Welcome

African American Studies is dedicated to developing expertise and knowledge of the black experience in the African Diaspora. We offer a forum for students to understand the significant contributions blacks have made to world civilization and the American experiment.

African American Studies "is not simply some automatic understanding that flows from being black," but represent "a conscious inquiry into the history, culture, and sociopolitical condition of African and African American people. It is an exploration that calls for understanding of African and African American realities in the world, not divorced from it."—Dr. Johnetta Cole

Upcoming Course Highlight

Summer 2009: AFA2300 Intro to Music by African Americans provides a comprehensive look at music established by African Americans and rooted in African traditions. Beginning with traditional African Music, the class will track the African influences in the following genres: Negro Spirituals, Jazz, Blues, Doo Wop, Rock and Roll, Soul, Funk, Hip-Hop and Neo Soul.

Today in African American History

  • 1881 Tuskegee Institute opens in Tuskegee, Alabama with Booker T. Washington as its first president.
  • 1876 E. M. Bannister, African American painter, exhibits Under the Oaks at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia and is awarded first prize.

UPCOMING EVENTS

There are currently no upcoming events.