African-American Studies

African American Studies is an indispensable part of the mission and vision of San José State University. Mission: The Department of African American Studies aims to provide students throughout the University with critical, interdisciplinary, and specialized knowledge about African and African American populations and its communities. Our curriculum, programming, and scholarship examines, explores, and engages the intellectual traditions within the African Diaspora from multiple perspectives—historical, cultural, philosophical, political, social, and theoretical—in service to its students and society. Vision: The Department of African American Studies at San José State University will be the premier center of research, scholarship, teaching and service for and about the African Diaspora in the Silicon Valley and the South Bay area. Through collaboration and cooperation with community agencies and entities across the area and Black Studies scholars across the University and the city, The Department of African American Studies will serve as the leading authority on Black experiences locally, nationally, and globally.