Africana Studies is an interdisciplinary major designed to engage undergraduate students in a critical examination of past and contemporary challenges, experiences and contributions of people of African descent and their relations with other groups throughout history. Hence the program is both national and international in scope. Approved by the Rowan University Board of Trustees on February 13, 2008, the program emphasizes two major goals: (1) Discovering, mastering and creating knowledge and (2) using those understandings and skills in service to institutions and communities. In addition to the foundational or core requirements, students in the major will select a specialization in one of the following areas: African Studies, African American Studies, Afro-Latin American and Caribbean Studies, or Comparative Studies. To maximize their career path options, students will be able to take the Africana Studies Major as a single major or as a double major.