A student protest in front of New Africa House (Mills), 1976, photo from Drum magazine

The W. E. B. Du Bois Department of Afro-American Studies will soon celebrate our 40th anniversary. In 1969, we came into existence as a program at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. In 1970, the UMass Board of Trustees approved our becoming a degree-granting department, and in 1996, we received trustee approval to become the second Ph.D. degree-granting department in Africana Studies. Below are some links to information about our namesake, Dr. W. E. B. Du Bois, and our genesis.

About W.E.B. Du Bois

Documents

• Michael Thelwell, "Black Studies: A Political Perspective" [1969]
• Press Release: Du Bois Department Approved [1970]
• Planning for the 1980's: A Status Report

Video

If you would like the department to contact you or if you would like further information about our programs, please go to our "Contact Us" page or e-mail: tlovelan@afroam.umass.edu

This is an official site of the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Site policies. It is maintained by Tricia Loveland of the Department of Afro-American Studies
Last updated August 22, 2008.