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    African American Studies
    Mailing Address: Bentley Annex 350
    A plaque on the Ohio University African American Alumni Heritage Wall
    African American Studies Department
    Undergraduate Degrees

    African American Studies Department

    You'll learn from many disciplines and explore the histories, societies and cultures of African and African-descended people in the United States and abroad.

    With an African American Studies major, you'll explore your responsibilities and opportunities in the world—and how to have an impact both globally and locally. 

    1
    One of a few programs with departmental status in the state of Ohio.
    1959
    The year delegates from 100 nations arrived at OHIO to hear Martin Luther King Jr. and others.
    1st
    John Newton Templeton was the first Black American to earn an advanced degree in Ohio and is believed to be the fourth Black college graduate in the country.

    Discovering New Knowledge about African American Literature, Labor, Music & Culture

    African American Studies faculty members have made valuable contributions to the field of African American and African Studies in the United States and around the world. 

    The geographical focus of the department's teaching and research is the United States Black Experience with a particular emphasis in Appalachia.

    African American Studies Research

    Faculty Research Areas

    Preserving Our History

    • African American Research and Service Institute

      The institute encourages interdisciplinary and community-based research related to experiences of people of African descent. Its primary research focus is on African American experiences in rural America, especially the Ohio River Valley.

      African American Research and Service Institute

    African American Studies Student Experiences — Here and Abroad

    In the Community. Around the World. Just a few places you might get hands-on experience.

    The 90-year Journey of a Harlem Renaissance Novel

    Thanks to Dr. Gary Holcomb, Claude McKay's "Romance in Marseille" groundbreaking and inclusive novel made it to bookshelves.
    Dr. Holcomb's Discovery
    About Dr. Holcomb

    African American Studies Careers & Internships

    Many African American Studies majors have gone on to graduate school and carved for themselves influential careers in a variety of fields, including law, the performing arts, international affairs, religion, politics, education, and business.

    African American Studies Careers & Internships

    Ohio University alumnus Bryson Rose

    Alumni Engagement & Giving Opportunities

    Alumni involvement drives innovation and impact in the African American Studies Department for both students and faculty. Explore the areas of highest need for our department, including supporting students, experiential learning and investing in faculty.

    African American Studies Giving Opportunities

    LeKeisha Grant

    African American Studies News

    View All African American Studies News

    A black-and-white postcard of a group of people from the early 1900's

    More than 'reviving the past'

    The African American Research and Services Institute celebrates its official re-opening Nov. 1.

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    CTLA to offer three Faculty Learning Communities during fall semester

    The Faculty Learning Communities will focus on exploring pedagogical wellness, the affective domain of Bloom’s Pedagogy, or building student engagement with peer feedback.

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    Jesse McCarthy

    D&I, Department of African American Studies to host Jesse McCarthy, Harvard professor and author, for lecture on March 27

    The Division of Diversity and Inclusion and the Department of African American Studies will host Jesse McCarthy, Assistant Professor in the Departments of English and of African and African American Studies at Harvard University, for a lecture Wednesday, March 27.

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    African American Studies Events

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