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College of Arts and Sciences

  • Farm Woman painting by Jonathan Green

    'Farm Woman'

    Painting by Jonathan Green

Institute for African American Research

Originally established in 2007 as a working initiative to encourage the scholarly study and public understanding of all facets of race and Black life in the United States and throughout the African Diaspora, the Institute for African American Research (IAAR) achieved its official status as a USC entity from the Board of Directors on April 7, 2009, and on June 17th, from the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education.

The Institute serves as an interdisciplinary hub within the College of Arts and Sciences, bringing together faculty and students to engage in scholarly exchange and collaborative research.

The Institute also hosts events during the year around particular themes a way to explore different aspects of the African American experience – historical, cultural, social, political, and economic. We are creating new research initiatives and working to highlight undergraduate student research.

The Institute’s offices are located on the second floor of the Gambrell (257A). Open daily, and often featuring artistic exhibits which are free and open to the public.

Exploring this site, you will find information on our faculty and staffresearch initiatives; how to get involved  as well as inks to upcoming events.


Challenge the conventional. Create the exceptional. No Limits.

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