The Departments of African American and African Diaspora Studies (AAADS) and Religious Studies offer an interdepartmental major that allow you to explore and examine the intersection of religion and its influences in African American life and culture.

Foundational courses in both departments give students a strong base knowledge of global religious traditions and ideas, and the historical, cultural, and artistic contributions and influences of people of African descent. While students split their time between the two different departments, their course selection weaves together an understanding of how and why religion plays the part that it does in African American history, art, politics and culture.

The AAADS faculty and Religious Studies faculty represent a wide variety of interests, disciplines, and research, allowing you to customize your degree in a way that is valuable to your own research areas.

Graduates from the AAADS and Religious Studies interdepartmental major successfully pursue careers in law, education, criminal justice, politics, business, community organizing, and the non-profit sector. These students often seek out graduate programs in areas such as African American studies, religious studies, law, seminary, and business school.

Interdepartmental major options

You can also earn one of our other interdepartmental majors:

• African American and African Diaspora Studies and English is offered in association with the Department of English. Read the major guide.
• African American and African Diaspora Studies and History is offered in association with the Department of History. Read the major guide.
• African American and African Diaspora Studies and Sociology is offered in association with the Department of Sociology. Read the major guide.