Northeastern University College of Arts and Sciences
African-American Studies

Drawing on faculty from across the College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of African-American Studies will enhance your understanding of black history, culture, language, political systems, and behavior so that you can appreciate the value of diverse racial, cultural, and ethnic groups.

The department focuses on three perspectives:

  • African-American studies looks at black people in the United States from the early days of colonization and enslavement to contemporary issues such as Hip-Hop culture and jazz.
  • “Studies of African Peoples” looks at the varied cultures, social structures, and political events on the continent.
  • Diaspora studies provide students with an overview of blacks living and retaining their culture away from their homeland, particularly in the Caribbean and Latin America.

These viewpoints show students the tremendously varied history, culture, society, and behavior of black people around the world, and help you understand how they have reacted to outside influences over time.

Course work ranges from “Music of Africa” to “Gender in the African Diaspora” and from “Black Community and Social Change” to “Third World Political Relationships.” This diversity of knowledge can lead to a career in a museum, business, or public service, but the lifelong gain will be a deeper understanding and appreciation of how a people have influenced the world.