{"id":8673,"date":"2026-02-05T13:37:27","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T18:37:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/?page_id=8673"},"modified":"2026-05-01T15:36:23","modified_gmt":"2026-05-01T19:36:23","slug":"africana","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/majors-and-minors\/africana\/","title":{"rendered":"Africana"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-bates-office-dimp-association\"><div class=\"dimp-ctas dimp-floating-ctas\"><div class=\"wrapper\"><div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-garnet-button with-arrow\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/africana\">Visit the full Africana site<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p class=\"is-style-academic-introduction\">The Program in Africana encompasses the study of world making in Africa and its global diaspora.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.3%\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p>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 \u2014 with special attention to the United States \u2014 and Europe, across multiple disciplines. Attention to the intersection of \u201crace\u201d with other social and political identities informs all aspects of the program.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\"><div class=\"contact-information\">\n<h5>Contact Us<\/h5>\n\t<p class=\"address\">Matt Von Vogt, Academic Administrative Assistant<br \/>\n4 Andrews RD<br \/>\nPettengill Hall<br \/>\n<span class=\"phone-num\"> Phone: 207-786-8296\n<\/span><span class=\"address-email\"><a href=\"mailto:mvonvogt@bates.edu\">mvonvogt@bates.edu<\/a><\/span><\/p><div class=\"bates-contact-info-social-grid\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-dark-color has-text-color\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">What You Will Learn<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:60px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/Africana_A-900x300.webp\" alt=\"garnet iconography with books on a shelf, globe, and map marker\" class=\"wp-image-9441\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/Africana_A-900x300.webp 900w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/Africana_A-400x133.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/Africana_A-768x256.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/Africana_A-200x67.webp 200w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/Africana_A.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">To understand the history and culture of African people and peoples of the African diaspora<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/Africana_B.webp\" alt=\"garnet iconography with magnifying glass, open book, and people in front of concentric circles\" class=\"wp-image-9440\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/Africana_B.webp 1200w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/Africana_B-400x133.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/Africana_B-900x300.webp 900w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/Africana_B-768x256.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/Africana_B-200x67.webp 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">The importance of \u201crace\u201d as a tool of critical analysis for a variety of topics<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/Africana_C.webp\" alt=\"garnet iconography with academic building, crowd of people, and tri-fold map\" class=\"wp-image-9439\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/Africana_C.webp 1200w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/Africana_C-400x133.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/Africana_C-900x300.webp 900w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/Africana_C-768x256.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/Africana_C-200x67.webp 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">To engage in meaningful work experience through internships and community engagement activities<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/Africana_D.webp\" alt=\"garnet iconography with bar graph, brain, notes on paper, and a pen\" class=\"wp-image-9438\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/Africana_D.webp 1200w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/Africana_D-400x133.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/Africana_D-900x300.webp 900w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/Africana_D-768x256.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/Africana_D-200x67.webp 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">How to build your analytical prowess by examining complex experiences<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/Africana_E.webp\" alt=\"garnet iconography with speech bubbles, stack of paper, pencil, and lightbulb\" class=\"wp-image-9437\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/Africana_E.webp 1200w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/Africana_E-400x133.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/Africana_E-900x300.webp 900w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/Africana_E-768x256.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/Africana_E-200x67.webp 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">To hone critical thinking and writing skills<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/Africana_F-900x300.webp\" alt=\"garnet iconography with circuit pathways, globe, and people with speech bubble\" class=\"wp-image-9442\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/Africana_F-900x300.webp 900w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/Africana_F-400x133.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/Africana_F-768x256.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/Africana_F-200x67.webp 200w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/Africana_F.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">How to foster engagement on matters of race within the larger community \u2014 local, national, and international<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull is-light has-parallax\" style=\"min-height:400px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><div class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-8843 size-full has-parallax\" style=\"background-position:50% 50%;background-image:url(https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/africana_2.webp)\"><\/div><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Life After Bates<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:10%\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:80%\">\n<div style=\"height:35px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-garnet-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-8df115c7a0f8fb228d46aa9dc18029e2\">94%<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">of 2020-2024 Bates graduates are employed and\/or attending graduate school \u2014 settled into their next opportunity within 6 months of graduation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:10%\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2ab7c3a799664dcab6a3bf35fbf1a0e7\">Selected Places of Employment\/Service<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-b5a310ab6bef49efd87f8ee96c54695e\">\n<li>U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Weitzman Institute<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Blaze Yoga and Fitness<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Room to Grow<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ananya Dance Theatre<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Vox Media<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Uncommon Schools<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>PDC Inc.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Barclays<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-c3d2bfd169d6a9bae4c19f53cab21650\">Selected Graduate Schools<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3b37ee1221d68b005c5b377094c426d6\">George Washington University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1af181beb6ed239606f9d79a3d022ae3\">Northeastern University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>American University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Carnegie Mellon University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Columbia University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Georgetown University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>University of California, Berkeley<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-style-lightgray-bg has-dark-color has-text-color\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-bates-slideshow2-slideshow swiper-effect-slide is-style-default\"><div class=\"slideshow-toolbar\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"js-open-fullscreen fullscreen-button\" title=\"View full screen\"><\/a><\/div><div id=\"slideshow4466\" class=\"swiper swiper-main has-pagination-progressbar\"><div class=\"swiper-button-next\"><\/div><div class=\"swiper-button-prev\"><\/div><div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div><div class=\"swiper-wrapper\"><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A student shares an essay during a Reimagining Africana class in Pettigrew Hall.\" data-id=\"10304\" data-fullsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/04\/260326_ReimaginingAfricana_Nero_0259.webp\" data-regsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/04\/260326_ReimaginingAfricana_Nero_0259-900x600.webp\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/04\/260326_ReimaginingAfricana_Nero_0259-900x600.webp\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><div class=\"swiper-lazy-preloader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Speaker presents to students in Petengill Hall during the \u201cCelebrating Black Life\u201d event.\" data-id=\"8847\" data-fullsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/250226_Black_Lives_Legacy_9743.webp\" data-regsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/250226_Black_Lives_Legacy_9743-900x600.webp\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/250226_Black_Lives_Legacy_9743-900x600.webp\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><div class=\"swiper-lazy-preloader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Professor talks to class about the movie \u201cMoonlight\u201d during a Reimagining Africana class in Pettigrew Hall.\" data-id=\"10301\" data-fullsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/04\/260326_ReimaginingAfricana_Nero_0746.webp\" data-regsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/04\/260326_ReimaginingAfricana_Nero_0746-900x600.webp\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/04\/260326_ReimaginingAfricana_Nero_0746-900x600.webp\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><div class=\"swiper-lazy-preloader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Student shares perspective on the movie &quot;Moonlight&quot; in class discussion during a Reimagining Africana class in Pettigrew Hall.\" data-id=\"10302\" data-fullsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/04\/260326_ReimaginingAfricana_Nero_0680.webp\" data-regsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/04\/260326_ReimaginingAfricana_Nero_0680-900x600.webp\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/04\/260326_ReimaginingAfricana_Nero_0680-900x600.webp\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><div class=\"swiper-lazy-preloader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A professor projects a presentation and talks about the movies \u201cBullworth\u201d and \u201cMoonlight\u201d during a Reimagining Africana class in Pettigrew Hall.\" data-id=\"10303\" data-fullsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/04\/260326_ReimaginingAfricana_Nero_0515.webp\" data-regsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/04\/260326_ReimaginingAfricana_Nero_0515-900x600.webp\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/04\/260326_ReimaginingAfricana_Nero_0515-900x600.webp\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><div class=\"swiper-lazy-preloader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Students react to an essay during a Reimagining Africana class in Pettigrew Hall.\" data-id=\"10305\" data-fullsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/04\/260326_ReimaginingAfricana_Nero_0250.webp\" data-regsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/04\/260326_ReimaginingAfricana_Nero_0250-900x600.webp\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/04\/260326_ReimaginingAfricana_Nero_0250-900x600.webp\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><div class=\"swiper-lazy-preloader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Africana department faculty member speaks with students of the Class of 2023 at the Academic Fair in Pettengill Hall\u2019s Perry Atrium.\" data-id=\"8848\" data-fullsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/190828_Academic_Fair_0005.webp\" data-regsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/190828_Academic_Fair_0005-900x600.webp\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/190828_Academic_Fair_0005-900x600.webp\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><div class=\"swiper-lazy-preloader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A student reads a book in an alcove of Ladd Library.\" data-id=\"8849\" data-fullsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/2503112_Ladd_Library_9613.webp\" data-regsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/2503112_Ladd_Library_9613-900x600.webp\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/2503112_Ladd_Library_9613-900x600.webp\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><div class=\"swiper-lazy-preloader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Two friends bind their senior theses together on the steps of Hathron Hall.\" data-id=\"8850\" data-fullsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/240417_Aaliyah_Prinnes_Thesis_Bindings_0768.webp\" data-regsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/240417_Aaliyah_Prinnes_Thesis_Bindings_0768-900x600.webp\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/240417_Aaliyah_Prinnes_Thesis_Bindings_0768-900x600.webp\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><div class=\"swiper-lazy-preloader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Bates English professor reads poems from his new book and speaks to an audience in Gomes Chapel. \" data-id=\"8851\" data-fullsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/IMG_1788.webp\" data-regsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/IMG_1788-900x600.webp\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/IMG_1788-900x600.webp\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><div class=\"swiper-lazy-preloader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Student reads from a book titled Black Faces, White Spaces: Reimagining the Relationship of African Americans to the Great Outdoors. \" data-id=\"8852\" data-fullsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/221012_Otis_Lecture_Carolyn_Finney_0765.webp\" data-regsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/221012_Otis_Lecture_Carolyn_Finney_0765-900x600.webp\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/221012_Otis_Lecture_Carolyn_Finney_0765-900x600.webp\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><div class=\"swiper-lazy-preloader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\" A professor gives a presentation titled \u201cMyths and Misconceptions About Africa\u201d to his First-Year Seminar.\" data-id=\"8853\" data-fullsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/190904_Otim_First_Year_Seminar_0034.webp\" data-regsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/190904_Otim_First_Year_Seminar_0034-900x593.webp\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/190904_Otim_First_Year_Seminar_0034-900x593.webp\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><div class=\"swiper-lazy-preloader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A student and professor read from scripts while practicing for a series of plays marking Black History Month at Bates.\" data-id=\"8854\" data-fullsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/200206_Black_History_Month_Theater_0067.webp\" data-regsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/200206_Black_History_Month_Theater_0067-900x600.webp\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/200206_Black_History_Month_Theater_0067-900x600.webp\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><div class=\"swiper-lazy-preloader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Two students join their friend in celebrating the binding of their honors thesis in Africana on the steps of Coram Library.\" data-id=\"8855\" data-fullsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/230510_Thesis_Binding_Jean_Francois_1732.webp\" data-regsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/230510_Thesis_Binding_Jean_Francois_1732-900x600.webp\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/230510_Thesis_Binding_Jean_Francois_1732-900x600.webp\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><div class=\"swiper-lazy-preloader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A series of books are displayed on a table for MLK Day 2024.\" data-id=\"8856\" data-fullsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/240110_Campus_0507.webp\" data-regsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/240110_Campus_0507-900x600.webp\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/240110_Campus_0507-900x600.webp\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><div class=\"swiper-lazy-preloader\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-9900b762e3c95861ad385f29f55bbe18\">Why Study Africana at Bates?<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:80px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-garnet-bg has-white-color has-text-color\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Featured Courses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<aside class=\"course-teaser-wrap\">\n\t<div class=\"course-teasers _columns-3\" style=\"--displayColumns:3;\">\t<div class=\"course-teaser-course\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<h5 class=\"course-title\" title=\"AFR249-MUS249\">African American Popular Music<\/h5>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"course-description\">The history of the twentieth century can be understood in terms of the increasing African-Americanization of music in the West. The rapid emergence and dissemin&hellip;<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\t<div class=\"course-teaser-course\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<h5 class=\"course-title\" title=\"AFR162-RFSS162\">White Redemption: Cinema and the Co-optation of African American History<\/h5>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"course-description\">Since its origins in the early twentieth century, film has debated how to represent black suffering. This course examines one aspect of that debate: the persist&hellip;<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\t<div class=\"course-teaser-course\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<h5 class=\"course-title\" title=\"AFR115-ENG115\">Introduction to African American Literature II: 1910-Present<\/h5>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"course-description\">This introductory course traces the development of a distinct African American literary tradition from 1910 to the present. Students examine music, orations, le&hellip;<\/p>\n\t<\/div><\/aside><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:80px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-gray-light-background-color has-background-dim-100 has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div style=\"height:60px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-c3447d431100b3b4517fc9ee6c141a62\">Meet the Faculty<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-34bd7184020be1622c1aa6c8bdb3c460\">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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\"><div class=\"is-style-grid bates-faculty-profiles-department-list \" style=\"--columnCount:3;--columnWidth:300px;\">\t<div class=\"faculty-profile profile-row\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo of Frances R. Bell\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/faculty\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/263\/files\/2024\/08\/headshotsquare-1-301x300.webp\" class=\"profile-image wp-image-6552\" \/>\n\t\t<h3 class=\"profile-name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/faculty-profile\/frances-r-bell\">Frances R. Bell<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t<h4 class=\"profile-title\">Visiting Assistant Professor of History<\/h4>\n\t\t<div class=\"departmental-associations department-meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHistory, Africana\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\t<div class=\"faculty-profile profile-row\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo of Dale E. Chapman\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/faculty\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/263\/files\/2015\/08\/updated_chapman_faculty_profile_photo-225x300.png\" class=\"profile-image wp-image-3496\" \/>\n\t\t<h3 class=\"profile-name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/faculty-profile\/dale-e-chapman\">Dale E. Chapman<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t<h4 class=\"profile-title\">Professor of Music<\/h4>\n\t\t<div class=\"departmental-associations department-meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tMusic, Africana, American Studies\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\t<div class=\"faculty-profile profile-row\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo of Ian Khara Ellasante\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/faculty\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/263\/files\/2019\/07\/JGF_0438-400x267.webp\" class=\"profile-image wp-image-5740\" \/>\n\t\t<h3 class=\"profile-name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/faculty-profile\/ian-khara-ellasante\">Ian Khara Ellasante<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t<h4 class=\"profile-title\">Associate Professor of Gender and Sexuality Studies<\/h4>\n\t\t<div class=\"departmental-associations department-meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tGender and Sexuality Studies, Africana\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\t<div class=\"faculty-profile profile-row\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo of Baltasar Fra-Molinero\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/faculty\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/263\/files\/2015\/08\/Perfil-foto-bfm-236x300.png\" class=\"profile-image wp-image-3347\" \/>\n\t\t<h3 class=\"profile-name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/faculty-profile\/baltasar-fra-molinero\">Baltasar Fra-Molinero<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t<h4 class=\"profile-title\">Professor of Hispanic Studies<\/h4>\n\t\t<div class=\"departmental-associations department-meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHispanic Studies, Latin American and Latinx Studies <span class=\"chair-flag-inline\">Chair<\/span>, Africana\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\t<div class=\"faculty-profile profile-row\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo of Myronn E. Hardy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/faculty\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/263\/files\/2019\/10\/MHardy-351x300.jpg\" class=\"profile-image wp-image-3242\" \/>\n\t\t<h3 class=\"profile-name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/faculty-profile\/myronn-e-hardy\">Myronn E. Hardy<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t<h4 class=\"profile-title\">Associate Professor of English<\/h4>\n\t\t<div class=\"departmental-associations department-meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tEnglish, Africana\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\t<div class=\"faculty-profile profile-row\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo of Eric G. LeFlore\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/faculty\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/263\/files\/2023\/08\/LeFlore-Headshot-Faculty-expertise-Eric-LeFlore-200x300.webp\" class=\"profile-image wp-image-5684\" \/>\n\t\t<h3 class=\"profile-name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/faculty-profile\/eric-g-leflore\">Eric G. LeFlore<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t<h4 class=\"profile-title\">Assistant Professor of Biology and Africana<\/h4>\n\t\t<div class=\"departmental-associations department-meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tBiology, Africana\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\t<div class=\"faculty-profile profile-row\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo of Marcelle M. Medford\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/faculty\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/263\/files\/2018\/08\/DSC_0120-1-313x300.jpg\" class=\"profile-image wp-image-2483\" \/>\n\t\t<h3 class=\"profile-name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/faculty-profile\/marcelle-m-medford\">Marcelle M. Medford<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t<h4 class=\"profile-title\">Associate Professor of Sociology<\/h4>\n\t\t<div class=\"departmental-associations department-meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSociology, Africana\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\t<div class=\"faculty-profile profile-row\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo of Charles I. Nero\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/faculty\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/263\/files\/2015\/08\/E_130925_Charles_Nero_0026-400x232.webp\" class=\"profile-image wp-image-5147\" \/>\n\t\t<h3 class=\"profile-name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/faculty-profile\/charles-i-nero\">Charles I. Nero<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t<h4 class=\"profile-title\">Benjamin E. Mays &#8217;20 Distinguished Prof of Rhetoric, Film, and Screen Studies<\/h4>\n\t\t<div class=\"departmental-associations department-meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tRhetoric, Film, and Screen Studies, Africana <span class=\"chair-flag-inline\">Chair<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\t<div class=\"faculty-profile profile-row\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo of Temitope A. Noah\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/faculty\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/263\/files\/2025\/10\/ProfilePicTAN-148x300.webp\" class=\"profile-image wp-image-7636\" \/>\n\t\t<h3 class=\"profile-name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/faculty-profile\/temitope-a-noah\">Temitope A. Noah<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t<h4 class=\"profile-title\">Visiting Assistant Professor of Africana<\/h4>\n\t\t<div class=\"departmental-associations department-meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAfricana\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\t<div class=\"faculty-profile profile-row\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo of Patrick W. Otim\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/faculty\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/263\/files\/2016\/10\/HFNDE9600-283x300.jpg\" class=\"profile-image wp-image-3225\" \/>\n\t\t<h3 class=\"profile-name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/faculty-profile\/patrick-w-otim\">Patrick W. Otim<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t<h4 class=\"profile-title\">Associate Professor of History<\/h4>\n\t\t<div class=\"departmental-associations department-meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHistory, Africana\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\t<div class=\"faculty-profile profile-row\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo of Kayla K. Thomas\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/faculty\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/263\/files\/2025\/07\/image0-1-371x300.webp\" class=\"profile-image wp-image-7568\" \/>\n\t\t<h3 class=\"profile-name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/faculty-profile\/kayla-k-thomas\">Kayla K. Thomas<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t<h4 class=\"profile-title\">Visiting Instructor in Sociology<\/h4>\n\t\t<div class=\"departmental-associations department-meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSociology, Africana\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:60px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull has-parallax\"><div class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-8844 size-full has-parallax\" style=\"background-position:50% 50%;background-image:url(https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/africana_3.webp)\"><\/div><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<style data-is=\"custom-styles\" class=\"wp-block-bates-page-specific-css-css\">.contact-information h5 {margin-top: 0; !important }<\/style>\n\n\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"aside-stories-wrap\" data-nosnippet>\n\t\t\t\t<h1>News &#038; Events<\/h1>\n\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"aside-stories news-updates is-style-grid\"><article class=\"aside-story\"><a class=\"aside-image\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/2026\/06\/04\/be-you-bravely-stephanie-kelley-romanos-baccalaureate-speech\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/06\/260530_Baccalaureate_1155-400x267.webp\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"One Baccalaureate tradition is that the processional passes through archways adorned with prayers, poems, and blessings offered by parents, guardians, and other loved ones. Here the processional, led by President Garry W. Jenkins, makes its way through the Class of 2026 archway on May 30, 2026. (Phyllis Graber Jensen\/Bates College) \" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/06\/260530_Baccalaureate_1155-400x267.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/06\/260530_Baccalaureate_1155-900x600.webp 900w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/06\/260530_Baccalaureate_1155-942x628.jpg 942w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/06\/260530_Baccalaureate_1155-1536x1024.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/06\/260530_Baccalaureate_1155-200x133.webp 200w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/06\/260530_Baccalaureate_1155.webp 1919w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><div class=\"aside-text-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"aside-date\">June 4, 2026<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"aside-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/2026\/06\/04\/be-you-bravely-stephanie-kelley-romanos-baccalaureate-speech\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u2018Be You, Bravely\u2019: Stephanie Kelley-Romano&#8217;s Baccalaure&hellip;\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"aside-text\">Each year the graduating class at Bates picks a faculty or staff person to offer the Baccalaureate Address. The Class of 2026 selected Professor of Rhetoric, Film, and Screen Studies Stephanie Kelley-Romano.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/article><article class=\"aside-story\"><a class=\"aside-image\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/2026\/06\/04\/picture-story-commencement-2026-into-the-future-with-heart-humanity-and-curiosity\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/06\/260531_Commencement_8167-400x267.webp\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"Picture Story: Commencement 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/06\/260531_Commencement_8167-400x267.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/06\/260531_Commencement_8167-900x600.webp 900w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/06\/260531_Commencement_8167-942x628.jpg 942w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/06\/260531_Commencement_8167-1536x1024.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/06\/260531_Commencement_8167-200x133.webp 200w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/06\/260531_Commencement_8167.webp 1919w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><div class=\"aside-text-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"aside-date\">June 4, 2026<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"aside-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/2026\/06\/04\/picture-story-commencement-2026-into-the-future-with-heart-humanity-and-curiosity\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPicture Story: Commencement 2026\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"aside-text\">On Sunday, May 31, 2026, 480 Bates students became Bates alumni, ready to face uncertainty with the support of the lessons they\u2019ve learned at Bates, both in and out of the classroom.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/article><article class=\"aside-story\"><a class=\"aside-image\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/31\/commencement-2026-into-the-future-with-heart-humanity-curiosity-and-community\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/05\/260531_Commencement_2319_3000-400x300.webp\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"Moments from this year\u2019s Commencement captured on May 31, 2026. (Theophil Syslo | Bates College)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/05\/260531_Commencement_2319_3000-400x300.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/05\/260531_Commencement_2319_3000-900x674.webp 900w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/05\/260531_Commencement_2319_3000-839x628.jpg 839w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/05\/260531_Commencement_2319_3000-1536x1150.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/05\/260531_Commencement_2319_3000-200x150.webp 200w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/05\/260531_Commencement_2319_3000.webp 1919w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><div class=\"aside-text-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"aside-date\">May 31, 2026<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"aside-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/31\/commencement-2026-into-the-future-with-heart-humanity-curiosity-and-community\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCommencement 2026: Into the future with heart, humanity, and &hellip;\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"aside-text\">The skies were changeable but the mood was resoundingly upbeat on Sunday, May 31, as 480 members of the Class of 2026 celebrated their Bates graduation surrounded by family and friends, and bolstered by speeches that dwelled on bright promises, both those already delivered and those to come.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/article><\/section><!-- .aside-stories -->\n\t\t\t<\/div><!--.aside-stories-wrap-->\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Program in Africana encompasses the study of world making in Africa&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":8842,"parent":7912,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-templates\/dimp.php","meta":{"_hide_ai_chatbot":false,"_ai_chatbot_style":"","associated_faculty":[],"_Page_Specific_Css":"","_bates_restrict_mod":false,"_batesModPostContentOverride_prepend":false,"_batesModPostContentOverride_append":false,"_batesModPostContentOverride_append_before_footer":false,"_dimp_site_id":"14","_dimp_override_contact":true,"_table_of_contents_display":false,"_table_of_contents_location":"","_table_of_contents_disableSticky":false,"_is_featured":false,"footnotes":"","_bates_seo_meta_description":"","_bates_seo_block_robots":false,"_bates_seo_sharing_image_id":0,"_bates_seo_sharing_image_twitter_id":0,"_bates_seo_share_title":"","_bates_seo_canonical_overwrite":"","_bates_seo_twitter_template":""},"class_list":["post-8673","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8673","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8673"}],"version-history":[{"count":32,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8673\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10784,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8673\/revisions\/10784"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7912"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8842"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8673"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}