2008 Woodie Awards
Interdisciplinary concentration turns into a minor
Kelly Love
Issue date: 2/22/07 Section: News
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Until recently, African American studies was merely an interdisciplinary concentration at the College, offering students who wished to pursue study in this area no official credentials for their study. Although students could take classes to fulfill the concentration, no evidence of it would appear on their diploma upon its completion. This problem has been rectified thanks to the petitioning and support of a number of professors at the last faculty meeting. Mary Lawlor, Director of American Studies, and Charles Anderson, the new head of African American Studies, co-wrote the proposal to create an interdisciplinary African American Studies minor, which was recently approved.
Many favorable changes will be brought about by this movement, beginning with the ability to have a degree with African American Studies listed as an officially completed minor. Lawlor explained, "In contrast to the rather open-ended 'African American Studies concentration' that's currently in the catalog, the new minor provides a specific curricular structure, faculty direction and advising, as well as a credential for the students who pursue it."
The development of the African American Studies minor also aims to attract a more diverse faculty with skills and knowledge that can not only contribute to the minor, but add a new perspective to other areas of curricula.
We can also expect to see new classes added and the curricula of classes already focusing on African American Studies expanded. Daniel Wilson, Chairman of the Curriculum Committee who approved the African American Studies minor, explained some changes that will occur within the History department as a result of the new minor. He said, "The History department is proposing to split the African American History course into two courses." The first course would be taught by Judy Ridner, Associate Professor in History and Director of Center for Ethics, and would deal with African American history leading up to the year 1896 and the Plessy v. Ferguson Supreme court decision, which legalized the "separate but equal" doctrine that brought about the idea that segregation based on classifications was legal as long as facilities were of equal quality. The second African American history course would primarily deal with historical events in the 20th century, and would be taught by Susan W. Clemens-Bruder, History Professor.
Many favorable changes will be brought about by this movement, beginning with the ability to have a degree with African American Studies listed as an officially completed minor. Lawlor explained, "In contrast to the rather open-ended 'African American Studies concentration' that's currently in the catalog, the new minor provides a specific curricular structure, faculty direction and advising, as well as a credential for the students who pursue it."
The development of the African American Studies minor also aims to attract a more diverse faculty with skills and knowledge that can not only contribute to the minor, but add a new perspective to other areas of curricula.
We can also expect to see new classes added and the curricula of classes already focusing on African American Studies expanded. Daniel Wilson, Chairman of the Curriculum Committee who approved the African American Studies minor, explained some changes that will occur within the History department as a result of the new minor. He said, "The History department is proposing to split the African American History course into two courses." The first course would be taught by Judy Ridner, Associate Professor in History and Director of Center for Ethics, and would deal with African American history leading up to the year 1896 and the Plessy v. Ferguson Supreme court decision, which legalized the "separate but equal" doctrine that brought about the idea that segregation based on classifications was legal as long as facilities were of equal quality. The second African American history course would primarily deal with historical events in the 20th century, and would be taught by Susan W. Clemens-Bruder, History Professor.