Literacy, and Leadership
Sabine Loucif, PhD, Professor of French
Katrina Sims, PhD, Assistant Professor of History
Dr. Jonathan Lightfoot took his First-Year Connections class, “From Civil Rights to Black Lives Matter,” to see the Broadway show Hamilton.