Centennial Honors College
Western Illinois University
Undergraduate Research Day 2014
Podium Presentation
Race Consciousness: The Importance of Studying Africans of the Diaspora
Latrece Erving
Faculty Mentor: Erik Brooks
African American Studies
African American Studies is an interdisciplinary academic field devoted to the study of
history, culture, and politics of the cultures throughout the African Diaspora. Some
people (including those of African descent) question the significance of African
American Studies. Some people question the rigors of African American Studies and if it
equip students for success in their lives after graduation. In this presentation, I will
showcase the rich history of the discipline of African American Studies and the African
Diaspora across the United States and abroad. I will also examine why African
American Studies should be a valued discipline in academia.