What is African American Studies?
Are you ready to explore history, culture, and society through the lens of the African American experience? African American Studies isn’t just about the past; it’s about understanding the roots of our present and shaping the future. You’ll dive into topics like African heritage, the transatlantic slave trade, freedom movements, Black art and literature, race, identity, and social justice. This field invites you to examine the triumphs, challenges, and contributions of African Americans to the United States and the world.
Why Students Should Take African American Studies Courses at WLAC
Studying African American Studies at WLAC is an inspiring and empowering experience. You’ll engage in critical conversations about race, culture, politics, and equality, and develop valuable skills in research, analysis, and communication. These courses prepare you for transfer to a four-year university and strengthen your ability to succeed in any career path, whether you dream of becoming an educator, advocate, community organizer, policy maker, or creative professional. More than that, African American Studies deepens your understanding of yourself, your community, and the world.
What WLAC Students Can Do with an African Americans Studies Degree
An African American Studies degree opens doors to a variety of impactful careers that center on people, culture, and change. Graduates work in education, law, public policy, social services, community development, the arts, and media. You’ll gain cross-cultural knowledge, historical perspective, and the tools to address issues of equity and justice. Many alumni become teachers, historians, non-profit leaders, diversity consultants, or continue on to graduate and professional schools. Whether you aim to advocate for change, preserve cultural heritage, or lead in your profession, African American Studies equips you to make a real difference.
Your journey into African American history, culture, and empowerment starts here at WLAC—join our community of scholars and change-makers!
African American Studies at WLAC
Click below for more information about the African American Studies program at WLAC.
AFRO AM 004 The African-American in the History of the United States I (3) UC/CSU
This course is a survey of United States history from the early Colonial era to the Reconstruction Period, with special emphasis on the contribution of the African-American to the political, economic and social development of the nation. This course also surveys the U.S. Constitution and California State and local government. (GE Areas - Cal-GETC: 4F)
AFRO AM 005 The African-American in the History of the United States II (3) UC/CSU
The course covers post-Civil War United States history, identifying significant figures and events of the second half of the 19th century, the entire 20th century, and the early decades of the 21st century. This course examines the cultural shifts of the 19th century Reconstruction and Redemption periods and analyzes both the 20th century and early 21st century social change movements in the contexts of race, equality, gender, Black feminism, and social justice in contemporary Black history. This course documents the laws, policies, and culture that sought to deconstruct America's race caste system over 150 years and helps students understand the theories and motivations behind racial behavior and racebased social patterns and attitudes that forged U.S. political, social, and economic inter-race relations from 1865 to the present. (GE Areas - Cal-GETC: 4F)
AFRO AM 019 Introduction to African American Studies (3) UC/CSU
This course examines historical and emerging Black social and racial justice movements, with an emphasis on the political dimensions and historical context. Moreover, it investigates key scholarship on the nature and tradition of Black activism, resistance, agency, and political engagement in the collective struggle for liberation and social and racial justice. (GE Areas – Cal-GETC: 6)
Meet with a WLAC counselor to decide which courses meet your academic and personal needs. You can meet one-on-one with counselors either on-campus or virtually. Consult the Counseling Center’s website for hours and days of operation. Counseling appointments may be made through one of the following:
- On-Line Counseling webpage.
- counseling hours for individual counselors can be found on this page
- you may select a specific counselor or the next available
- Through email at wlac-cnseldsk@laccd.edu
- Using the on-line counseling request form
- In person at the Counseling Front Desk located in SSB 350.
- By calling the Counseling Center directly at (310) 287-7242.
Christian David Green is a first generation, former foster youth, non-traditional graduate from the Antelope Valley, specifically Lancaster, California. Christian graduated spring 2016 from UCLA with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor in African American Studies and graduated with M.A. in African American Studies spring 2018 from UCLA. He currently serves as a national ambassador on the U.S. Truth Racial Healing and Transformation Coalition (US TRHT), West Coast Director for Archives for Racial and Cultural Healing (ARCH) serves as the Policy and Advocacy Director for Sanctuary of Hope that serves our TAY (Transitional Age Youth) Population, and as of Fall 2023 Christian has been hired on as the First African American Studies Professor at West LA Community College where he is building out the curriculum and the department. In 2018, he also released his first book - Uncovering Your Worth: From Legal Custody to UCLA which has allowed Christian to speak all over the nation about his own adventure within the child welfare system.
You may also be interested in our BSU Umoja Program! The BSU Umoja Program aims to increase persistence, retention, graduation, and transfer rates among Black students by creating a supportive environment that affirms Black culture, identity, and excellence. Click the link above for more information.
