Undergraduate Education>>Majors>>| African and African American Studies | Asian American Studies | Chicana and Chicano Studies | Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity | Jewish Studies | Native American Studies

African and African American Studies (AAAS)

The Program in African and African American Studies (AAAS), established in 1968, was the first ethnic studies program developed at Stanford University. The AAAS program provides an interdisciplinary introduction to (I) the field of African American history, literature, and culture as a central component of American culture; and (II) the field of African history, literature, and culture as well as the history, literature, and culture of people of African descent. Majors and minors are expected to develop some knowledge in both fields but with a special emphasis on either I or II. AAAS majors, minors and double majors have numerous opportunities to obtain academic advising. The chair advises all AAAS students, and their progress is closely followed by the program coordinator. When the time comes to choose between the different options for study, students can turn to faculty with expertise in the different areas. Majors also have the opportunity to participate in individual and group mentoring activities offered by CSRE.

Professor Michele Elam (Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies of English) is the director of AAAS.