USC African American Studies Program

USC African American Studies Program African American Studies Department at University of South Carolina Much has changed in the world since 1971.

The interdisciplinary program in African American Studies at USC was established in 1971 to broaden the University's curricular offerings to include analysis of the many aspects of the African American experience, including social, political, religious, artistic, intellectual, and historical. The intervening decades have brought a massive and still-growing body of new scholarship on the life and c

ulture of peoples of African descent in the western world. Increasing public interest in the African American experience has spurred radical changes in popular culture and American society. Greater awareness of black intellectual traditions has enriched current studies. More extensive access to scholarship across the African Diaspora has reconfigured the possibilities for all black scholars. These changes are evident in increased student demand for courses about African American and African Diaspora life and meaning. Today, students of diverse ethnic backgrounds are attracted to the study of another aspect of the American experience. Most often, better-prepared students are those who have knowledge of African American cultures, which enhances job opportunities in the corporate world, the public service arena, and public school education.

Happy that AFAM was there to help celebrate the 20th Anniversary of South Carolina Council for African American Studies ...
08/22/2026

Happy that AFAM was there to help celebrate the 20th Anniversary of South Carolina Council for African American Studies (SCCAAS). Congratulations SCCAAS for enriching teachers from all over South Carolina!

AFAM Faculty gathered today for our new year retreat. Great plans for this school year.
08/22/2026

AFAM Faculty gathered today for our new year retreat. Great plans for this school year.

“I told them what I tell them now . . . always seek new knowledge . . . there must always be some kind of program, some ...
07/29/2026

“I told them what I tell them now . . . always seek new knowledge . . . there must always be some kind of program, some sort of new study, some challenges to jack the mind up and make it use some of the cells it hasn’t used before.” - Vivian Allen Ayers ✊🏾🤎

Today, Todd C. Shaw and Nancy Tolson completed a one-week African American Studies community summer course at the The Lo...
07/25/2026

Today, Todd C. Shaw and Nancy Tolson completed a one-week African American Studies community summer course at the The Lourie Center for seniors. The conversations were thoughtful and rich. As one student stated, they were still teachable😊. It was really an amazing week. We are all looking forward to the next class . . . stay tuned.

Well done, Dr. Kendall Deas!!
07/07/2026

Well done, Dr. Kendall Deas!!

What has the Sunshine State learned from 27 years of school choice?

This summer course will be taught by Drs. Todd Shaw and Nancy Tolson.
06/27/2026

This summer course will be taught by Drs. Todd Shaw and Nancy Tolson.

AFAM assistant professor, Dr. Melanie Holmes gave an excellent interview with FOX 11 Los Angeles about the history and ...
06/25/2026

AFAM assistant professor, Dr. Melanie Holmes gave an excellent interview with FOX 11 Los Angeles about the history and importance of Juneteenth.

This week, the Los Angeles Unified Board of Education approved the recognition of June 19 as Juneteenth. We talked to an assistant professor of history in the African American Studies Department at the University of South Carolina about why this is so significant.

Dr. Todd C. Shaw spoke with WIS news team on the South Carolina primary runoff election for the Republican governor cand...
06/25/2026

Dr. Todd C. Shaw spoke with WIS news team on the South Carolina primary runoff election for the Republican governor candidate!

Celebrating the Beautiful Creativity of our AFAM Faculty Members; Tanya Wideman-Davis and Thaddeus Davis
06/05/2026

Celebrating the Beautiful Creativity of our AFAM Faculty Members; Tanya Wideman-Davis and Thaddeus Davis

Celebrating AFAM Graduate Sarah Kouyate. May you continue to Soar!!
06/05/2026

Celebrating AFAM Graduate Sarah Kouyate. May you continue to Soar!!

Address

817 Henderson Street
Columbia, SC
29201

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+18037777248

Website

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