About AAAS
The Program in African and African American Studies (AAAS), established
in 1969, was the first ethnic studies program developed at Stanford University,
and the first African & African American Studies program at a private
institution in the U.S. AAAS provides an interdisciplinary approach to
the study of peoples of African descent as a central component of all
societies, offering courses that promote research across departmental
boundaries. It has developed an extensive and dedicated network of Stanford
scholars who work in race studies and works in concert with the Center
for Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity (CCSRE). Scholarship can
focus on critical intersectionality with gender, class, region, religion
and other variables, and thus works closely with other ethnic programs
and allied fields of study—from International Relations to Political
Science, and from Feminist Studies to Sociology. AAAS also encourages
students to use interdisciplinary methods drawn from anthropology, art,
art history, economics, languages, linguistics and literature, music,
philosophy, political science, psychology, and religion, among others.
Our Symbol is a Sankofa:
The bird of our program's representation is the Asante People of Ghana's Adinkra symbol called Sankofa. It symbolizes taking from the past what is good and bringing it into the present in order to make positive progress through the benevolent use of knowledge.
Contact Information
African & African American Studies
Stanford University
Building 360, Room 362B
Stanford, CA 94305-2084
Phone: 650-723-3782
Fax: 650-723-8528
Director: Arnetha Ball
Director of African & African American Studies
Professor of Education
Email: [email protected]
Address: Building 360, Room 362C
Associate Director: Dr. Cheryl A. Brown
Email: [email protected]
Address: Building 360, Room 362A
Phone: 650-723-3781
Administrative Associate: Massa Wells
Student Services Coordinator
Email: [email protected]
Address: Building 360, Room 362B
Phone: 650-723-3782
