Africana at Bates

The Program in Africana encompasses the study of world making in Africa and its global diaspora.

The study of Africana examines conceptualization of race and its use as a tool of critical analysis. We adopt a progressive approach to the understanding of people of African descent in the Atlantic world: Africa, the Americas — with special attention to the United States — and Europe, across multiple disciplines. Attention to the intersection of “race” with other social and political identities informs all aspects of the program.

Contact Us

Matt Von Vogt, Academic Administrative Assistant
4 Andrews RD
Pettengill Hall
Phone: 207-786-8296 mvonvogt@bates.edu

What You Will Learn

garnet iconography with books on a shelf, globe, and map marker

To understand the history and culture of African people and peoples of the African diaspora

garnet iconography with magnifying glass, open book, and people in front of concentric circles

The importance of “race” as a tool of critical analysis for a variety of topics

garnet iconography with academic building, crowd of people, and tri-fold map

To engage in meaningful work experience through internships and community engagement activities

garnet iconography with bar graph, brain, notes on paper, and a pen

How to build your analytical prowess by examining complex experiences

garnet iconography with speech bubbles, stack of paper, pencil, and lightbulb

To hone critical thinking and writing skills

garnet iconography with circuit pathways, globe, and people with speech bubble

How to foster engagement on matters of race within the larger community — local, national, and international

Life After Bates

After graduation, our students have gone on to successful careers in a variety of fields, including research and teaching, policy, advocacy, and community work; law; cultural organization and curating; and digitization and management.

94%

of 2020-2024 Bates graduates are employed and/or attending graduate school — settled into their next opportunity within 6 months of graduation.

Selected Places of Employment/Service

U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Health and Safety
Blaze Yoga and Fitness
Room to Grow
Ananya Dance Theatre
Vox Media
Uncommon Schools
PDC Inc.
Barclays

Selected Graduate Schools

George Washington University
Northeastern University
American University
Carnegie Mellon University
Columbia University
Georgetown University
University of California, Berkeley

A student shares an essay during a Reimagining Africana class in Pettigrew Hall.

Speaker presents to students in Petengill Hall during the “Celebrating Black Life” event.

Professor talks to class about the movie “Moonlight” during a Reimagining Africana class in Pettigrew Hall.

Student shares perspective on the movie "Moonlight" in class discussion during a Reimagining Africana class in Pettigrew Hall.

A professor projects a presentation and talks about the movies “Bullworth” and “Moonlight” during a Reimagining Africana class in Pettigrew Hall.

Students react to an essay during a Reimagining Africana class in Pettigrew Hall.

Africana department faculty member speaks with students of the Class of 2023 at the Academic Fair in Pettengill Hall’s Perry Atrium.

A student reads a book in an alcove of Ladd Library.

Two friends bind their senior theses together on the steps of Hathron Hall.

Bates English professor reads poems from his new book and speaks to an audience in Gomes Chapel.

Student reads from a book titled Black Faces, White Spaces: Reimagining the Relationship of African Americans to the Great Outdoors.

A professor gives a presentation titled “Myths and Misconceptions About Africa” to his First-Year Seminar.

A student and professor read from scripts while practicing for a series of plays marking Black History Month at Bates.

Two students join their friend in celebrating the binding of their honors thesis in Africana on the steps of Coram Library.

A series of books are displayed on a table for MLK Day 2024.

Why Study Africana at Bates?

The Africana program at Bates introduces students to the lived experiences of African people and people of African descent in different parts of the globe. This takes place across multiple subject areas, including history, literature, religion, politics, journalism, psychology, and sociology. All majors write a thesis on a topic of their choice, with personalized guidance and hands-on support from faculty.

Featured Courses

Meet the Faculty

Our faculty is a multi-faceted team with a wide range of intellectual experience. We study all aspects of African diasporic life, and our faculty members count among them prize-winning poets, sociologists, historians, conservationists, and more. Among us, we have experts in jazz, Black trans and queer culture, African intellectual history, and urban communities.