There is a serious demand for cultural pluralism and racial diversity in all universities throughout the country today. Such diverse integration is particularly important within the student body, faculty and especially the college curriculum. The African/African American Studies program at Dominican University was created by the Rosary College of Arts and Sciences to meet this need.

This interdisciplinary major is designed to provide students with a multicultural and international education, drawing from several disciplines including social sciences, natural sciences, humanities, fine arts and education. This is critical since the study of cultural heritage should not be limited to one point of view.

Among the goals of the program are: fostering tolerance, understanding and mutual respect needed to eradicate racism and ethnocentrism; interpreting the historical, cultural, political and socioeconomic experiences of peoples of African descent; studying the linkages and relationship between Africans on the continent and those in the diaspora; and understanding the experiences and most importantly the contributions of the peoples of African ancestry to the rest of the world.

The African/African-American Studies major is designed to enable students to demonstrate a deep understanding of African and African- American experiences, culture, societies, life, history and philosophies. Students must also be able to grasp, analyze and synthesize the various applicable texts used or recommended by disciplines which are included in the major. To achieve these goals, students must take a number of courses chosen in conference with a major advisor or the director of the African/ African-American Studies program.