The African and African American Studies (AAAS) Program at ASU has assembled a dynamic faculty engaged in interrogating the riveting complexities of Africa, its migratory Diaspora and the robust lives of African peoples that has emerged from such dislocations. Trained in a variety of disciplines including anthropology, health, history, journalism, literature, sociology, political science and women’s studies, the faculty examines a wide array of critical issues of African descended peoples across the stages of life at various times and places in history including, for example, pre-colonial and colonial history, and contemporary issues of Africa; the literary contributions of African descended peoples; the complexities of Islam as a religion and political force; the Black child and Black families; high risk behaviors of teenagers, and media messages on drugs, alcohol and sex; women’s international human rights; the politics of the Caribbean, and notions of democracy, security and stability; and Diaspora in the Phoenix Valley.

AAAS provides students with a rigorous education about Africa and the peoples of African descent in the tradition of the liberal arts, and from a global perspective.  Our new curriculum provides students with the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in African and African American Studies with a concentration in Africa, African America, or Caribbean and Afro-Latin America. We also offer graduate studies in the form of a Graduate Certificate in African and African American Studies. Our inter and trans disciplinary curriculum and individual courses based in the humanities, social and behavioral sciences and the arts are designed to cultivate rigorous thought, lucid prose writing and articulate speech in our students in order to prepare them for advanced study in a variety of fields, to pursue successful careers and to cultivate a love of life long learning while fostering a commitment to public service.

Come join us at AAAS in this fascinating intellectual journey!

Message from the director