About
African American Studies is an indispensable part of the mission and vision of San José State University.
Mission
The Department of African American Studies aims to provide students throughout the University with critical, interdisciplinary, and specialized knowledge about African and African American populations and its communities. Our curriculum, programming, and scholarship examines, explores, and engages the intellectual traditions within the African Diaspora from multiple perspectives—historical, cultural, philosophical, political, social, and theoretical—in service to its students and society.
Vision
The Department of African American Studies at San José State University will be the premier center of research, scholarship, teaching and service for and about the African Diaspora in the Silicon Valley and the South Bay area. Through collaboration and cooperation with community agencies and entities across the area and Black Studies scholars across the University and the city. The Department of African American Studies will serve as the leading authority on Black experiences locally, nationally, and globally.
Goals
To accomplish the Mission, the Department of African American Studies has established the following goals:
- To foster a desire for knowledge connected to Black experiences in all university academic programs.
- To empower students in African American Studies to expand their knowledge base connected to the intellectual traditions within the African Diaspora.
- To develop and manage resources effectively.
- To advocate for the needs and interests of students, faculty, and staff connected to the Department of African American Studies.
- To collaborate with faculty across the University.
- To partner with the campus toward the integration of African American Studies in the curriculum and student programs.
