Students will soon have a better opportunity to learn about the culture, language
and history of one of the world’s largest
continents.
The College of Arts and Sciences is introducing a new African studies initiative in the fall, after receiving a two-year, $160,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
Faculty members involved with the
program said they hope to use the grant to remedy what they perceive to be a shortcoming in the educational opportunities available to students.
“There’s really been no significant presence of Africa in the curriculum,” said Stephen Wooten, program director and assistant professor of international studies and anthropology. “The addition of African studies to this campus is a significant step forward.”
Wooten said the CAS African studies program will come in four segments: curriculum development, language program development, study-abroad program expansion and public lecture hosting.
A series of public lectures called the “Baobab Talks,” and new courses entitled “Africa in Oregon” and “African Experiences” will be available in the fall.
“We will identify how and where Africa is represented in Oregon,” Dennis Galvan, associate professor of international studies and political science, said of the “Africa in Oregon” course, according to a press release. “One area of focus will be African refugees who have settled in the upper Willamette Valley. The ‘Experiences’ course will be based on a mentorship model where students who have been to Africa can come together as a group and share what they’ve learned.”
Wooten emphasized the importance of more instruction in African languages.
“There are 2,000-plus languages in Africa,” Wooten said, adding that very few are taught.
As part of the new initiative, the Swahili language class will be enhanced and Bamana-Dyula and Wolof classes will be added.
Africa has been an increasingly popular study abroad and internship destination, Wooten said.
IE3 Global Internships Regional Coordinator Holly LeMasurier,
who oversees internships in
Africa, agreed that the overseas programs are popular. IE3 will be cooperating with the College of Arts and
Sciences on the new African
studies program.
“It’s just a very rich place for
student learning,” LeMasurier said. “The diversity there is definitely unique.”
LeMasurier added that the language, culture, geography and history of the continent are among the reasons to study there.
“Africa is a priority for setting up new internships,” LeMasurier said.
University President Dave Frohnmayer commented on the new program in a press release.
“The grant from the U.S. Department of Education recognizes the commitment and dedication of our faculty members involved in African studies,” Frohnmayer said. “It will enhance greatly the faculty’s capacity to work with students eager to learn more about this vitally important region of the world.”
Eventually, program faculty members hope the University will offer a minor or certificate in African studies.
“That’s a long-term goal,” Wooten said of the minor. “We have to work through a number of institutional hurdles to get to that spot.”
One of those obstacles is obtaining more permanent funding from the University.
“After the grant period, we need to make sure that the programs
we start we can continue,” Wooten said.
Wooten added that students appear to be interested in Africa.
“The faculty members worked to get this grant because the students have expressed interest in it,” Wooten said.
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