First-year seminar explores history of Black student protests on college campuses

The course at Brown University examines activism from the Civil Rights Movement to the present day

Apr. 6, 2026 at 4:55am

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A first-year seminar at Brown University, "Black Student Protest from Jim Crow to the Present," examines the history of Black student activism on college campuses across the nation. Taught by Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion and Professor of Africana Studies and American Studies Matthew Guterl, the course connects past and present protest movements, exposing students to different forms of activism and encouraging them to situate what they've learned in the context of current events.

Why it matters

In recent years, activism at Brown has drawn national attention, but the university's history of protest dates back decades. The seminar provides students with a broader understanding of campus organizing, from the Civil Rights Movement to today, helping them interpret current events through the lens of past movements.

The details

The small, discussion-based seminar exposes students to a variety of materials, including scholarly articles, memoirs, and documentaries, with a particular focus on protests in the 1960s and 1970s. The final project involves collaborative research, such as interviewing alumni involved in campus protests or examining a free speech case from the 1990s. The course is designed to connect the past and present, rather than encourage direct participation in activism.

  • The course is offered once every few years at Brown University.
  • The current iteration of the seminar is taking place in the spring of 2026.

The players

Matthew Guterl

Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion and Professor of Africana Studies and American Studies at Brown University, who teaches the "Black Student Protest from Jim Crow to the Present" seminar.

Noliwe Rooks

Professor and chair of the Africana Studies department at Brown University, who says the course is designed to connect the past and present of campus activism.

Avie Marsh

A Brown University student currently enrolled in the "Black Student Protest" seminar.

Cassandra Coleman

A Brown University student who took the "Black Student Protest" seminar in 2023.

Eden Philippe

A prospective Brown University biochemistry and molecular biology concentrator who is taking the "Black Student Protest" seminar.

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What they’re saying

“The class is less about teaching students to be an activist, but more about teaching about the history of activism and student activism. We're really just trying to understand a fuller picture of what activism looks like.”

— Mira Flood, Brown University student

“Taking this class made a sacrifice of protests more visible to me, and especially for those on the front lines, like those who are occupying University Hall or sitting there on the encampment.”

— Cassandra Coleman, Brown University student

“If you can't understand what has come before, how are you expected to move the world in the future?”

— Mira Flood, Brown University student

What’s next

The course will be offered again in a few years, continuing to provide Brown University students with a deeper understanding of the history of campus activism.

The takeaway

This seminar offers a unique opportunity for students to explore the rich history of Black student protests on college campuses, from the Civil Rights Movement to the present day. By studying past movements, students can gain a more nuanced perspective on the role of activism in driving social change, both on their own campus and beyond.