African & African American Studies

The interdisciplinary minor is global in scope — exploring the histories and experiences of communities of African and African descent throughout the world, including the African continent, Afro-Latin American and Caribbean world, Indian Ocean world, and the United States.

Overview

Our program draws from expertise in the fields of anthropology, gender studies, history, language and literature, music and the performing arts, international studies, and sociology. In doing so, we address critical questions concerning cultural and intellectual production, gender, race, ethnicity, diversity, empowerment, global justice, and systemic violence.

The minor equips students to think critically about our intimately interconnected world. Students will develop the necessary skills to convey and articulate the conditions and experiences of African societies and communities of the African Diaspora into spaces that include business and law, policy, performance, research, public discourse.

Curriculum

To complete the minor, students must take six courses: five designated courses on African and African Studies—2 or 3 on continental Africa and 2 or 3 on Africa America and the African Diaspora—and AAS 500 Colloquium.

African and African American Studies Faculty

Lady with dark hair pulled back in ponytail wearing black top in front of beige wall

Katrin Bahr

  • Assistant Professor of German • Fulbright and DAAD Fellowship Advisor
  • Chair, German, Chinese, and Japanese
Man with dark hair and beard wearing blue patterned button up standing outside on campus

Jonathon L. Earle

  • Marlene and David Grissom Associate Professor of Social Studies
  • Co-Chair of Uganda Studies Group (African Studies Association)
  • Senior Editor of Oxford Research Encyclopedia of African History
Lady with shoulder length hair wearing floral top standing in front of Old 911ºÚÁÏ

Lori Hartmann

  • Professor of International Studies
  • Co-Chair of African and African American Studies Program
  • Chair of International Studies and Politics Programs
Lady with long dark hair wearing black jacket and grey top in front of black background

Chantell Limerick

  • Associate Professor of Spanish
  • Co-Chair of African and African American Studies Program
Lady with long dark hair wearing glasses, earrings, and gold necklace, with black top in front of black background

Tara Strauch

  • Associate Professor of History
  • Chair of History Program
Man with blonde hair wearing glasses with dark sweater and blue button up dress shirt in front of dark background

Johann J. Van Niekerk

  • Associate Professor of Music and Director of Choral Ensembles and Voice
  • Chair of Music Program (Fall 2024)
Man with dark hair with beard wearing glasses, dark suit coat and light blue shirt standing in front of black background

Ian W. Wilson

  • H. W. Stodghill, Jr. and Adele H. Stodghill Professor of German
  • Assistant Dean of General Education

Take the Next Step