Welcome to the Africana Studies Institute

UConn’s Africana Studies Institute is a vibrant community of scholars who study the African American experience, Africa, and the African Diaspora. 

Learn more about the history of ASI

Moratorium, October 15, 1969. Students at the Vietnam War protest in front of the Student Union. (Howard Goldbaum Collection of Connecticut Daily Campus Negatives, Archives & Special Collections, University of Connecticut Library.)

What is Africana Studies?

Africana Studies is a field of study that is interdisciplinary in focus. The Institute offers a wide range of courses, which are cross-listed with anthropology, sociology, history, political science, human development and family studies, psychology, art and art history, English, among other fields. More specifically at UCONN, for decades we have trained our students to critically analyze the varied experiences of people of African descent globally and locally. We have a strong public history presence that focuses on Black people in New England and Connecticut that helps the program remain committed to the principles that Africana Studies was founded on, community engagement.

Why major or minor in Africana Studies?

It has become increasingly important to successive generations of students entering the workforce to develop and refine skills needed to practice cultural competence and critically analyze the varied experiences of African descended people in this country and around the world. The Africana Studies Institute offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree and a minor in Africana Studies, which provides a solid foundation for jobs in health care, law, education, journalism, government, and charitable, nonprofit organizations.

What we offer

  • You will learn from some of UConn’s best teachers and mentors as well as trailblazers in their respective fields.
  • You will enhance your critical thinking, writing, analysis, and communication skills.
  • Opportunities to study abroad in Ghana and Kenya for course credit.
  • Faculty pairing: 1:1 academic advising, career mentoring, and research opportunities.

Upcoming Events

Undergraduate Advising

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Major in Africana Studies

Dive into diverse cultures and histories of African descended people.

Explore the Major

 

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Minor Options

The Institute offers two minors in Africana Studies and African Studies, coupled with study abroad opportunities in African countries.

 

Explore the Minors

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Coursework

Explore the wide range of courses offered through our Africana Studies programs.

 

Explore our coursework

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Find a Professor

Explore our roster of faculty members and their areas of research expertise.

Explore our Faculty

We are on Instagram

Are you a UConn CLAS undergraduate student engaged with the Africana Studies Institute? Apply for the Theresa Gyamfuah Owusu Award!

Submit a 500-word essay on the legacies of the Transatlantic Slave Trade in Ghana to africana@uconn.edu.

Deadline: March 30th, 2026 at 11:59 PM.

For more information about Theresa Gyamfuah Owusu, please scan the QR Code on the flyer!

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Open post by uconnafricana with ID 18091381034518135
Are you a UConn CLAS undergraduate student engaged with the Africana Studies Institute? Apply for the Theresa Gyamfuah Owusu Award! Submit a 500-word essay on the legacies of the Transatlantic Slave Trade in Ghana to africana@uconn.edu. Deadline: March 30th, 2026 at 11:59 PM. For more information about Theresa Gyamfuah Owusu, please scan the QR Code on the flyer!

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Welcome back to school students! We hope you have a wonderful and restful spring semester. Africana studies is always open for visitors to study, talk, and relax ✨⭐️

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Open post by uconnafricana with ID 18085093568334773
Welcome back to school students! We hope you have a wonderful and restful spring semester. Africana studies is always open for visitors to study, talk, and relax ✨⭐️

...

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View on Instagram

The NAACP and Africana Studies Institute are throwing a Ballot and Bash on Wednesday, October 16th and is hoping to have the support and attendance of NPHC and the active organizations within it. This will be a bi-partisan event consisting of an educational debate amongst well-known alumni, followed by an after party with @djmorelifee and free food, outside on the student union lawn. The debate portion will take place from 6pm-7:15, and the after party will be from 7:15-9pm.

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Open post by uconnafricana with ID 18142707070352944
The NAACP and Africana Studies Institute are throwing a Ballot and Bash on Wednesday, October 16th and is hoping to have the support and attendance of NPHC and the active organizations within it. This will be a bi-partisan event consisting of an educational debate amongst well-known alumni, followed by an after party with @djmorelifee and free food, outside on the student union lawn. The debate portion will take place from 6pm-7:15, and the after party will be from 7:15-9pm.

...

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View on Instagram