There is a little-known opportunity for students to learn about African and African American culture at The University of Memphis.
Last spring the African and African American Studies Program began at The University — the brainchild of Dr. Charles Williams, professor of anthropology.
The program offers an interdisciplinary approach to the study of Africa and the culture of African Americans. The programs combines history, literature, music and anthropology for a thorough understanding of the culture. The program is broken into three concentrations: humanities, the arts and social and behavioral sciences.
Fifteen majors are included in the program, which offers a bachelor of arts degree to interested students. The program’s primary goal is to prepare students to develop and use analytical skills to understand the historical and contemporary issues associated with African and African American experiences.
Dr. Jerome Lewis-Blakemore, interim director of the AAAS, said the program has the potential to benefit students of all kinds of different ethnic backgrounds.
“All races can learn from African American studies,” said Blakemore. “Knowledge is the way for people to be strengthened.”
Blakemore said the program is extremely important for the future of young people.
“If students get informed about the past, they won’t be doomed to repeat it,” he said.
According to Blakemore, students sometimes have misconceptions of the importance of the African American experience and its influence on society and life in Africa. The program involves the issues of modern Africa and its growing society.
Dr. Will Thompson, associate dean of arts and science, said the growing success of the program should attract the high African American population in Memphis, as well as reaching out to other prospective students both in and outside of the area.
“The Memphis area has a high African American population that the program is trying to appeal to,” said Thompson. “If the African American students accept the program, hopefully the success will attract other races.”
According to Thompson, the program got to a slow start because of a lack of attention. Thompson said he sees positive signs for the program’s future in the high enrollment in the Introduction to African American Studies.
“We have exceeded the 25 students limit in the class. The program is heading in the right direction.”
