African American Studies Becomes Degree Program

General Information

African American Studies (AAS) at The University of Mississippi began in 1970 and now operates with departmental status. The University of Mississippi is the only institution in the state of Mississippi that offers a degree in African American Studies. The program's undergraduate degree was approved by the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning during the academic year 2004-2005 and has begun to admit students.

The primary function of African American Studies is to conduct research on and teach about the African American Experience. The courses offered in African American Studies are comparative and multi-disciplinary in nature and facilitate research. They integrate the methods and theories of the various behavioral/social sciences, humanities, and arts into a comprehensive analysis of the African American experience.

The African American Studies interdisciplinary major consists of 42 semester hours, including 9 hours of basic core courses, 30 hours of upper-division courses, and the 3-hour senior seminar course. At least 12 of the 30 credits of required upper-division work must be in one of the following areas of specialization:

1. African and African American History
2. African and African American Political and Social Institutions
3. African and African American Culture

The Department of African American Studies also offers a minor which consists of 18 hours. Students should consult the official 2005-2006 UM Undergraduate Catalog for full details of the major and minor.

Students wishing to change majors to the BA in African American Studies or to add African American Studies to an existing major should fill out a Change of Major Form. This form is available at 103 Ventress Hall in the College of Liberal Arts and online at the Liberal Arts web site.

Core Faculty

The core faculty for African American Studies consists of Dr. Charles K. Ross, Dr. James F. Payne, Dr. Ethel Young-Minor, Dr. Kirk Johnson, and Professor Marvin King.

Dr. Ross serves as Director and Associate Professor of African American Studies. His research interests include African American history, sport history, and 20th century U.S. history.

Dr. Payne is an Associate Professor of African American Studies and History. His research interests include African American history, black leadership, and comparative studies.

Dr. Young-Minor is an Associate Professor of English and African American Studies. Her research interests include African American literature, novels, and sermons.

Dr. Johnson is an Assistant Professor of African American Studies and Sociology. His research interests include African Americans and mass communications, urban sociology, and health.

Professor King is an Assistant Professor of Political Science and African American Studies. His research interests minority/ethnic politics, campaigns and elections, voting behaviors, and political parties.

There are also several affiliated faculty members whose courses are regularly cross-listed with African American Studies and their respective departments.

The African American Studies Program at the University of Mississippi is a growing endeavor. We hope you will join in the excitement created by the interdisciplinary focus which we bring to the University. Our future and your future will be much brighter when you do.

Contact Information

Department of African American Studies
303 Barr Hall
Phone: (662) 915-5977
Fax: (662) 915-5675
E-mail: cross@olemiss.edu
Web: http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/afro_am/