African and African American Studies Program

African and African American Studies

The African and African American Studies Program works primarily from the African American experience outwards to the African Diaspora and, ultimately, the source-head of all things African: the African continent. Our program expands by focusing on the importance of the intellectual and cultural history of the global African presence in world affairs.

In addition to coursework, our department hosts conferences and presentations on topics ranging from "Race, Space, and Place" to the experiences of peoples of African descent in the Catholic Church. We partner with local organizations, including the Central District Forum for Arts and Ideas, Elliot Bay Bookshop, Seattle Arts Museum, and the Seattle Public Library, on our Town and Gown lecture series.

As an institutional citizen of Seattle and the larger northwest region, the African and African American Studies Program continues to deepen its positive impact on the state of general knowledge of the African American experience and that of the global African experience. Our goal is to make a difference in the education of the 21st century global citizens.

Degree offered: minor

Designed to complement a major field of study, the minor in African and African American Studies helps to prepare students for employment in a variety of professional and nonprofit fields and for graduate studies in a number of disciplines.