As a field of inquiry, African, African American, diaspora studies examines the experiences of people of African descent in the United States, Africa and the Caribbean, as well as in Latin America, Europe and Asia. The program allows students and faculty to explore the range of interrelated cultures, histories, art, and intellectual contributions of Africans and people of African descent throughout the diaspora.
The faculty also views participation in co-curricular activities (student and faculty colloquia, guest lectures, campus projects) as vital to the development of students as responsible citizens of the college community and the world. The interdisciplinary program in African, African American, diaspora studies is an essential component of the college's mission to enable students to understand and participate in shaping the multicultural, interdependent world of which they are a part. It encourages students to complement classroom learning with study, research and internship opportunities abroad and in the United States.