African American studies at Iowa offers an overview on the experience of African-descended people throughout the diaspora. Our goal is to generate leadership through civic engagement, scholarship, and teaching.  We help students learn about the foundations of African American Studies developing new culturally intellectual perspectives. We want students to better understand African American experience related to three core areas: History, Religion and the Diaspora; Literature and Performing Arts; and Media, Politics, and Society. 

This interdisciplinary unit draws on faculty from many academic departments, including American Studies, Communication Studies, English, History, Journalism & Mass Communication, Religious Studies, Rhetoric, Sociology, Theatre Arts, and Women's Studies.