2008 Woodie Awards
Africana Studies expands student cultural awareness
Gina Parisi '09
Issue date: 2/7/07 Section: News
After several weeks of planning, a new minor in Africana studies will soon be offered to Saint Joseph's students. According to Arnold Farr, Ph.D., the director of this new program, the purpose of this new addition to our academic options is to familiarize the students of Saint Joseph's with works related to a culture different from their own. It is his concern that people can go through years of schooling without ever reading a piece of writing written by an African-American author. "It's almost as if African-Americans that have made so many important contributions are invisible," said Farr.
According to Farr, the introduction of this new minor is not only one way to help students learn about a different culture other than their own, but is also a different way for students to learn more about themselves. "In order for students to understand themselves as Americans, they have to be able to think seriously about the issue of race," said Farr. A minor such as this one is not designed specifically for students of African-American descent, but also for students who are not of this race, in order for them to gain a better understanding of a culture that is not their own.
There is a requirement of six courses that must be taken in order to satisfy this minor, which was approved at the beginning of last semester. Although all of the plans have not been settled yet and the particular courses needed have not been decided upon, there are some students who are attempting to graduate with a minor in Africana Studies this year.
The committee in charge is planning to introduce this new addition in the middle of March, at which time a brochure of information may be compiled so that anyone who is interested in this new option can receive more detailed information.
When questioned about her opinion on this new minor in Africana Studies, Ellen Maloney, '09, agreed that this is a good addition to our academic choices. "It will broaden the insight students have on African American culture being that we are in a school that is predominantly white." She believes that providing students with such insight will not only benefit them throughout their college years, but also well into their future. As an education major, she knows that she will probably have a diverse classroom setting and, as a future educator, it is important to have a well-rounded view and education not only of African-American backgrounds, but also of other ethnicities. Therefore, she believes that this new focus can benefit students of all majors in their future prospects.
According to Farr, the introduction of this new minor is not only one way to help students learn about a different culture other than their own, but is also a different way for students to learn more about themselves. "In order for students to understand themselves as Americans, they have to be able to think seriously about the issue of race," said Farr. A minor such as this one is not designed specifically for students of African-American descent, but also for students who are not of this race, in order for them to gain a better understanding of a culture that is not their own.
There is a requirement of six courses that must be taken in order to satisfy this minor, which was approved at the beginning of last semester. Although all of the plans have not been settled yet and the particular courses needed have not been decided upon, there are some students who are attempting to graduate with a minor in Africana Studies this year.
The committee in charge is planning to introduce this new addition in the middle of March, at which time a brochure of information may be compiled so that anyone who is interested in this new option can receive more detailed information.
When questioned about her opinion on this new minor in Africana Studies, Ellen Maloney, '09, agreed that this is a good addition to our academic choices. "It will broaden the insight students have on African American culture being that we are in a school that is predominantly white." She believes that providing students with such insight will not only benefit them throughout their college years, but also well into their future. As an education major, she knows that she will probably have a diverse classroom setting and, as a future educator, it is important to have a well-rounded view and education not only of African-American backgrounds, but also of other ethnicities. Therefore, she believes that this new focus can benefit students of all majors in their future prospects.
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