African and African Diaspora Studies is the discipline that studies the cultures, societies, and political economies of people of African descent in the United States and throughout the world. African and African Diaspora Studies uses both quantitative and qualitative methods of inquiry to describe, explain, evaluate, and predict the lived experiences of people of African descent. The major in African and African Diaspora Studies thus educates students in the best traditions of the liberal arts and sciences, providing them with a sound knowledge of the past, present, and future roles of people of African descent in structuring life in diverse societies. The department’s courses are designed to satisfy the needs of students who desire to specialize in African and African Diaspora Studies or whose career objectives make it desirable to have knowledge of the people of African descent in the United States and throughout the world.

Students thinking of majoring or minoring in African and African Diaspora Studies are encouraged to contact the department for assistance at uwm.edu/african-diaspora-studies/contact-us.

Programs

African and African Diaspora Studies Courses

NameRankDegreeSchoolGraduate FacultyEmeritus Faculty
Osei-Mensah Aborampah Professor PhD No Yes
Peter Akubeze Senior Information Processing Consultant No No
Patrick Bellegarde-Smith Professor PhD No Yes
Abera Gelan Associate Professor PhD University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Yes No
Ermitte Saint Jacques Assistant Professor PhD University of Florida Yes No
Joyce F. Kirk Associate Professor PhD No Yes
Nolan Kopkin Associate Professor PhD Cornell University Yes No
Doreatha D. Mbalia Professor PhD No Yes
Gladys Mitchell-Walthour Associate Professor PhD University of Chicago Yes No
Jeffrey Sommers Professor PhD Northeastern University Yes No
Anika Wilson Associate Professor, Chair PhD University of Pennsylvania Yes No
Erin N. Winkler Associate Professor PhD University of California, Berkeley Yes No