Paris Woods

Class of 2006
Concentrator: African and African American Studies
Email: pwoods@fas.harvard.edu

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

My favorite memory is of the seminar that I took freshman year.  Sitting at a seminar table discussing racial issues with articulate and respected members of each class year was one of the best academic experiences that I've had at Harvard so far.  Having the opportunity to discuss important topics with a variety of classmates definitely challenged me intellectually and contributed greatly to my academic growth.

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

My favorite course so far has been “Afro-American History & Society” taught by Professor Kimberly DaCosta.  This class really challenged me to re-consider my perceptions of race and the role that it plays in our society.  We were able to compare the treatment of race both historically and contemporarily in our country as well as internationally.  Throughout the semester I couldn't help thinking that every student at Harvard would benefit from taking this class.

What is the most exciting or interesting thing about African and African American Studies?

The best thing about African and African American Studies is the flexibility that you have as a concentrator.  AAAS is very interdisciplinary, and the course offerings reflect the diversity of topics and issues that are pertinent to the study of Africans and African Americans.  You can choose to focus on anything from literature, to history, to politics, to economics, and the list goes on.  I'm personally focusing on educational inequality.  I've been able to take classes not only within the Department, but at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.  I even went abroad for a semester to research school integration in South Africa.  I don't think I could have done this course of study in any other department.

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

I was pleasantly surprised to find the Department so welcoming and comfortable.  Since I switched to Afro-Am from another concentration, I was surprised to find that everyone I met really cared about me not only as another student concentrator, but as a person.  The Program Officer, Terri Oliver, is one of the greatest people that you'll meet in the department.  She's the first face you see as a concentrator, and she's always available to give advice, help you when need it, or just talk.

What do you plan to do after graduation?

I plan to go into the field of education, and I am particularly interested in increasing college access and improving educational opportunities for under-served and at-risk youth. My experience in the AAAS Department provided me with the foundation to understand the role that race plays in our society, and allowed me the flexibility to develop an educational background for the work that I plan to do.