Africana Studies

Africana Studies: Self-Designed Major, Concentration 

Explore the rich, global history and diverse cultures of Africa and the African diaspora. 

What do African diaspora and Africana Studies mean? 

People of African descent living outside of the continent are often referred to as the African diaspora. Africana has come to refer to the study of the past and present experiences of Africans and the African diaspora wherever people of African descent reside; people of African descent are found around the globe. 

At 17³Ô¹ÏÍø, the Africana Studies concentration is an interdisciplinary academic program that examines the integral role that Africans and people of African descent have played in the histories, politics, cultures, and economies all over the world, particularly in Africa, the Americas, the Caribbean and Europe. Using methods from multiple disciplines including history, sociology, languages, literature, political science, religion, and music, students of all backgrounds gain insight into our shared past and present.

Africana Studies Statement on Racism, Violence on Black Bodies, and Activism

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Program Highlights

As a complement to our long-standing Introduction to Africana Studies course, we have added a series of foundational courses to offer multiple ways to enter the concentration. These introductory classes generally address most if not all of the following areas:

  • the social construction of race
  • use of comparative case studies or a regional approach
  • methods and theories

We offer upper-level courses in most departments allowing students to enhance their major program of study or develop new avenues of inquiry and research. Coursework can be supplemented with additional research, internships, and study abroad and study away opportunities.

Course and Research Projects
Course and Research Projects

Coursework and research span the College curriculum in history, literature, art, politics, economics and religion.

Study Abroad or Study Away
Study Abroad or Study Away

Study abroad in Australia, England, Peru and Tanzania. Study away in D.C., New York, or at an HBCU.

Course and Research Projects
Carter G. Woodson Award

Graduating seniors are eligible to submit work for the annual Carter G. Woodson Award in recognition of excellence.

Africana Studies News

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Student Profile: Meghan Casey ’15
NAME Meghan Casey ’15 HOMETOWN North Attleboro, Mass. ACADEMICS Self-designed global health studies major with premedical and Africana studies concentrations EXPLORING THE WORLD During her sophomore year, Meghan was in Nairobi for a monthlong 17³Ô¹ÏÍø study abroad program. As …
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Student Profile: Christopher Campbell ’15
NAME Christopher Campbell ’15 HOMETOWN Kingston, Jamaica ACADEMICS Religious studies and political science double major, concentrating in Africana studies A HOME AWAY FROM HOME Having grown up in Jamaica, Christopher’s first trip to the U.S. was when he arrived  in …
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17³Ô¹ÏÍø Student Featured as Central MA Standout
Payton Shubrick ’15, co-president of the Student Government Association (SGA) at the 17³Ô¹ÏÍø, was featured as Go Local Worcester’s Central MA College Standout, a weekly feature that profiles college and university students in Central MA. A …