Africana Studies

University of Tennessee College of Arts and Sciences

A group of students behind a sign that says Cape of Good Hope

What You’ll Study

Africana Studies is multicultural, interdisciplinary, and transnational in its orientation; its reach extends from Africa to North America, the Caribbean, South and Central America, Asia, and Europe.

The curriculum of the program focuses on:

  • The diversity and complexity of indigenous African cultures, histories, religions, and civilizations;
  • the impacts of slavery, colonialism, war, terrorism, genocide, racism, and imperialism;
  • the consequences of social inequalities in the form of race/ethnicity, class, and gender;
  • the disparities in health and education and environmental problems;
  • the issues of globalization and the fast changing world of science and technology;
  • training students for leadership and service;
  • the positive impacts of social and national/civil rights movements; and,
  • the importance of education, democracy, human rights, self-determination, multiculturalism, and sustainable development.

Reach out to the Interim Department Head:

A an orange Power "T" flag, for the University of Tennessee, waves against a bright blue, cloudy sky.

Featured Course

AFST 313 Social Context of African American Health

This course begins with the African context and imposition of chattel slavery. To that extent, the course examines social, cultural and historical factors affecting the health status of African Americans to the present era. It explores a variety of health-related issues, including the interplay between environment, biology and culture, and popular health practices; folk and popular health practices; structured inequality and oppression; lifestyle, beliefs and values; and the organization and delivery of health care. Satisfies Volunteer Core Requirement: (EI)

Learn about AFST 313