African American Studies focuses on the study of people of the African descent in the United States and the African diaspora.  This field is open to all Liberal Arts students and can be taken as a major or minor.  Core courses in this field encompass a wide range of issues, allowing students to tailor their study to an area of interest to them.  Faculty appointed to this department also teach in other disciplines, facilitating cross-curricular learning and deepening the academic benefit to students.  A senior seminar is required for all and focuses on creating and conducting research projects in this emerging area of study.  With these tools in hand, a degree in African American Studies allows students to work in research fields and a wide-range of degree seeking industries.  Also, many graduate programs look upon African American Studies majors as students with passions for learning and cultural exploration.