African and African American Studies

The African and African American studies program at Grand Valley State University provides a foundation for understanding the history and culture of African Americans and their representation in social, scientific and artistic discourses, in addition to the critical tools needed to examine the social construction of African American lives and community. Although the course of studies is intended to cast light on all aspects of the African American community, the dispersion of African culture beyond the continent of Africa situates the program in studies and discourses in Africa, the United States, Central and South America, and the Caribbean, wherever people of African descent are found. The perspective presented is that of the North American, the U.S. student, looking within the United States and then outward to Africa and other locations of the diaspora to understand what the African American experience means.

 

For changes or additions to this website, please contact Barb Blankemeier at (616) 331-8110 or areastudies@gvsu.edu.