Essence Learning Community
Essence welcomes all students interested in learning about the Black diaspora and impacted peoples through events, dialogue, and community-building. Bolstering a sense of belonging on campus via events and academic programming, Essence offers an opportunity to enroll in an Introduction to African American Studies seminar section reserved for Essence residents in Witte.
Sponsor: Department of African American Studies | Open to: all majors
Additional Fee: $0
How to Join
All items must be completed by your due date (May 1 for most admitted students). You can be assigned to any learning/theme community even if you did not preference it.
- Sign your University Residence Halls contract and submit your advance payment in My UW Housing.
- Rank the Essence Learning Community first when you submit your hall preferences in My UW Housing.
- Prioritize learning communities over residence halls when you submit your hall preferences in My UW Housing.
- Complete and submit the Essence Learning Community application/agreement in My UW Housing.
- Indicate if you want a random or preferred roommate in My UW Housing, and create/join a roommate group if you have a preferred roommate(s).
- You and your preferred roommates must choose Essence Learning Community as your number one choice.
Seminar
Introduction to African American Studies
AFROAMER 101 | 3 Credits
Delve into the origins of African American Studies as an academic discipline and examine how African Americans have contributed to the understanding of the African American experience, both historically and in the present day. Each week will cover a different topic of African American studies, including topics like Black feminism, Afropessimism, Afrofuturism, colorism, and Black ontological possibility. Together, we will analyze the current struggles of the Black community for freedom, justice, and humanity.
Programming
Community Goals
- Engage students in learning about the Black diaspora
- Create opportunities for connection through shared interests
- Create an environment that prioritizes a sense of belonging
- Connect students to campus resources and leadership opportunities
Events & Activities
The Essence floor holds a number of events that add to its enriching floor setting. We kick off the semester with the an convocation where residents are invited to a celebration and presentation led by our faculty director, Dr. Jessica Lee Stovall. As the Essence Floor is hosted by the African American Studies Department, students will be able to participate in the Department’s Night at the Theater, guest lectures, and community building events.
Examples of typical or past Essence programs:
- Opening ice cream social
- Breakfast & bingo
- Peer mentor meet & greet
- Guest speakers
- Trips to the movies
Resources
