AFAS - Washington University

Historically, Black student protestors in the Brookings Hall Occupation of 1968 demanded a Black Studies Department. In 1969, Washington University began offering courses under the rubric of Black Studies.

The Department of African and African-American Studies offers opportunities for students to explore the social, political and intellectual history as well as the literature, culture and artistic life of various peoples in the world who are African or of African descent. Led by leading scholars in their fields of Africana Studies, Anthropology, History, English, Sociology, Design, and more, the department examines a wide spectrum of experiences and issues and is both multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary in its approach.

The department regularly sponsors lectures and events, such as plays, film festivals, exhibits, field trips, and panels and speakers, which focus on contemporary or perennial topics of interest in all areas of the Black experience.