African-American History Area - History at the University of Missouri

African-American History

African-American history is the history of America. It is the nearly 400 year history of a people, who, while building a nation that viewed itself as the greatest democracy on earth, confronted and grappled with enslavement and inequality. It is a powerful story that speaks of the struggle for justice. Centuries of courage, betrayal, triumph, and resilience course through this story. Not surprisingly, the study of African-American history opens up the trans-generational and transnational frontiers of cultural, political, economic, and social self-determination.

The Department of History at the University of Missouri-Columbia has a virtually unprecedented number of faculty who specialize in African-American history. These scholars have the expertise and research breadth and depth to prepare graduate students to explore this rich history, create new knowledge, push the boundaries of this intellectual enterprise, and redefine the field.

Our faculty include

Carol Anderson, associate professor, Ph.D., Ohio State University, human rights, anti-colonialism, African Americans and U.S. international relations.

Wilma King, professor and Arvarh Strickland Chair, Ph.D., Indiana University, African-American history, slavery, African-American women and children in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Julius Thompson, professor and Director of Black Studies, Ph.D., Princeton, the black press, the Black Arts Movement, lynching.

Robert Weems, Jr., professor, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison, black capitalism, economic development in the African-American community, African-American consumerism, African-American entrepreneurship and business enterprises.

In addition, the following MU faculty have expertise in related and important areas:

Mark Carroll, associate professor, Ph.D., University of Houston, Old South, southwestern frontier, legal history.

Abdullahi Ibrahim, associate professor, Ph.D., Indiana University, Africa, Islam.

LeeAnn Whites, professor, Ph.D., University of California-Irvine. Civil War and reconstruction, women, 19th-century South.

If you are interested in pursuing graduate work in African-American history, we hope you consider joining us.

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