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Studying African American & Diaspora Studies at UW will equip you to participate in a rapidly changing world where multicultural training and a deep appreciation for diversity will help you succeed in whatever path you choose.
African American & Diaspora Studies is available as an undergraduate major or minor through the College of Arts & Sciences, School for Culture, Gender and Social Justice.
What is African American & Diaspora Studies?
African American & Diaspora Studies (AADS) offers undergraduates an opportunity to engage in an interdisciplinary examination of the history, culture and life of African Americans and the African diaspora from ancient times to the present day. The African diaspora includes all people of African descent, not only in the United States but also in the Caribbean, the Americas, the African continent and Europe. AADS is also directly tied to the African and African American community in Laramie, offering a unique opportunity for interaction between the students who attend the university and the community at large.
The African American Diaspora Studies program offers a rich exploration of African and African American history and culture, taught by respected and passionate faculty.
Internships. AADS students enjoy impactful internships, study abroad opportunities (we have sent students to Ghana and London) and an active relationship with the Black Studies Center at UW.
Engaging Courses. Students explore a wide range of AADS subjects throughout the program, including popular courses on The Harlem Renaissance, The Black Freedom Movement, Traditional African Religion, African American Music, U.S. Women of Color and more.
Distinguished Faculty. Our AADS faculty are experts in their field, including Dr. Fredrick Douglass Dixon, who runs the Black Studies Center and has facilitated much community engagement around Laramie; Dr. Scott Henkel, who runs the Wyoming Institute for Humanities Research; Dr. Jacquelyn Bridgeman, who directs the School for Culture, Gender and Social Justice; and Dr. Tracey Patton, who has recently won prestigious awards for her research on adopted Black children in Germany.
A Legacy of Activism. The University of Wyoming's AADS program has been the main academic unit on campus to keep the history of the Black 14 alive. We have continued to bring back members of this group to campus, who were important for the history of civil rights in the state when they became national news in 1969 after being dismissed from the Wyoming Cowboys by their coach for protesting.
AADS is a versatile field of study. Students who major or minor in AADS will be prepared to pursue careers in management, communication, non-profit organizations, education and politics, among other fields. Famous majors with degrees in African American Studies include Angela Bassett (actress) and Mae Jemison (NASA astronaut).
African American & Diaspora Studies Careers
Here are just a few roles that University of Wyoming African American & Diaspora Studies alumni have had:
"As a student of color who graduated from a Wyoming public high school, I often felt my education on Black history was lacking. When I arrived at the University of Wyoming, I was so pleased to see there were courses and spaces specifically focused on Black history, art and culture."
- Former AADS Students
These are just a few of the courses you might take as an African American & Diaspora Studies major at the University of Wyoming:
View the degree plan for the Bachelor of Arts in African American & Diaspora Studies program.
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