Courses in the department of Afro-American Studies consider how racial blackness (and the concept of race itself) influences the development of the modern world.

A student in our department is first a critical thinker, one who learns to ask questions, seek connections, un-pack what is invisible or ignored.

This critical thinking is achieved through an interdisciplinary curriculum where students engage the methods of various disciplines (for example, history, sociology, and literature).

Our courses emphasize close-reading, research, and writing; they also encourage students to think about the Caribbean, Africa, and Diaspora communities in Europe and elsewhere.