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Growing an Innovative Curriculum: New and Updated AAAS Courses for Fall

August 17, 2022

Michigan State University’s Department of African American and African Studies (AAAS) continues its upward trajectory with the addition of five new or revised courses for the Fall 2022 semester. The courses offer contemporary perspectives and innovative curriculum within the evolving discipline of Black Studies. Each course highlights the department’s focus on Black Feminisms, Black Gender Studies, and Black Sexualities Studies…

African American and African Studies / Diversity, Equity and Inclusion / Faculty / Faculty / Lansing-East Lansing Impact / News

MSU African American and African Studies ‘Unicorns’ Drive Black Futures Beyond Survival Into Wellness

April 11, 2022

The Department of African American and African Studies (AAAS) was initially founded as a Ph.D. granting program in 2002. On July 1, 2019, AAAS became a department. In Spring 2020, MSU appointed Ruth Nicole Brown the inaugural chair.

African American and African Studies / Diversity, Equity and Inclusion / Faculty / Lansing-East Lansing Impact / News / Programs / Student / Student / Uncategorized

New BA Degree in African American and African Studies Now Offered at MSU

March 29, 2022

For the first time in Michigan State University history, undergraduate students can major in African American and African Studies. This semester, MSU’s College of Arts & Letters launched the Bachelor of Arts degree in African American and African Studies through the Department of African American and African Studies (AAAS) that was founded in February 2019. Ruth Nicole Brown, AAAS Professor…

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion / Event / Lansing-East Lansing Impact / News / Student

Ph.D. Student Honored with Community Engagement Scholarship Award

March 18, 2022

Committed to raising awareness about critical issues and the academic or community-based work being done to solve them, Sharieka Shontae Botex, a third-year Ph.D. student in MSU’s Writing and Rhetoric program, created the Shaping Society Through Scholarship and Action event, which featured Black women scholars and their community-focused work as well as the important work of local leaders and community organizers.…

African American and African Studies / Faculty / Faculty / News / Programs / Staff

Sonic Introductions Reflect Love of Self, Community, and AAAS

February 4, 2022

The Department of African American and African Studies (AAAS) faculty wish to motivate and inspire others by sharing, through personally created Sonic Introductions, what inspires them in their work and personal life. These Sonic Introductions can be found on the AAAS website and consist of audio clips from interviews combined with music and ambient sounds, all selected to showcase what…

African American and African Studies / Diversity, Equity and Inclusion / Student

Student Driven by Passion for Black History, Aspires to Help Community

January 26, 2022

Morgan Braswell said she is not the first in her family to attend college. But she is the first to stay the course. A sophomore, Braswell expects to graduate from Michigan State University in 2024 with her bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She’s also on track to complete a second major in African American and African Studies. It’s a scholarly path that…

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion / Internship / News / Programs / Scholarship / Student

Student Aspires to Preserve Literature and Activist Thought That Shaped Her Life

January 21, 2022

Growing up, Camille Jackson set a goal to pursue higher education. Now that she’s close to receiving her bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University, she’s expanded her goals to attend graduate school and to preserve the cultural works that shaped her trajectory as a first-generation college student. When she graduates from MSU this May, Jackson will conclude one leg of…

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion / News / Student

Exploring Cultural Identity Through AAAS Department Courses

January 17, 2022

Deon Bennett came to Michigan State University intent on becoming more independent and open to new opportunities. He achieved that and more through academic and leadership activities that have inspired him to learn more about his culture and leave a legacy for others facing similar challenges as young Black men. Bennett started his scholarly exploration of the Black experience by…

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion / Faculty / News / Programs

AAAS Department to Offer Several New Classes in Spring 2022

December 1, 2021

The Department of African American and African Studies (AAAS) is offering several new or revised undergraduate courses during the Spring 2022 semester that each, in their own way, highlight and emphasize the department’s focus on Black Feminisms, Black Genders Studies, and Black Sexualities Studies. “Excellence in undergraduate education requires an ethic of care for students’ ideas and a demonstrated actionable…

Portraits of 3 smiling women with short dark hair.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion / Faculty / News

AAAS Department Welcomes Three New Faculty Members

August 23, 2021

The Department of African American and African Studies will welcome three new faculty members as the 2021-2022 academic year begins. In September 2021, Trimiko Melancon, LeConté Dill, and Gianina Lockley will join this new department within the College of Arts & Letters. 