Academic Opportunities
Independent Study
The Department of African American Studies encourages majors to conduct self-initiated research projects. Students interested in working one-on-one with a faculty member can enroll in either AAS 197 Internship/Field of Study or AAS 99/199 Independent Study. Students are responsible for finding a faculty sponsor willing to work with them on their project. Please note these courses can only be taken for P/NP grade.
AAS 197 Internship/Field of Study
The Internship Program requires fieldwork in an organization concerned with women’s issues, plus individual conferences with faculty. Students must present a written scope of work to the supervising faculty member before enrolling. Credit is earned through written work completed by students interpreting the experience via diaries, historical reports, and creative work done for the organization. This course is available to upper-division students only (those with 60 or more units completed by the beginning of the relevant semester).
AAS 99/199 Supervised Independent Study for Advanced Undergraduates
Enrollment Procedure
- Develop a project proposal with the assistance of the faculty sponsor.
- Obtain the Independent/Internship form from the Office of Undergraduate Advising in 608 Social Sciences Building.
- Complete the form, obtain your faculty sponsor’s signature and attach the proposal.
- Return the instructor-signed form and proposal to 608 Social Sciences Building by the 4th week of classes (spring or fall semester).
Once your faculty sponsor approves your project and you submit your materials, you will receive a Class Number to enroll in the class.
Research Opportunities
Undergraduate Research Apprentice Program (URAP)
UC Berkeley is well known for its dynamic research environment. As an undergraduate student there are many ways to participate in research on campus. One such program is URAP, which provides opportunities for students to work with faculty on cutting-edge research. By working closely with faculty, students can cultivate professional relationships, enhance their research skills, and deepen their knowledge and skills in areas of special interest. Applications are online. For a complete listing and description of research projects, visit the URAP website or stop by 5 Durant Hall.
Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship/L&S
This program (SURF/L&S) allows UC Berkeley undergraduates in the College of Letters and Science to spend the summer doing concentrated research in preparation for a senior thesis. Application deadline generally is in the spring. See http://surf.berkeley.edu/ for more information.
The Art of Writing Program – Townsend Center for the Humanities
Art of Writing helps prepare undergraduates who have completed UC Berkeley’s Reading & Composition requirement to write lucidly, directly, and eloquently in a variety of styles. At the heart of the program, grant-funded seminars create collaborative and intimate writing communities among undergraduates, a graduate student instructor, and a faculty member. See http://
Center for Race and Gender Undergraduate Student Grants Program
The Center for Race and Gender (CRG) at the University of California Berkeley, announces the availability of grants of $100 to $1,000 to fund undergraduates for research or creative projects that address issues of race and gender. Topics should be consonant with CRG’s mandate to support critical student research on race, gender, and their intersections in a wide variety of social, cultural, and institutional contexts, especially on the Berkeley campus and its neighboring communities, but also in California, the nation, or the world.
The Haas Scholars Program
The Robert & Colleen Haas Scholars Program funds financial aid eligible, academically talented undergraduates to engage in a sustained research, field-study, or creative project in the summer before and during their senior year at UC Berkeley. Each year, twenty Haas Scholars are selected from all disciplines and departments across the University on the basis of the merit and originality of their project proposals. For more information go to http://hsp.berkeley.edu.
The Ronald McNair Scholars Program
The McNair Scholars Program prepares selected UC Berkeley undergraduates for graduate study at the doctoral level. Twenty to thirty McNair Scholars are selected each year to participate in both academic and summer activities. The McNair Scholars Program aims to increase the number of students in underrepresented doctoral programs. See aap.berkeley.edu/mcnair.
The Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program at UC Berkeley
The Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship (MMUF) program at UC Berkeley targets students with exceptional academic promise and potential for careers that will contribute to diversity and equal opportunity in the academy. The program supports Fellows by providing guidance, role models and the environment and resources to strive for the highest academic goals. Fellows will realize their greatest potential as graduate students to later become extraordinarily successful faculty members and emerge as role models for future generations. To learn more visit http://mellonmays.
AAS Honors Program
AAS majors can pursue an Honors Thesis by successfully completing AAS195 with a minimum of B or above in AFRICAM 195 to enroll into AFRICAM H195.To be eligible for the Honors Program, students must have an overall 3.3 GPA and a 3.5 GPA in the major. Students must have a 3.6 for honors, a 3.8 for high honors, and a 3.9 for highest honors. In addition, the student must receive a minimum of an A- in AAS H195.
The Berkeley Undergraduate Journal
The Berkeley Undergraduate Journal is dedicated to publishing the academic work of undergraduates from the Humanities, Social Sciences, and related fields at the University of California, Berkeley. Essays are selected on the basis of academic content, general interest, and clarity of writing. Papers should be 15-60 pages long on topics that would be of interest to the generally well-educated reader. For submission instructions, go to https://buj.berkeley.edu/
For a complete listing of research opportunities at UC Berkeley visit the Office of Undergraduate Research.
Study Abroad
Thinking about studying abroad?! African American Studies supports students interested in experiencing learning abroad, may it be through the University Education Abroad Program (EAP) program or a non-EAP program. We will work with you to ensure you receive the ultimate experience.
WHAT FULFILLS AAS REQUIREMENTS?
Taking courses abroad may fulfill a maximum of one upper division AAS required electives. Please make sure you review your courses and get approval from the AAS Undergraduate Adviser before going abroad.
PLAN AHEAD!
Make sure you bring your program information and course description with you when you meet with the Undergraduate Adviser to ensure you are making the right choices. Please review the information below to make certain the course will count for the major. While you are at your host institution, save the syllabi, reading list and other program information—you may need it upon your return to Berkeley.
Criteria for Transfer
All courses abroad, both EAP and non-EAP, must conform to the same standards used for our own UCB courses. They must be:
- upper division (EAP programs provide this information);
- taken at a 4-year university or college (EAP programs provide this information);
- taken for a letter grade;
- comparable in instruction hours (at least 4.5 quarter units or 3 semester units) to receive full credit.**
**Important! Courses taken at quarter system schools will be viewed as partial credit (using the university standard of 2.66 units) for one of our 4-unit courses. This means that two quarter courses must be taken to fulfill one upper-division requirement.
Course Approval Procedure
The following materials must be submitted to the Undergraduate Advising Office in 608 Social Sciences Building. Please be prepared to provide additional materials, such as papers and reading lists for any additional questions.
1. A syllabus in English. A full translation. If translated from another language, provide the original syllabus with the English translation. The syllabus should include the following:
- A description and summary of the course
- Course outline, week by week
- Required texts and readings
- Grading (i.e. exams, written papers)
2. For EAP course work: An EAP Student Course Information Form for each course you are counting towards the major. You receive this form in your packet from the EAP Office
3. For non-EAP work: In addition to the items list above,
(a) Information (online or in a printed course catalog) about course level (e.g., proof that it’s upper-division).
(b) A copy of your transcript (once available). An unofficial copy is acceptable.
Financial Aid can be applied to UCEAP programs and there are scholarships available. http://eap.ucop.
You are now equipped and ready for a successful experience abroad!! Enjoy and have a great time.