"Afro-American studies is on the cutting edge of issues being debated around the world," she says.

Afro-American studies here were about to be shut down.

The department has since raised $6.2 million, and this year 40 students have chosen Afro-American studies as their concentration.

In the second stage the focus turned to black Americans (Afro-American studies).

She headed the department of Afro-American studies from 1975 to 1979 and retired in 1987 as a professor emeritus.

"His death is a tremendous loss for the university and for the field of Afro-American studies."

But it is not clear whether, as a professor of Afro-American studies, teaching biology can be considered within his professional purview.

"What's happening at Harvard makes it more difficult to trash Afro-American studies."

Right away, Neil invited me to come see him to talk about Afro-American studies.

"There's not nearly enough protection for views that go so totally against the grain, and that would be particularly true in Afro-American studies."