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Department of African American & African Studies
810 Social Science Building
267 19th Ave South
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Phone: 612-624-9847
E-mail: afroam@umn.edu

African American & African Studies

In our department, the focus and fusion of this diversity gives our students a special and rare opportunity. It also gives them an advantage. They are more aware and understand better the significance of African American and African history and culture. We create a knowledge base that is diverse and widely applicable. Our students have gone on to a myriad of careers, including advanced study in areas of concentration begun in this department.

A quick perusal of our courses will reveal the depth and diversity of our curriculum. Students can study various languages of the Diaspora, including Arabic, Swahili, and Hausa. Subjects that, for example, explore the Harlem Renaissance, Contemporary Issues in Africa, The Black Family, hip hop, the Civil Rights Movement, Racism, the History of East Africa, Social Policy and the Welfare State, the literature of Black men and women, and much more are offered every semester.

Our curriculum reflects the issues of contemporary life

The faculty of the Department of African American and African Studies is a distinguished one with renowned literary scholars, language scholars, historians, sociologists, psychologists and a novelist.

The diversity of our faculty and our course offerings contribute to an environment that encourages engaged learning through:

  • Exciting and informed learning in the traditional classroom and in the field;
  • A multidisciplinary approach that allows students to experience a wide range of professions including business, medicine, law, humanities, social sciences and foreign affairs; and,
  • Researching and teaching on African American and African issues of local, regional, national and international importance.

In addition, we strongly encourage and facilitate learning abroad opportunities, undergraduate research, and internship opportunities.

Viewed as a whole, the African American and African Studies curriculum in engaged learning offers students an informed liberal arts education, an enhanced undergraduate experience at the University of Minnesota, and preparation for any number of academic and professional occupations. Come visit us in room 808 of the Social Sciences Tower on the West Bank!