The UA Africana Studies Program celebrates Black History Month with a series of lectures co-sponsored with the School of International Languages, Literatures and Cultures (SILLC).

In the first of these, Dr. Kristina Bishop, a lecturer in the School of Geography and Development and Affiliated Faculty in Africana Studies at the University of Arizona, will discuss post-apartheid South Africa as both an emerging global power and a place of social distress. "South Africa: A Democratic Success?" will take place on February 13, 2012 at 3 p.m. at Saguaro Hall Room 225.

In the second Black History Month lecture presented by Africana Studies and SILLC, Cultural Affairs Officer Chad Cummins will discuss "U.S. Presence in Africa" at the Koffler Building, Room 216, on Wednesday, February 15 at 3 p.m.

Alain-Philippe Durand, School of International Languages, Literatures, and Cultures (SILLC) Director and Interim Director of Africana Studies, says, "Black History Month is a wonderful opportunity for SILLC and Africana Studies to celebrate the rich diversity and contributions of the Africana peoples around the globe. As a truly interdisciplinary School and a partner of many programs and departments all over the University, it is very important for SILLC to actively participate in Black History Month."

SILLC's Africana Studies program offers courses cross-listed in more than 15 departments and programs around campus with focus on Africa, Latin American and Caribbean, and North America; and it has been growing quickly, doubling its number of majors in one semester. Africana Studies is especially interested in the new emerging global powers (China in Africa, South Africa, Brazil) and how they interact with the US and other countries.

In addition to the two lectures co-sponsored during Black History Month, Alain-Philippe Durand and some Africana Studies faculty and majors were invited to lecture in several schools in Tucson through the TUSD's African American Studies Department. Durand will lecture on hip-hop (Durand will teach the new course AFAS 373 US & Francophone Hip-Hop Cultures in the summer and fall 2012) and Yuxuf Abana and Tani Sanchez, both lectures for Africana Studies, and Africana Studies majors will read excerpts of their favorite African American authors.

A complete schedule of Black History Month events at the University of Arizona can be found here.