Boston University Launches Major in African American Studies

Boston University’s African American Studies Program is undergoing a significant transformation, marked by growing student and faculty interest and bolstered by strong University support. This momentum has culminated in the program’s evolution into a major, set to launch this fall, and a broader focus on the African American and Black diaspora.

Program Expansion and New Offerings

Under the leadership of Louis Chude-Sokei, director of the African American Studies Program and the George and Joyce Wein Chair in African American Studies, the program has expanded considerably. The course catalog now features 29 new offerings, spanning disciplines like religion, law, political science, history, medicine, and more. These courses explore topics such as Race, Memory, and Diaspora in US Popular Music, The Prison and Black Writing, and Reparations for Slavery and Jim Crow Segregation. The program has also added five new faculty members and six faculty affiliates.

A Shift Towards a Global Perspective

The newly established major, formally titled African American and Black diaspora studies, reflects a deliberate shift towards a more global and comparative approach. While the program has historically included a global component, this change formalizes the exploration of racial formations and experiences across the world, incorporating issues of gender, sexuality, and immigration. The program aims to build upon its existing annual trip to Cuba, which studies the African diaspora in Latin America, and expand international travel opportunities for students.

Historical Context and Future Goals

Founded in 1969 by sociologist Adelaide Cromwell (Hon.’95), BU’s African American Studies program is the country’s second oldest, following San Francisco State University, and the first to offer a graduate degree in the subject. Chude-Sokei’s goal upon joining BU five years ago was to establish a major, a step many peer institutions had already taken. The program also aims to secure funding for community internships and expand its graduate program, building on the foundation laid by Cromwell.

Student and Faculty Perspectives

Students are enthusiastic about the new major. Keanna Goddard (CAS’25), planning to major in both African American and Black diaspora studies and philosophy, highlights the program’s ability to broaden perspectives and encourage research. A’yanna Rouse (CAS’25), a computer science major minoring in African American studies, views the major as a step towards greater inclusion and diversity at BU. Faculty members, like Saida Grundy, an assistant professor of sociology and African American studies, praise Chude-Sokei’s leadership in strengthening the program and fostering a sense of community.

The Value of African American and Black Diaspora Studies

Chude-Sokei emphasizes the importance of African American studies as a discipline that has significantly influenced the humanities, particularly in areas like race, gender, immigration, and critical race theory. He notes that the program explores a range of diverse and sometimes conflicting perspectives on race and Black experiences globally, rejecting a singular definition of antiracism or a homogenous Black community.