The African-American Studies program fulfills a unique role at UIS, and so enjoys the following benefits characteristic of its focus:

People

• Students who are in the program because they are passionate about the subject
• A team of brilliant faculty who teach in multiple colleges and disciplines, from diverse academic disciplines and backgrounds
• A Graduate Assistant who works intensely with the program and its students
• An informative and helpful Program Secretary
• An active Black Student Union

Specialties of the Program

• Annual Symposium on Hip Hop Culture
• Diverse courses covering a broad spectrum of African-American history, literature, and social concerns
• Besides the offered minor, opportunities for applying African-American Studies to a related degree through the Liberal Studies or Individual Option majors
• A database of online resources for the advancement of African-American study, culture, and welfare
• Global Seminar Experience in Jamaica: a three-week service learning experience unique to UIS