History

Melville J. Herskovits, a distinguished anthropologist, was one of the first scholars to recognize the importance of identifying the linkages between the societies, cultures and religions of the peoples of Africa and their descendants in the Americas. In 1948, Herskovits founded the Program of African Studies (PAS) at Northwestern, the first and foremost center of its kind at a major research university in the United States with a grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. Serving as a vital resource and community for Africanist faculty, students and academic professionals, PAS has achieved international prominence for fostering the production of innovative scholarship, the training of hundreds of Africa specialists, and the development of new ways of thinking about the African world.

Today, PAS remains at the forefront, conducting research and programs to advance knowledge about Africa, strengthen Northwestern’s involvement in the continent, and promote cooperative approaches to increase international understanding. PAS pursues this cross-disciplinary agenda through its work with undergraduate and graduate students, faculty with diverse specializations, and partnerships around the world.

PAS is one of the 19 research centers under the University's Office of Research. In addition to major research initiatives, PAS activities comprise undergraduate and graduate courses, lectures, Africa-based study, fellows programs, publications, film series, and outreach.

Former directors of PAS include: Gwendolen M. Carter (1964-1974); Abraham Demoz, a linguist (1974-1980); John Paden, a political scientist (1980-1986); David William Cohen, a historian and anthropologist (1989-1994); Jane I. Guyer, an anthropologist (1994-2001).