Enoch Woodhouse

Class of 2007
Co-Concentrator: Religion and African and African American Studies
Email: woodhous@fas.harvard.edu

What is your favorite memory of your experience in the Department of African and African American Studies (AAAS)?

Last summer, the Du Bois Institute hosted an event on the progress of black people since the Brown v. Board of Education decision. At this event was a panel of the leading scholars in African American studies, who happened to be Harvard professors, as well as Barak Obama. It was held on Martha’s Vineyard and through the recommendation of a professor in the department, I was allowed to come and usher at the event. I got to meet Barak Obama and Chris Tucker in addition to hear a panel of experts on the African American condition today.

What was your favorite course that you took in the AAAS Department?

It has been a tie for the best AAAS course which I have taken here at Harvard.  The first course that I took in the Department entitled “Black Nationalism,” taught by Tommie Shelby, was one of my favorites. Prior to this class, I did not have much knowledge of the history of black people in this country, but this course touched on many of the historical landmarks in black history, while also delving into the theory of black nationalism itself in which I have since become very interested. The other class which I enjoyed was entitled “Black Intellectuals” and was taught by Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham. I found this class challenging because it forced me to think in a different, more critical light than I had done in the past. In this class, we touched on the ideologies of many black thinkers, some famed, and other less heralded figures.

Was there anything that surprised you about your experience in the Department?

What is remarkable about this Department is that one semester you will be reading one of the preeminent works in the study of African Americans and then the next semester you will take a class with the person who wrote that book. That has happened to me on a number of occasions and these people who have written books revolutionizing the study of the field have discussions with, and care about someone who isn’t even twenty years old.

Is there anything about African and African American Studies that you think is unique?

This Department is very refreshing in that it is so small which gives you the opportunity to facilitate great relationships with the faculty who also happen to be the leading scholars in the field.

What do you plan to do after graduation?

After graduation, I plan on going to law school and then perhaps working for a non-profit agency. After learning about the history of black people in this country as well as seeing our current condition, it is hard for me to not do something to help ameliorate these problems.