This book present the diverse, expansive nature of African American Studies and its characteristic interdisciplinarity. It is intended for use with undergraduate/ beginning graduate students in African American Studies, American Studies and Ethnic Studies. Section I focuses on the historical development of the field and the diverse theoretical perspectives utilized in African American Studies. Section II examines African American Studies' commitment to community service and social activism, and includes exclusive interviews with acclaimed actor/activist Danny Glover and renowned scholar, Manning Marable. Section III presents international perspectives, with chapters written by a former United States ambassador and a British scholar who has taught Black Studies in the US and the UK. Section IV includes selected areas of scholarship: Oral History as an important research methodology, illustrated with a powerful first person account of torture experienced by a member of the San Francisco 8 whose legal case garnered international attention; African American Philosophy; African Aesthetics (song and dance); perspectives on Womanism, Black Feminism and Africana Womanism with a focus on literature; and African American Religion. The book concludes with African American Studies' strengths and challenges and demonstrates that it is vital, transformative and sustainable for universities and communities. Key features:*Each chapter is original, and commissioned specifically for this book, with scholars from diverse areas of the field of African American Studies*Includes two exclusive interviews: with Danny Glover, acclaimed actor and activist and with Manning Marable, one of the best known 'public intellectuals' in Black Studies in the US*Promotes many different 'voices', including a powerful first person description by one man of the torture he endured by US authorities*The dual purpose of African American Studies related to scholarship and education and the respo