2008 Woodie Awards
African-American studies aids many areas, prof says
Brittney Berget - The Daily Iowan
Issue date: 3/2/07 Section: Metro
- Page 1 of 1
Princeton University Professor Valerie Smith touted the benefits of African-American studies in increasing diversity in other academic areas during a speech to around 40 people on Thursday.
Smith, who helped launch Princeton University's Center for African American Studies, also gave the audience an insight into the processes behind setting up such a program.
The UI's own African-American Studies Program began in fall 2006, and Bridget Tsemo, an assistant professor of rhetoric and African-American studies, said she feels it will be successful.
"In the past, there was an African-American World Studies Department, but this is different," she said. "I anticipate popularity; the college of Liberal Arts and Sciences has put a lot of energy into this, and that's important."
There certainly isn't a lack of academic diversity within the interdisciplinary unit. The African-American Studies Program draws from faculty from such departments as communication studies, English, health and sports studies, history, journalism and mass communication, religious studies, rhetoric, sociology, and theater arts.
"This is an exciting time for the University of Iowa," Smith said. "It will soon be counted among the top programs in the field."
Smith, a Woodrow Wilson professor of literature and the director of the African-American Center at Princeton University, has written numerous books, and she is working on another one about the civil-rights movement in cultural memory.
Tsemo said the UI's program exists for the same reason that the Princeton program was created - to increase diversity.
"We want classes across the disciplines to focus on diversity," Tsemo said. "And it's not happening on a widespread basis, and there's a need to fill in those spots."
UI sophomore Lauren McClairen, who attended the lecture, said it's important that people know what goes into developing such a department.
"The lecture was very enlightening," she said. "She knows a lot about African-American studies, and it's good the university was able to hear from her."
E-mail DI reporter Brittney Berget at:
brittney-berget@uiowa.edu
Smith, who helped launch Princeton University's Center for African American Studies, also gave the audience an insight into the processes behind setting up such a program.
The UI's own African-American Studies Program began in fall 2006, and Bridget Tsemo, an assistant professor of rhetoric and African-American studies, said she feels it will be successful.
"In the past, there was an African-American World Studies Department, but this is different," she said. "I anticipate popularity; the college of Liberal Arts and Sciences has put a lot of energy into this, and that's important."
There certainly isn't a lack of academic diversity within the interdisciplinary unit. The African-American Studies Program draws from faculty from such departments as communication studies, English, health and sports studies, history, journalism and mass communication, religious studies, rhetoric, sociology, and theater arts.
"This is an exciting time for the University of Iowa," Smith said. "It will soon be counted among the top programs in the field."
Smith, a Woodrow Wilson professor of literature and the director of the African-American Center at Princeton University, has written numerous books, and she is working on another one about the civil-rights movement in cultural memory.
Tsemo said the UI's program exists for the same reason that the Princeton program was created - to increase diversity.
"We want classes across the disciplines to focus on diversity," Tsemo said. "And it's not happening on a widespread basis, and there's a need to fill in those spots."
UI sophomore Lauren McClairen, who attended the lecture, said it's important that people know what goes into developing such a department.
"The lecture was very enlightening," she said. "She knows a lot about African-American studies, and it's good the university was able to hear from her."
E-mail DI reporter Brittney Berget at:
brittney-berget@uiowa.edu
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