The Department of African American Studies & African Diaspora Studies has provided information for students who plan to study abroad. Review your department’s responses to the Major Advising Questionnaires below, then contact the department directly with any additional questions.

 

“Study abroad is a wonderful experience because it opens your mind to things you never knew existed in real life. Experiencing another country makes the things you read in books so much more tangible and real!” -Pia Winston, African American Studies and Anthropology Major

 

Advising Resources

 

Study Abroad Information on the African American Studies & African Diaspora Studies Website

African American Studies & African Diaspora Studies Advising Contact Information

 

Major-Specific Info

The Department of African American Studies encourages its students to take advantage of the opportunity to complete some portion of their undergraduate study through Berkeley Study Abroad (BSA). African American Studies majors can broaden their horizons by studying African art and music in Ghana, Black Cinema in South Africa, or even literature and political ideology of the Caribbean in Barbados. Because courses taken through BSA are accepted as UC courses, with careful planning, students may spend as much as a year of study at a foreign university with no loss of time in completing their degrees.

Why study abroad?

Studying abroad provides a great opportunity for African American Studies majors to understand their course work in a broader context. By exposing yourself to a variety of different cultures and experiences, you have a better framework with which to critique and contribute to academic topics of interest. Furthermore, there are a variety of African American Studies related courses offered at foreign universities that are not available at Berkeley.

From another perspective, study abroad will help you develop practical life experiences by:

- increasing your understanding of the world and your own society

- developing self-confidence and independence

- increasing language proficiency

- improving critical thinking and problem-solving skills

- enhancing your resume for job and graduate school applications

When can I study abroad?

While it’s possible for African American Studies majors to go abroad at almost any point in their academic careers, the particular semester, summer, or year that you study abroad depends on where you are in your major and what courses you plan to take while abroad. To determine the best time period for you to study abroad, consult with your major advisor at the African American Studies office in 664A Barrows Hall. 

What classes can I take?

If you want to do a significant part of your major abroad, you should complete the lower-division preparation for the major and at least some of the upper-division requirements before you go. You should also complete most of your general education requirements. This way you'll have maximum flexibility in the courses you take abroad. Major and minor elective courses can be fulfilled while abroad. Students should consult their academic advisor for further information. The African American Studies department also encourages students to take advantage of research, internship, and fieldwork opportunities while abroad. In many cases, it is possible to count this work for major credit. Please consult with your major advisor before departing to discuss this opportunity.

Where can I study abroad?

African American Studies students have the opportunity to take up to half of their major elective courses while studying abroad. There are a variety of countries and locations at which students can find applicable coursework. In many cases, the major will also accept relevant coursework even when it is not directly comparable to the content of a course offered at Berkeley. If you are looking to fulfill a substantial amount of electives while studying abroad, there are some countries that have greater opportunity for doing so than others. At the University of the West Indies, Barbados, students can gain a unique perspective while pursuing Caribbean and African studies. French speaking students can study modern day and historical Africa in France. At the University of Ghana in Legon, students have the opportunity to study religion, dance, and politics of Africa, as well as the music and literature of the Black diaspora. In South Africa and the United Kingdom, students can find courses covering African literature and cinema, as well as courses on African-American issues. These are only a few of the options for African American Studies students.

 

Berkeley Programs Questionnaire

 

Does your department currently sponsor a Berkeley Summer Abroad or Berkeley Global Internships program?

No.

 

Independent Programs Questionnaire

 

What is the process to have a course from an Independent study abroad program evaluated for your major?

To use a course from abroad to fulfill a major requirement, the course must be approved for transfer credit by UCB. Students must also submit a request to the department which includes course descriptions, syllabi and course material.

Do any courses offered on a Berkeley Summer Abroad or Berkeley Global Internships program currently satisfy requirements within your major?

No.

 

UCEAP Programs Questionnaire

 

What is the maximum amount of major credit given for courses taken during UCEAP? Is this maximum calculated by number of courses or by units of credit?

Please consult with department.

Does your department maintain a list of courses previously awarded credit on UCEAP and/or a list of pre-approved courses for UCEAP programs? How do students access this information?

No. Please consult with department.

Does your department have a 4-year or 2-year plan available to students that incorporates semester or year-length study abroad? How do students access this information?

No. Please consult with department.

What is the process in your department to have courses evaluated? What materials must be submitted? What is the timeframe for response?

Students should submit the course syllabus and any other pertinent course materials. The timeframe for a response is usually within a week.

Are students in your department able to undertake a senior honors thesis the semester following UCEAP participation?

It depends on the semester they return. Students must take the capstone course 195 in the fall and the honors course in the spring.

Does your department calculate UCEAP grades into departmental GPA?

Yes.

Are UCEAP grades counted towards departmental honors?

Yes.

If you represent a department which teaches foreign language, does your department award major credit for the courses taken during the Intensive Language Program (ILP) portion of the UCEAP program?

N/A

Does the undergraduate adviser sign the UCEAP academic planning form, or must a faculty adviser sign?

The undergraduate adviser.

Does your department place Academic holds on declared majors prior to each registration period? If yes, what is your departmental policy on releasing advising holds for students currently abroad on UCEAP (e.g. is advising possible via email, skype, etc.)?

Yes. Academic holds can be released during advising, which is available via email, Zoom and phone.

Do you have any department specific advice for students participating on a UCEAP program in their last term at Berkeley?

Speak to the undergraduate adviser in advance to make sure you are on track to fulfill all major requirements.

Have any Independent programs been approved by your department and the Study Abroad Advisory board for credit in the major?

No.

Are there any pre-approved courses for your major from other UC summer abroad programs (UCLA, UCD, etc.)?

No.