The mission of the Africana Studies Program is to understand and appreciate the integral yet distinct experiences of people of African heritage throughout the world. The program’s curriculum aims to emphasize diasporic connections between Africa, the Caribbean, Europe and the Americas in an effort to enrich our understanding and appreciation of our complex and diverse world. Deeply interdisciplinary, the Africana Studies Program engages a wide swath of faculty from various departments/programs as course instructors and program interlocutors. Given this approach, the program encourages students to seek appropriate ways to integrate content and analysis in this broad subject matter with their work in other disciplines and programs. Graduates of the Program will be critical, thoughtful global citizens, well-prepared to succeed professionally, academically, and personally in our pluralistic world.

McKinley E. Melton (joined Rhodes faculty in 2024). Professor and Chair of Africana Studies. B.A., Duke University; Ph.D, University of Massachusetts Amherst. (Africana Studies, African American Literature and Culture).

Katherine Clay Bassard (2021). Professor of English and Africana Studies. B.A., Wake Forest University; M.A., Virginia Commonwealth University; Ph.D., Rutgers University. (Africana Studies, African American Literature and Culture).

Cara Djonko-Moore (2018). Associate Professor and Chair of Educational Studies. B.A., Northwestern University; M.A., University of Pennsylvania; Ph.D., Temple University. (Culturally Responsive Pedagogy, Urban Education).

Charles Hughes (2012). Associate Professor of History and Urban Studies; The J.J. McComb Chair in History. B.A., M.A., and Ph.D., University of Wisconsin. (African American History, Popular Music and Culture, Twentieth-century United States).

Charles W. McKinney, Jr. (2004). Professor of History. B.A., Morehouse College; M.A. and Ph.D., Duke University. (African American History, Civil Rights Studies, Twentieth-century United States).

Samson Ndanyi (2018). Associate Professor of History and Africana Studies.  B.S. and M.S., Towson University; M.A., Morgan State University; Ph.D., Indiana University, Bloomington. (African History, African American Studies, African Diaspora Studies, World History).

Requirements for a Major in Africana Studies 

A total of 44 Credits (typically, 11 courses) as follows: 

• AFS 105: Introduction to Africana Studies (Required Course)
• AFS 305: Africana Theory & Methods (Required Course)
• AFS 485: Senior Seminar in Africana Studies (Required Course)
• 32 Credits (typically 8 courses) in Africana Studies Courses or AFS-Approved Electives
  • 8 credits (typically 2 courses) in Area of Inquiry I:  "Literature, Arts, & Culture" 
  • 8 credits (typically 2 courses) in Area of Inquiry II: "History, Religion, & Philosophy"
  • 8 credits (typically 2 courses) in Area of Inquiry III: "Health, Politics, & Society"
  • 8 additional credits (typically 2 courses) in any of the above Areas of Inquiry

Additional Considerations:

• At least 8 credits (typically 2 courses) must be taken at the 300/400 level (not including AFS 305 and AFS 485). 
• At least 8 credits (typically 2 courses) must have a Diasporan (non-US) focus 
• Students may count only 4 credits of AFS 460 - "Africana Studies Internship" toward the AFS Major

A total of 24 credits (typically, 6 courses) as follows:

1. Africana Studies 105: "Introduction to Africana Studies" (Required Course)
2. Additional 20 credits (typically, 5 courses) of Africana Studies Courses or AFS-Approved Electives

Additional Considerations:

• Courses, collectively, must cover at least two of the following Areas of Inquiry within Africana Studies
  • AFS Area of Inquiry I: "Literature, Arts, & Culture"
  • AFS Area of Inquiry II: "History, Religion, & Philosophy"
  • AFS Area of Inquiry III: "Health, Politics, & Society"
• At least Four (4) credits (typically one course) must be at the 300 or 400 level
• At least Four (4) credits (typically one course) must have a Diasporan (non-US) focus
• Students may count only Four (4) credits of AFS 460 - "Africana Studies Internship" toward the AFS minor