University of Chicago. Committee on African Studies

Following the Second World War there was a consistent interest in Africa at the University of Chicago exemplified by faculty exchanges with African Institutions and a bourgeoning of students engaging in research concerning Africa at the Doctoral level. In 1960, a formal committee on Near Eastern and African studies was formed to meet the growing needs of the school. Following a rapid expansion of interest in African studies, including the hiring of seven new faculty members with African research experience, a separate committee on African Studies was established in 1964.The committee on African studies later was expanded to also incorporate African American Studies. It is an interdepartmental, interdivisional body concerned with promoting the study of African and African-American culture and society from prehistoric until contemporary times. The committee used funds provided by the University and grant organizations to expand fellowship programs, augment library holdings, finance visiting lectures and to support the hiring of new appointments, as well as providing funds to aid students and faculty members as they engaged in field work. Currently, the main activities of the Committee on African and African-American Studies are the coordination of graduate studies programs and the management of workshops and conferences.

From the guide to the University of Chicago. Committee on African Studies. Records, 1960-1995, (Special Collections Research Center University of Chicago Library 1100 East 57th Street Chicago, Illinois 60637 U.S.A.)

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