Department of Pan-African Studies

Office

Location: King Hall C3095
Phone: (323) 343-2290
E-mail: pas@calstatela.edu
Website: Department: Department of Pan-African Studies

Chair

Name: Lawson Bush
Email: lbush2@calstatela.edu
Phone: (323) 343-2291

The Faculty

Professor: Lawson Bush (Chair)
Associate Professor: Melina Abdullah
Assistant Professor: Msia Clark.
Emeriti: Jonathan Nwomonoh, Aida Takla O’Reilly

Overview

Pan-African Studies (PAS) encompasses the systematic investigation of the history, culture, social relationships, political economy, literature, arts, and languages of peoples of African descent and their contribution to world civilization. In order to give students a unique foundation for critical thinking and socio-cultural analysis, the curriculum combines in-depth and transnational approaches to the study of the Black experience. In particular, PAS places African American Studies in a larger comparative context. Students who elect the major will be equipped for graduate work in African American, African, ethnic, and cultural studies as well as in a range of traditional academic disciplines. Students interested in graduate work in a traditional academic discipline should consider a minor in that field. PAS degree holders have found careers in teaching, community development and leadership, international affairs, nongovernmental organizations, public relations, social work, urban research, community law, civil service, industrial relations, entertainment, and many other professions.

As a program of study, PAS places the black experience in the larger context of Africa and the African Diaspora - thus the name “Pan African” Studies. The goal of the curriculum is to allow for flexibility in required core and upper division elective courses. This approach maximizes student ability to determine areas of emphasis and, with faculty advisement, to select a creative set of courses that expose majors or minors to the historical context, fundamental concepts, and central issues in the field of Pan African Studies.