Africana studies examines the diverse experiences of people of African descent worldwide, focusing especially but not exclusively on African, African American and Caribbean affairs and culture. Using the tools of the social sciences and humanities, we investigate the structures, organizations, problems and perspectives of those of African origin and the African Diaspora.

Our mission is to advance the study and understanding of the historical as well as the contemporary connections among communities with people of African descent.

Experiential learning plays a large role in the Africana studies department, and majors are encouraged to go abroad. Students often spend six weeks at the Ethnographic Field School in Tanzania and in programs across Europe and Africa. Africana studies majors also engage domestic and global communities through Dickinson's Global Mosaics program, interdisciplinary research excursions designed around immersive ethnographic fieldwork. Recent Global Mosaics include "After Genocide and Apartheid" (Rwanda; 2019) and "The African Diaspora" (Cuba; 2018).

Contact Info

Chair

Benjamin NgongAssociate Professor of French

Department Coordinator

Mary Moll

Phone

717-254-8383

Fax

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Social Media

Location

Althouse Science Hall - Room G11 Mailing Address

Department Features


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Study Abroad
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Current Courses

Student Outcomes

Where Our Students Go From Here

Jobs

  • AmeriCorps/Vista
  • Teach for America
  • Deloitte
  • TEAM Charter Schools
  • Imagine Scholar
  • Ithaca College
  • NBC Universal
  • St. Thomas More School

Graduate Schools

  • Columbia University
  • State University of New York at Albany
  • University of Massachusetts at Amherst
  • University of Southern California
  • Northwestern University
  • Syracuse University
  • University of Georgia
  • CUNY, Hunter College
  • Georgetown University
  • Teachers College, Columbia University
  • Icahn School of Medicine
  • Johns Hopkins University
  • Fashion Institute of Technology
Where Our Students Have Interned
  • Cumberland County Courthouse
  • Food Trust
  • Dickinson College Archives & Special Collections
  • Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office Internship Program
  • YWCA Carlisle
  • Exploration Schools at Yale University
  • Planned Parenthood Keystone
  • Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation
  • United Way of Pennsylvania
  • Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
  • BRICK Peshine School

Student Perspective

"The skills, tools and knowledge that I have gained from being an Africana Studies major helps me in every area of my academic career as an undergrad. I know it will help me achieve my career goals in the future as well."
 
— Jena Blair '22
"At Dickinson, I've had the opportunity to immerse myself in the field of Africana Studies. I'm biased, but this department really has taught me so much about Black life and experiences along the diaspora, which has also contributed to me learning more about myself. Dickinson has given me the space to grow as a person and meet new people who push me to be better, and I will forever be grateful!"
 
— Krystal Ramierz '21

Africana Studies News

All News Department News
New Graduate Spotlight: Lilly Eidelberg ’23

New Graduate Spotlight: Lilly Eidelberg ’23

Through a study-abroad internship, Lilly Eidelberg ’23, helped fight for the rights of marginalized South Africans.

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Recent Arts Residencies Explore Potent Themes Through Sight and Sound

Recent Arts Residencies Explore Potent Themes Through Sight and Sound

In recent weeks, Dickinson has welcomed visiting artists to campus to serve impactful residencies. Here's why that's so important for our arts students and for the whole college community.

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Student Snapshot: Destiny McFalls

Student Snapshot: Destiny McFalls '25  

"We should constantly work to better our world," says Destiny McFalls '25, who researched Black identity and activism at Dickinson and recently presented her findings.

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Africana Studies Major Jobs and Graduate School Acceptances 2021

Africana Studies Major Jobs and Graduate School Acceptances 2021

Graduating Africana studies major will teach through Urban Teachers program while earning a master's of science education degree from johns Hopkins University.

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Dickinson’s Upsilon Delta Honored for Work in the Community

Dickinson’s Upsilon Delta Honored for Work in the Community

The college's chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority takes runner-up among 63 regional chapters for its service work efforts.

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Finding a Proud History

Finding a Proud History

Ke’son Bullock-Brown '19 discovers new pride by digging into history through Africana studies.

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