Workers, Consumers, and Civil Rights

Parker examines the movement to racially integrate white-collar work and consumption in American department stores, and broadens our understanding of historical transformations in African American class and labor formation.
Black Lives Matter and Music

In this collection of critical studies co-edited by Stephanie Shonekan, contributors draw from ethnographic research and personal encounters to illustrate how music in the Black Lives Matter movement can contribute to public awareness of the injustices in our society.
Fugitive Science: Empiricism and Freedom in Early African American Culture

Honorable Mention, 2019 MLA Prize for a First Book
Sole Finalist Mention for the 2018 Lora Romero First Book Prize, presented by the American Studies Association
Rusert's book exposes the influential work of a group of black artists to confront and refute scientific racism. Traversing the archives of early African American literature, performance, and visual culture, Britt Rusert uncovers the dynamic experiments of a group of black writers, artists, and performers.
Afro-American Studies at UMass

One of the largest departments of its kind, the W. E. B. Du Bois Department of Afro-American Studies serves students seeking in-depth knowledge of the history and culture of black people in the Americas and the worldwide African Diaspora.

Professor Bracey at the Civil Rights Summit

May 23, 2019

On May 2nd and 3rd Professor John Bracey traveled to the New Brunswick campus of Rutgers University to participate in the Second Summit for Civil Rights. The gathering featured many of the nation’s...

Shake Loose: A Celebration of Sonia Sanchez

May 20, 2019

On April 2nd Professor John Bracey participated in “Shake Loose: A Celebration of Sonia Sanchez” a surprise gathering at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture honoring Sonia Sanchez...

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The Major

Why Afro-American Studies?

Our department is named for the great intellectual, a native of our Western Massachusetts region, who was the first academic scholar to pioneer the systematic study of people of African descent in the U.S. and throughout world. To earn a degree in Afro-American Studies, to take courses leading to a certificate or a minor is to follow in W.E.B. Du Bois’ footsteps of academic excellence and social responsibility.

Workers, Consumers, and Civil Rights Parker examines the movement to racially integrate white-collar work and consumption in American department stores, and broadens our understanding of historical transformations in African American class and labor formation.

Black Lives Matter and Music In this collection of critical studies co-edited by Stephanie Shonekan, contributors draw from ethnographic research and personal encounters to illustrate how music in the Black Lives Matter movement can contribute to public awareness of the injustices in our society.

Afro-American Studies at UMass One of the largest departments of its kind, the W. E. B. Du Bois Department of Afro-American Studies serves students seeking in-depth knowledge of the history and culture of black people in the Americas and the worldwide African Diaspora.

Professor Bracey at the Civil Rights Summit

Shake Loose: A Celebration of Sonia Sanchez

Why Afro-American Studies?

Workers, Consumers, and Civil Rights

Parker examines the movement to racially integrate white-collar work and consumption in American department stores, and broadens our understanding of historical transformations in African American class and labor formation.

Black Lives Matter and Music

In this collection of critical studies co-edited by Stephanie Shonekan, contributors draw from ethnographic research and personal encounters to illustrate how music in the Black Lives Matter movement can contribute to public awareness of the injustices in our society.

Afro-American Studies at UMass

One of the largest departments of its kind, the W. E. B. Du Bois Department of Afro-American Studies serves students seeking in-depth knowledge of the history and culture of black people in the Americas and the worldwide African Diaspora.