Career Preparation and Double Major Options

Double majoring in Africana Studies and other majors can... 

• Africana Studies and English
• Africana Studies and Law and Justice
• Africana Studies and Business

Africana Studies and English

Double majoring in English and Africana studies at Rowan will equip you with the skills and critical thinking abilities highly sought by employers. In a recent poll, more than 80% of employers said they desired the following skills in employees:

• Communications skills
• Research and writing experience
• Cultural knowledge and sensitivity
• Humanist qualities, values, and perspectives (intellectual curiosity, creativity, independence, flexibility, empathy, compassion, etc.)

Both English and Africana studies emphasize critical thinking rooted in the examination of literary and historical texts. Rowan English majors explore how meaning is made in and through language. They study a wide range of literary texts, learning to read closely, to ask sharp questions, and to write skillfully and with purpose. At all levels of the curriculum, English majors engage with questions of genre, form, style, author, and audience as well as with questions of history, nation, culture, and social identity. 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. By combining the critical skills of close reading, analysis, and writing with the comparative, critical knowledge and perspectives of Africana studies, students will enter the workforce equipped to recognize, challenge, and tackle some of society’s most pressing issues in the realms of advocacy, cultural production, media, social services, communications, and education. Students will also be prepared for advanced study in graduate programs in a range of fields. English, in particular, is a top major for those looking to enter law school because of its emphasis on strong reading and writing skills.

Recent job ads that seek the skill set of a Law and Justice & Africana Studies major:

Policing/Law Enforcement:
“The unique role of law enforcement officials in any community makes cross-cultural understanding imperative. In addition to the need to ensure officer-to-officer sensitivity, to accurately represent its constituents, law enforcement officials need understanding, respect, and a willingness to communicate with all segments of the population.” In Miami, we really celebrate diversity. Anyone considering a career in law enforcement should consider studying different social and ethnic groups to add to the firsthand experiences in their different cultures.”

Corrections Officer:
“Corrections officers work with diverse populations and must be able to effectively interact with all kinds of people. Officers must be prepared to proactively become aware of cultural differences, in order to support positive communications.  Officers must also be prepared to examine their own personal biases and prejudices, so that they do not result in discriminatory behaviors.  Officers are bound by law enforcement ethics, professionalism, and civil rights law, to conduct their duties in an impartial manner..”

Africana Studies and Law and Justice

Double majoring in Law & Justice Studies and Africana Studies at Rowan will equip you with the skills and critical thinking abilities highly sought by employers. In a recent poll, more than 80% of employers said they desired the following skills in employees:

• Communications skills;
• Research and writing experience;
• Cultural knowledge and sensitivity;
• Humanist qualities, values, and perspectives (intellectual curiosity, creativity, independence, flexibility, empathy, compassion, etc.).

Both Law and Justice and Africana Studies emphasize critical thinking rooted in the examination of historical texts and the important role race has and continues to play in the administration of justice. The Law & Justice Studies (LJS) major provides students with an interdisciplinary approach to the study of crime, the function of criminal law and the criminal justice system. LJS majors enage in a critical analysis of crime, criminal justice, law enforcement, sentencing and corrections, human rights, and local/global terrorism. 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. By combining the critical skills of close reading, analysis, and writing with the comparative, critical knowledge and perspectives of Africana studies, students will enter the workforce equipped to recognize, challenge, and tackle some of society’s most pressing issues in the realms of advocacy, cultural production, racial literacy,  media, communications, and education. Students will also be prepared for advanced study in graduate programs in a range of fields. LJS, in particular, is a top major for those looking to enter law school because of its emphasis on the law and criminal justice system.