The Department of African American Studies, Africana Women’s Studies and History (AWH) at Clark Atlanta University provides a vital and innovative interdisciplinary course of research, study, and learning. Students explore past events historic global issues, diverse cultures, and our shared humanity.

Mission Statements

History: The mission of the CAU Degree in History is to prepare students in the major and in other disciplines with historical knowledge of human experience, past events and the understanding of global issues, diverse cultures, and our shared humanity.

African American Studies: The mission of the CAU Degree in African-American Studies is to offer undergraduates and graduates an interdisciplinary course of study that expands and imparts knowledge related to cultures, and the history of the African Diaspora utilizing scholarly research, theoretical inquiry and policy analysis to prepare graduates for diverse professions who will understand experiences of people of African descent and others as well as promote social justice within the global community.

Africana Women’s Studies: The mission of the CAU Degree in Africana Women’s Studies is to offer undergraduates and graduates an interdisciplinary course of study that expands and imparts knowledge related to gender, cultures, and the history of the African Diaspora utilizing scholarly research, theoretical inquiry and policy analysis to prepare graduates for diverse professions who will understand experiences of people of African descent and others as well as promote social justice within the global community.

Academic Programs

History

The History program serves as a center for historical study, providing a core base of knowledge of past events and fostering an atmosphere to examine the significance of those events on the human experience. With a commitment to academic excellence, the department offers undergraduate and graduate level courses leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree, Master of Arts degree and the Doctor of Arts in Humanities degree. The department stresses the development of analytical skills and critical judgment. Curriculum emphasis is placed on acquiring scholarly research and writing skills along with an understanding of global issues, diverse cultures, and our shared humanity. As an extension of the classroom instruction, students are encouraged to engage in practical applications of learning through service learning projects, internships, and study abroad opportunities.

African American Studies

The African and African American Studies Program is designed for students with professional interest in a comprehensive understanding of African American or African culture. The program provides focus as well as breadth through the interdisciplinary area studies approach. Because of the long tradition of African and African American studies at the University, pertinent courses are offered in many departments, particularly English, Foreign Language, History, Political Science, and Sociology.

Africana Women's Studies

Founded in 1982, the Africana Women's Studies (AWS) Program is the only degree-granting women's studies program located in a historically black college in the United States, the only women's studies program in the United States which offers the doctoral degree in Africana Women's Studies and the only Africana Women's Studies program in the world. AWS provides opportunities for the systematic analysis of the convergence of gender, class and racial bias. It also focuses on the comparative examination of the contributions, problems, strategies and concerns of women throughout the African disapora.

For more information regarding each program, view the following resources:

• AWH Department Handbook
• AWH Department Brochure