The Africana and black studies minor program offers interdisciplinary study of the history, culture, economics, and political institutions that have shaped the experiences of people of African ancestry throughout the world. The program serves as an interdisciplinary intellectual center for study and research in the many dimensions of African and black diasporic experiences, and for application of knowledge and scholarship to advance the common good. It provides access for students and scholars to a broad range of information and research by drawing upon the insights of English, geography, history, political science, music, and other disciplines at Central. The minor is designed for all highly motivated and adventurous students in all majors who have a serious interest in learning about the black diaspora and its impact on the individual countries and on the interdependent world in which we live.
Students in the minor are encouraged to take advantage of study-abroad programs to Africa and to countries of the black diaspora. Africana and Black Studies minors are expected to participate actively in co-curricular multicultural learning experiences offered by the following: student organizations, Students for the Dream Living Learning Community, Diversity Education Center, Campus Life activities, Center for the Dream, University Housing and New Student Programs, Center for Student Empowerment, Latino and Latin American Studies Program, and the David Wain Coon Center for Excellence in Leadership.