Afro-American Studies...

HederaNaturale · #1 04-27-2005, 09:57 PM

I'm thinking about thinking about my major, and what I'm REALLY interested in as opposed to what I thought would make for a good career when I started school... I feel like I'm in a ditch because on one hand, as a junimore (somewhere between a sophomore and a junior... it's a long story

) I have a better idea of what I want to get out of a school and a program than I did when I was a high-school senior, but on the other hand, I feel like a fish out of water.

Anyway, I was wondering, for any of you out there who majored in Africana or Afro-American studies, what are some things that a student should look for in selecting a program (i.e., does it make a difference if most are all of the teachers are black? if one is at a PWI or HBCU?) and what are some reccomendations for institutions with good quality, not "fluff" programs?

Right now I'm kind of beginning my search with UNCC, because of the African American Lit minor and Clark Atlanta, because it's a HBU and their Africana Women's Studies Prog.

I guess I'm just looking for some feedback/suggestions/commentary/discussion... because it seems like there aren't a lot of resources out there for evaluating AA Studies departments.

TheEpitome1920 · #2 05-12-2005, 12:28 PM

I have a minor in African and Black Diaspora Studies. However, the program is new (yes, in 2005 the university is JUST getting a program) so there is a lot of room for growth. The chair of the department is phenomenal. I call him Africana.com because he has a wealth of knowledge crammed into his brain.

It depends on what you are looking for. For example, a lot of our professors have backgrounds in Literature so there's a heavy focus on that. Some programs are more radical/afrocentric (Temple University) while others aren't (Columbia). It all depends on what type of experience you want and where you interests lie.

NOWorNEVER · #3 05-12-2005, 01:27 PM

I know I'm a little late, but I'll go ahead and add my two cents. I just finished my B.A. in African-American Studies (yay for moi) at UNCG. I chose to major in something that truly interested me rather than something I could find substantial work in. I am really pleased with my decision because the major has taught me so much. At UNCG, the program was diverse and incorporated English, Sociology, Anthropology, Fine Arts, and Psychology.

I think you're absolutely right in finding out as much about various programs and schools as possible. I know here at UNCG, the program was fairly new, less than 5 years old, when I started so there were limited professors and the same people taught many classes. I have to admit that by the end of this last semester, I had become a little bored because it seemed like the subject matter was repetitious. But I'm still glad I chose it as a major. African-American Studies is broad and I think graduate schools see it as an interesting choice. I know several law students and teachers who had AFS/AFAM as majors and people who are getting their Master's in History with a AFS BA. I would suggest supplementing the program with second major or a minor...just to expand your academic transcript. Good luck.

Kimmie1913 · #4 05-12-2005, 01:58 PM

I have an A.B. from Cornell University in Africana Studies. Cornell's Africana Studies and Research Center was founded as the result of an armed takeover of the student union in the 1969. The program has a long and distinguished history and is the center of much of African American life on the Cornell campus. The Center is celebrating 25 years of existence this spring. The program is multidisciplinary so I took classes in history, sociology, political economy, literature, visual arts, education, and gender studies. etc., just from an Africana perspective. For more information about Cornell's program go to http://www.blacknessincolor.cornell.edu/
Although it is obviously a PWI, I think I got a fantastic education in Africana studies from awesome professors. It was one of my classes in my major that made me go to law school. I do think that you should give some consideration to what you want to do and not just what you are interested in. Africana studies can fit in to many career goals. And if it does not, the truly dedicated student can always choose to double major and allow it to enhance another career goal.

SummerChild · #5 05-12-2005, 08:52 PM

Skee wee Soror, I don't have any helpful comments but I just got excited b/c I noticed that you were Fall 2003 too!

LOL, ok, I'm crazy.

SC

Quote:

Originally posted by HederaNaturale
I'm thinking about thinking about my major, and what I'm REALLY interested in as opposed to what I thought would make for a good career when I started school... I feel like I'm in a ditch because on one hand, as a junimore (somewhere between a sophomore and a junior... it's a long story ) I have a better idea of what I want to get out of a school and a program than I did when I was a high-school senior, but on the other hand, I feel like a fish out of water.

Anyway, I was wondering, for any of you out there who majored in Africana or Afro-American studies, what are some things that a student should look for in selecting a program (i.e., does it make a difference if most are all of the teachers are black? if one is at a PWI or HBCU?) and what are some reccomendations for institutions with good quality, not "fluff" programs?

Right now I'm kind of beginning my search with UNCC, because of the African American Lit minor and Clark Atlanta, because it's a HBU and their Africana Women's Studies Prog.

I guess I'm just looking for some feedback/suggestions/commentary/discussion... because it seems like there aren't a lot of resources out there for evaluating AA Studies departments.

RACooper · #6 05-13-2005, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by HederaNaturale
Anyway, I was wondering, for any of you out there who majored in Africana or Afro-American studies, what are some things that a student should look for in selecting a program (i.e., does it make a difference if most are all of the teachers are black? if one is at a PWI or HBCU?) and what are some reccomendations for institutions with good quality, not "fluff" programs?

Right now I'm kind of beginning my search with UNCC, because of the African American Lit minor and Clark Atlanta, because it's a HBU and their Africana Women's Studies Prog.

I guess I'm just looking for some feedback/suggestions/commentary/discussion... because it seems like there aren't a lot of resources out there for evaluating AA Studies departments.

If I can offer some advice from someone in a "cultural/ethnic" studies program of my own...

Every school will of course say their program is the one... so you'll have to do a little research on your own (good experience for latter)

1/.
If there have been any books or articles that have grabbed your attention (positively) and influenced you... find out where the authors where educated/studied, or what school published the book/article, or hopefully were the author teaches.

2/.
Look into the different programs and schools, look into the instructors credentials - base your choice off the one that impresses you for what they are accomplishing - not whether they teach at a PWI, or that they are/aren't AA (one of the best instructors in my program isn't even close to being from the same cultural/ethnic group that he lectures on...)

3/.
Finally look towards people within the community (as you are doing now) - they can provide both personal experience, and direction in finding out more about specific programs or instructors.

Best of luck!