SANKOFA means to move forward by remembering the past. This is the idea that encompasses the new major in African and African- American Studies at The University of Memphis.
Dr. Charles Williams, associate professor and director of AAAS, is excited the program is now in its second semester. He said the new course delves deeper into African-American related subjects than those of the past.
"We want them to have a sense of history of their own people," Williams said. "And a sense that we can move beyond a negative sense of history into a rich sense of positiveness."
Derick Tisby, a senior majoring in AAAS, said he chose the program because he wanted to learn about his roots.
"I plan to liberate," Tisby said. "I plan to teach."
Tisby said society has placed a lot of myths in the minds of people about African Americans and the social construct of society doesn't influence people to study African-American issues.
"This program is definitely an academic program that is unique," Williams said. "It promotes intellectual knowledge and a better understanding of race relations."
John Gilmore, who teaches the course seminar in AAAS, said he thinks there is a need to have an appreciation of the contributions of African Americans to the culture and the world.
Gilmore also is a pastor of the Mount Olive CME Church.
"I have a great group of students," Gilmore said.
Gilmore said the students seem genuinely eager to learn and are a very articulate group.
"I hope the students will come out with an appreciation of their culture, and all cultures," Gilmore said.
Williams said the AAAS is a stepping-type degree leading to more advanced degrees.
"Besides intellectual pursuit, people with these degrees can teach," Williams said. "They can also go into other professional degrees."
Previously the AAAS was a minor under the name black studies and originally was an 18-hour path. The AAAS major was approved in August of 2000. Williams said there are approximately 12 people in the program.
Terriah Patrick who is in the AAAS program, said she heard about the program from a fellow student. She said the program is enlightening and complained that area schools do not teach African-American studies.
"When I get this degree, I want to teach," Patrick said. "I want to keep informing, like Dr. Williams and Dr. (Kenneth) Goings."
