From 1980 until his retirement, in 1999, he was professor of African-American studies and creative writing.

The question worth asking then, is what this means for African-American studies and the academy in general.

There he became an associate professor of African-American studies and served as department chairman.

The growth of works in social history and African-American studies in the late 20th century brought it to light again.

"How far back does the black civil rights movement go in America before we have a field called African-American studies?"

The advances of scholarship have given African-American studies a more global vision.

In 1985, the university named him chairman of its department of African-American studies.

He taught English and African-American studies at a high school from 1963 to 1996.

And that African-American studies may now widen their ethnic definitions?

"He has made a major contribution both to African-American studies and to the larger American picture."