The Department of Afro-American Studies offers an interdisciplinary, social science undergraduate curriculum focusing on the presence of black social formations in the Western Hemisphere, with special emphasis on the United States and the Caribbean. The curriculum consists of three core concentrations: political, social and cultural. Courses are designed to develop and support student competencies in scientific social observation and analysis, survey and archival research methods, and effective verbal and written communication. A minimum of thirty-three credit hours of course work within the curriculum satisfies the requirements of the major. Eighteen credit hours of course work within the Department are required of all minors. The Department typically serves over 1,000 students per academic year.