Not a Student?
Go to AP Central for resources for teachers, administrators, and coordinators.
About the Course
AP African American Studies offers a rich, source-based encounter with African American experiences. You’ll explore key topics that extend from early African kingdoms to contemporary challenges and achievements. Drawing from disciplines including history, literature, the arts, geography, science, and law, you’ll study the vital contributions and experiences of African Americans and members of Black communities within the broader context of the African diaspora.
Throughout the course, you’ll examine different themes from a variety of perspectives, ultimately choosing a topic of focus for your individual student project, where you’ll define a research topic and present your argument.
Skills You'll Learn
Applying disciplinary knowledge of course concepts, developments, patterns, and processes
Evaluating written and visual sources and data
Developing an argument using a line of reasoning to connect claims and evidence
Equivalency and Prerequisites
College Course Equivalent
AP African American Studies is equivalent to an introductory college-level African American Studies course.
Recommended Prerequisites
None
Exam Date
About the Units
The course content outlined below is organized into commonly taught units of study that provide one possible sequence for the course. Your teacher may choose to organize the course content differently based on local priorities and preferences.
Credit and Placement
Search AP Credit Policies
Find colleges that grant credit and/or placement for AP Exam scores in this and other AP courses.
Course Resources
See Where AP Can Take You
AP African American Studies can lead to a wide range of careers and college majors