DAAAS Major

HOW TO MAJOR

Minimum units: 64

The DAAAS major combines foundational study across regions, community-engaged learning, thematic specialization, and a senior research or creative project.

The major is organized into four parts:

Requirement

Units

Core Requirements 

19 Units

Breadth Requirements

15 Units

Thematic Requirements 

15 Units

Approved Electives

15 Units

Major Total 

64 Units

1. Core Requirements - 19 units

All DAAAS majors complete the following core requirements:
Course Requirement Units When to take it
Introduction to Black Studies

5

Required before declaring the major or as soon as possible after declaring
Foundations of African Studies OR African American Studies

5

Complete at least one; may be taken after declaring, ideally by spring quarter of junior year
Community-Engaged Learning

4

Choose at least one course from an approved menu of options
Senior Capstone / Writing in the Major (WIM)

5

Usually completed during the senior year; fulfills the WIM requirement

Important: 

(a) The Senior Capstone:  May be completed through AFRICAAM 200X, including the Senior Thesis Seminar or Honors Thesis option. It fulfills the Writing in the Major (WIM) requirement.

(b) Community Engaged Learning: Select at least one course for a minimum of 4 units from the approved departmental menu below:

  • AFRICAAM 212 - How We Free Us: Activism & Community 
  • AFRICAAM 214 - To Live for the People: Black Public History in the Bay Area

Guidelines:

  • At least two must be DAAAS courses from an approved departmental menu.
  • Additional courses may be taken outside DAAAS with approval from the Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS).

2. Breadth Requirements — 15 Units

Complete at least one course from each of the three clusters, totaling at least 15 units. These courses introduce students to diverse regions, approaches, and creative practices within African and African American Studies.
Required AreaUnits
Creative Practice Course5 Units
Africa-focused Course5 Units
Americas-focused Course5 Units
Total Breadth Units15 Units

3. Thematic Depth Requirements — Minimum 15 Units

Select at least three courses of up to 15 units within one of the following thematic clusters. These courses allow you to develop sustained knowledge in an area of particular interest. 
CHOOSE ONE THEMATIC CLUSTER
cluster
Cultures and Arts
Science, Technology, and Society (STS)
Ethical, Social, and Political Thought

Guidelines:

  • 5 courses are selected from one of our three thematic clusters. 3 of the courses must be DAAAS courses; students will work with the DUS to select the two remaining courses if outside of DAAAS.

4. Approved Electives - 15 Units

Complete an additional 15 units of approved electives.

  • Electives may be taken within or outside DAAAS.
  • Students may request exceptions or propose other relevant courses in consultation with the Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) and the Student Services Offier (SSO).

DAAAS Major at a Glance: What You Need to Take

Introduction to Black Studies course — 5 units

  • Complete before declaring the major or soon after declaring

One foundations course — 5 units

  • Choose African Studies or African American Studies.

At least one community-engaged learning course — 4 units

Senior Capstone/WIM — 5 units

  • May include a senior thesis or honors thesis option.

At least one breadth courses in each cluster — 15 units

  • Creative Practice  + Africa-focused  + Americas-focused.

At least three courses in one thematic depth cluster — minimum 15 units

  • Cultures and Arts, STS, or Ethical, Social, and Political Thought.

Approved electives — 15 units

Total: 64 units minimum

For students who declared the major prior to September 1, 2026, please refer to the previous curriculum requirements linked here.

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