Center for African American Studies
ABOUT CAAS
In support of the diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives of USC Upstate, The Center for African American Studies (CAAS) sits at the center of the university’s intellectual engagement with the African American experience. The center, and its affiliate faculty oversee the university’s minor in African American Studies, and an interdisciplinary curriculum that allows students to explore the rich culture and histories of African Americans and build valuable critical thinking and qualitative analysis skills. The center also seeks to develop and sustain extra-curricular intellectual discussions about the African American experience through its campus and community programming initiatives.
Vision Statement
Through curricular and extra-curricular programming, USC Upstate’s Center for African American studies seeks to serve the campus and greater community as a crossroads for the intellectual examinationof the African American experience in the region, state, and southeastern United States.
Minor in African American StudiesThe University of South Carolina Upstate’s minor in African American Studies provides an opportunity for students interrogate the African American experience from an interdisciplinary perspective. The eighteen credit hour curriculum takes students on an intellectual journey exploring the major ideas of leading African American thinkers, the historical and cultural dynamics of the African American experience, and the literary voices of African American writers, all while helping students build valuable critical thinking and communication skills relevant for the 21st century workforce. |
Classroom to Career: Opportunities in African American StudiesThe CAAS “Classroom to Career” program introduces USC Upstate students to a range of internship and career opportunities ideal for students engaged in studying the African American experience. The “Classroom to Career” program provides student a chance to dialogue with professionals working in fields where the intellectual insights, skills, and tools gained through African American studies coursework holds value. |
CAAS "State of the Field Address:” New Directions in African American StudiesThe “CAAS State of the Field Address” invites a leading African American Studies scholar to USC Upstate to discuss their recent work in the context of a forward looking African American Studies discipline, and the new lines of intellectual inquiry charting the future direction of the field. |
The Director
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Nicholas Gaffney, PhD Director, Center for African American Studies 864-503-5634 |
Dr. Gaffney joined the University of South Carolina Upstate in 2020 and teaches courses on African American culture and the African American 20th century freedom struggle. His research focuses on the intersections of African American cultural production and socio-political activism. His current book project, Jazz Goes to Work: The Jazz Community and the Black Freedom Struggle from the New Negro Movement to the Black Arts Revolution, 1900-1980 explains why and how black activists called upon jazz and the jazz community to support their movements, and the political work that jazz performed in helping these activists to accomplish their goals.
For questions about the center, its programming, or the minor in African American Studies please contact Dr. Gaffney at ngaffney@uscupstate.edu.