professor sitting at table along with four other students
Program Director and Associate Professor of Africana studies Darko Opoku teaches African Politics through the First-Year Seminar Program. Photo credit: Matthew Lester
Program Overview

Africana Studies

Program Type: Major, Minor
  • Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Department: Africana Studies

The major in Africana studies prepares students to become adept critical thinkers, presenters, and researchers, as well as valuable global citizens. Because Africana studies is a multidisciplinary degree program, we offer courses to students of any major—knowledge to expand your worldview and deepen understanding of people of African ancestry.

Program Director

Darko Opoku Associate Professor of Africana Studies

Contact

David Divins Administrative Assistant 440-775-8923

Why Study Africana Studies at Oberlin?

12
Associated Faculty
18
Variety of Courses
1
Program House

Afrikan Heritage House

Students majoring in Africana studies have the option of living in Afrikan Heritage House, a residence hall and the college’s black collective and cultural center. Students who want to heighten their understanding of African, Africana, and African Caribbean traditions choose to live here. Stop in to partake of soul sessions, art shows, and poetry readings, and other happenings.

Study Away

Broaden your academic experience: Study away in the English-speaking countries of Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, and Tanzania, where students are placed at universities or accommodated in international programs. Students proficient French can study at the Universities of Dakar and Sheikh Anta Diop in Senegal. Other opportunities are available in the Caribbean and South America.

Student Clubs and Organizations

With nearly 200 student groups and clubs from which to choose, you’d be hard pressed not to get involved in something. From politics to faith and identity, and from counseling to sports, Oberlin has an array of clubs open to new and returning students.

Sample Courses

  • AAST 101 - Introduction to Africana Studies 4 credits
  • AAST 190 - West African Dance Forms in the Diaspora I: Survey 4 credits
  • AAST 268 - Black Arts Workshop 4 credits
  • AAST 357 - Empire and Resistance in the Caribbean (Haiti, Jamaica, Grenada, & Trinidad) 4 credits
Curriculum and requirements

Africana Studies Faculty

The multidisciplinary Africana Studies Program draws its chair, faculty, and affiliate faculty from throughout the college, who are committed to teaching wide-ranging subjects concerning the African and black experience. Subject specialties include African history, African diaspora, Africana philosophy, film, art, politics, and black feminist theories.

Explore Faculty within Africana Studies

Africana Studies Faculty

Africana Studies News

A girl draws with chalk on a sidewalk.

This Week in Photos: Creativity and Strength

November 13, 2020
Inspirational words and chalk drawn images on the sidewalks of Wilder Bowl greeted those passing by this past week. This chalk walk exercise resulted in several standout images featured in this week’s photo series.
View all Africana Studies news