Graduate Certificate in Africana Studies in Knoxville United States | University of Tennessee, Knoxville

The Africana Studies Department at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville fosters interdisciplinary scholarship focused on Africa, African Americans, and global African diasporic communities. Through dedicated research, instruction, community engagement, and academic publications, it cultivates analytical and innovative thinking about the diverse cultures, arts, social structures, historical narratives, economic systems, and philosophical traditions of African-descended populations. As a multidisciplinary field with international scope, Africana Studies examines its subject matter across local, national, continental, and worldwide contexts. Its scholarly vision encompasses the global African experience, spanning from the African continent to the Americas, the Caribbean, Asia, and Europe. The department honors the legacy and contributions of African American scholars who pioneered Africana Studies in the U.S. academic landscape. This evolving discipline addresses contemporary societal demands while aligning with the College of Arts and Sciences' mission and the university's strategic vision of equipping students for international engagement. The program's primary objective is to deliver a well-rounded interdisciplinary curriculum that develops students' critical awareness and deep comprehension of the multifaceted Africana experience.