ABOUT US
What is the Africana Studies Program?
Africana Studies is committed to promoting social justice and community engagement that reflect the origins of our interdisciplinary field. Our research critically engages the experiences of people of the African Diaspora across a variety of domains that encompass the human experience. Our undergraduate and graduate programs promote critical thinking, research skills and proficiency in oral and written communication.
The Department of Africana Studies has enriched the intellectual and cultural life on campus and in the Atlanta metropolitan area in several ways:
We have hosted national academic conferences, sponsored lectures, been a model of interdisciplinary collaboration and developing community linkages with such organizations as the Auburn Avenue Research Library on African-American Culture and History, Hammond House Galleries and Resource of African American Art, Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, the Federation of Southern Cooperatives, The United States Human Rights Network, Project South-Institute for the Elimination of Poverty and Genocide and Forever Family (formerly Aid to Children of Imprisoned Mothers). From 2002 to 2011, the department housed the national office of the National Council for Black Studies. Students have won national essay contests and participated in national and international scholarly conferences, as well as hosted informative and stimulating campus programming through its majors and affiliate student organization, Sankofa Society. The department has also incorporated a study abroad program to expand the influence of Africana Studies throughout the Diaspora. A dedicated faculty, outstanding staff and enthusiastic students have propelled the department on to the discipline's national landscape. Continued faculty, staff and student participation in civic engagement and social justice advocacy remains one of the keystone principles of the Department of Africana Studies.
We are building a legacy of scholar-activism and welcome you to be a part of it.
Our Mission
The Department of Africana Studies at Georgia State University is dedicated to preserving, fostering, and expanding the interdisciplinary study of Black people and all those of African descent. Building on a tradition of academic excellence and social responsibility, we provide critical service to the intellectual community, the larger society and the world.
Our Vision
It is the vision of the Department of Africana Studies that each student touched by us, each faculty member who teaches, each worker supporting our goals, each community person we engage with and the wider Georgia State community will witness and benefit from our work to promote academic excellence and social responsibility grounded in the cultural heritage of Africana peoples.
Affirming Our Commitment To Social Responsibility
Inclusivity Statement: In keeping with our tradition of academic excellence and social responsibility, the Department of Africana Studies at Georgia State University welcomes all peoples regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender expression, sexual identity, or disability status. We subscribe to the principles of self-determination for all peoples and intentionally seek to recognize and affirm all of the varied identities that we engage and encounter.
Statement Against Sexual Misconduct
In our commitment to a safe learning environment for everyone in our community, and in accordance with federal and state law as well as the policies of the University System of Georgia, the Department of Africana Studies will not tolerate any instance of sexual misconduct. Please view our full statement HERE.
Basic Needs Statement: Students who face challenges securing their food or housing and believe this may affect their performance in a course are urged to contact the dean of students for support. Notify the professor if you are comfortable in doing so. This will enable us to provide resources we may possess. The Embark program provides resources for students facing homelessness.
Contact Us
Main Office
Department Chair WebEx office hours:
By appointment only
WebEx
Addresses
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 4109
Atlanta, GA 30302-4109
Express Mail Address:
1 Park Place South, Suite 962
Atlanta, GA 30303