STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT CORTLAND AFRICANA STUDIES DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

Dr. Seth N. Asumah, Chairperson

AAS Faculty Associates to the Department:

The Africana Studies (AFST) Department has established a highly diverse cadre of faculty members from SUNY Cortland and the surrounding areas for its multidisciplinary function. The membership consists of AFST-specific teaching faculty and non-AFST teaching members. The associate members to the AFST Department include Samuel Kelley and Paul van der Veur, Communication Studies; Bill Buxton, Literacy; Michelle Kelly, Foundation and Social Advocacy; Kassim Kone, Sociology/Anthropology; Emmanuel Nelson and Matthew Lessig, English; Christopher Latimer, Adrian Hull and Peggy Murphy, Political Science; Ibipo 10hnston­ Anumonwo, Geography; Keith Smith, EOP; Susan Rayl and Yomee Lee, Exercise Science and Sports Studies; Edward Moore, Performing Arts; Mechthild Nagel, Philosophy and Seth N. Asumah, Political Science and Chairperson.

The Year in Review:

The Africana Studies Department at SUNY Cortland maintains its raison d'etre not only as a unit for producing majors, but also as an agency for advocating social justice and liberatory education. Nationally, new graduate programs in Africana studies are emerging. Among these graduate programs are Temple University, University of Massachusetts, Amherst; New York University, University of California, Harvard University, Yale University, Cornell University, SUNY Albany, SUNY Binghamton and Syracuse University. A number of our graduates have attended graduate schools in some of these institutions. Many institutions of higher learning are reaffirming the urgency of taking Africana Studies more seriously, and SUNY Cortland has joined the ranks of these institutions that have recently elevated Africana Studies from the margins to a department status. As stated in the media regionally and nationally, students, Africanists and Africologiests have applauded this College's efforts for taking the steps in sustaining the discipline at SUNY Cortland. The functional and symbolic relevance for action cannot be overemphasized in these times of internationalization and the concomitant efforts to reach cultural competence. This year was marked, partiCUlarly, by significant achievements in the Department. Yet, as usual, there were some disappointments too.

Counted among the significant achievements were: a) two members of the Department received the State University of New York's highest ranks-Distinguished Teaching Professor and Distinguished Service Professor; b) the Department's associate membership increased with the addition of Dr. Christopher Latimer and Ms. Peggy Murphy; c) the Gospel Choir (AAS 241) visited Canada and started planning for touring Germany in 2009 ( The Student Government Association has pledged $20,000.00 to support this trip); d) the Department promoted diversity by organizing over 14 programs during Black History Month for SUNY Cortland, co-organized 1 Martin Luther King Day, and organized the Diversity Film Forum; e) promoted diversity by leading the campus in running the Summer Institute for Infusing Diversity Into the Curriculum; f) created three new courses--AAS 112, Beginning Blues Guitar, AAS 142, Rock, Jazz, and Blues Ensemble, and AAS 404, Constitutional Law lI-Civil Liberties; g) the Department's members collaborated with the Office of International Programs to complete the establishment of a new study-abroad program with the University of Ghana and the Department Chair visited the University of Ghana in October 2007 to complete the MOU; h) the Department continued to develop an institutional link with the TransAfrica Project; i) three associate members of the Department and the Chair presented papers at the New York Africana Studies Association (NYASA) Conference at Cornell University; j) curriculum development efforts in creating a new major-Africana Music Industry and Culture are almost completed; k) three associate members of the Department presented their works at Sandwich Seminars during Black History Month; 1) four associate members presented their research during Scholars Day. m) the Department Chair has been invited as one of the keynote presenters at an International Conference, Building Bridges 111: Multiculturalism and Diversity in Barcelona, Spain.

Counted among the disappointments were: a) the retirement of Dr. Don Wright; b) the resignation of Dr. Rachel Reinhard from the College; c) the continual state of ambivalence by some associate members of the Department; d) limited number of course offerings in the Department because of dependence on primary departments; c) no full-time faculty lines for the Department; and d) general structural paralysis and systemic dysfunctions from organizational standpoint with specific reference to limited resources.

AFST Department's Course Offerings:

This academic year, 36 courses with 50 total sections were offered by the Africana Studies Department in Fall 2007 and Spring 2008. Africana Studies courses serviced over 329 students for the past academic year. Our courses also served students emolled in general education courses (GE6, GE7 and GEll), upper level courses, and requirements for various majors.

Progress in Improving Diversity:

I. The Summer Institute for Infusing Diversity Into the Curriculum:

The Africana Studies Department has championed the diversity and cultural competence endeavors on this campus more than any other department. The Summer Institute for Infusing Diversity into the Curriculum was the first of its kind to be developed in 2001. Since then, other institutes such as the Ethics Institute and Teaching Effectiveness (Technology) Institute have emerged. The Director of the Summer institute for Infusing Diversity into the Curriculum, Dr. Seth Asumah, administers the program and facilitates the seminars with other associate members of the Department, Drs. Mecke Nagel and Michelle Kelly. Over 85 SUNY Cortland faculty members have benefited from this institute in the past seven years. The Institute's success could be attributable to leadership from the Africana Studies Department and financial support from the Provost's Office for faculty participation, consumable recourses, supplies, and stipends.

2 II. The African American Chorale: Gospel Choir, AAS 241

The intricacy of African American music, gospel in particular, in any Africana Studies program cannot be overemphasized. The African American Chorale has demonstrated it raison d' etre since the AFST Department assumed control of the Choir from the Performing Arts Department many years ago. The Chorale's international trip to Toronto, Canada was a raving success. Three of the objectives of the Canada trip were to expose our students to global diversity, bring gospel music to Canada, and promote SUNY Cortland in the international arena. The Choir's Canadian tour was a program that our 47 diverse student body will always add to their educational experience even after they have left Cortland. Our spring concert was dedicated to "Cultural Celebration and Diversity" and attendees were not disappointed. The African American Chorale, in addition to performing at area schools and churches to strengthen its involvement in community building and diversity, represented COltland at the regional concerts too. Furthermore, the Student Govenunent Association voted in April 2008 to support the Choir's tour of Germany in 2009 with a financial assistance of $20,000.00. It is indubitable that at the apogee of events and entities that promote diversity and concerted efforts to improve the campus climate is the Gospel Choir. This was another very successful year for the SUNY Cortland Gospel Choir.

III. Africana Dance Ensemble: AAS 106

Dr. Yomee Lee, the instructor for this course was on leave from Cortland but enjoyed her Fulbright scholarship in South Korea, where she taught this course, Africana Dance, to Koreans. She was proud to promote SUNY Cortland and this Africana Studies course in South Korea.

IV. Rock, Jazz and Blues Ensemble: AAS 142

The Africana Studies Department offered the course on Rock, Jazz and Blues Ensemble again this year. Our students and faculty have found another avenue for promoting diversity through music on campus and down town. This Ensemble performed in a series of concerts on campus and at Lucky's nightclub.

V. Black History Month:

The Africana Studies Department again maintained it role as a powerhouse in promoting diversity and sustaining the zeitgeist of the Africana World at SUNY Cortland during Black History Month 2008. As an academic unit, the Department has led this campus in presenting faculty researches in Sandwich Seminars every year during Black History Month. This year was no different from the previous years. Our Sandwich Seminar series included, "Electing an American President: Reconsidering Race, Gender, and Religion in the Politics of Change" by 3 Drs. Kathy Russell, Karla Alwes, Sam Kelley, Seth N. Asumah and Mr. Keith Smith; "A Forgotten People" was presented by Dr. Adrian Hall; "How Do You Spell Murder" A Film Discussion by Dr. Mecke Nagel; "African Americans Oppositional Identity and Black-White Academic Performance Discrepancy," by Dr. Gerald Porter; "Black Men' s Guide for Survival at SUNY Cortland" was presented by Men of Value and Excellent (MOVE); "Primary Health Care and Incidence of HIVIAIDS in Sub Saharan Africa," by Dr. Ben Wodi; "Samuel Ringgold Ward: An African American Abolitionist Preacher" was presented by Dr. Charles Maxfield; "Liberia: Rebuilding Higher Education in the Post-War Era," by Dr. Elizabeth Davis-Russell; and "An Afro Columbian Experience: History and Contemporary Experiences" was presented by Mr. Marino Cordoba.

In addition to the Sandwich Seminars and lectures, the Department co-sponsored the Annual Unity Diner that brings multicultural student organizations, the Student Government Association and faculty and staff together. The Gospel Choir performed for the celebration of Black History Month 2008.

VI. Diversity Film Forum:

To generate discussion on diversity issues on campus, Dr. Seth N. Asumah, Africana Studies and Political Science, continued with the diversity film series (which started three year ago). The Diversity Film Forum places emphasis on issues about race, ethnicity, gender, homosexuality, class, religion and intersectionalities of these variables. The following films were screened in the Diversity Film Forum: Mirrors of Privilege: Making Whiteness Visible , Hotel Rwanda, Race: The Power ofan Illusion, The Shadow ofHate, Inside Islam, and Blood Diamond.

The Diversity Film Forum was financially supported by the Office of the Provost, Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, the Affirmative Action Committee and the Africana Studies Department. With the recent establishment of the Multicultural and Diversity Council for Social Justice, the Diversity Film Forum is likely to be co-sponsored by the Africana Studies Department and the new Council at SUNY Cortland.

Progress in Internationalization:

As part of the process of internationalization at SUNY Cortland, the Africana Studies Department, in collaboration with the International Programs Office and the TransAfrica Project, has been able to establish an overseas program for faculty and students with the University of Ghana, Legon, West Africa. In October 2007, Drs. Seth Asumah and German Zarate-Hoyos visited Ghana to complete the agreement between SUNY Cortland and the University of Ghana. The two mentioned above also conducted a site visit for SUNY Cortland 's program at London Metropolitan University. The first Africana Studies major to study at the University of Ghana, Mr. Zachary Devilleneuve, will complete his sojourn and experience in Ghana at the end of this month. Finally, Dr. Seth N. Asumah has been invited by the Association of American Universities in Spain to present his work on "Infusing Diversity and Multiculturalism into the Curriculum" in Barcelona, Spain on June 20 , 2008.

4 Faculty Achievements and Honors:

Many AFST Committee members were very productive throughout the year. Drs. Kassim Kone and Mecke Nagel co-authored or co edited three books. The two faculty members mentioned above and Drs. Paul van der Veur, Christopher Latimer, and Seth N. Asumah had book chapters and/or articles published. Dr. Yomee Lee was a Fulbright Scholar in South Korea. Dr. Sam Kelley was promoted to SUNY Distinguished Service Professor (2008). Dr. Seth N. Asumah was promoted to SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor (2007). Drs. Sam Kelley and Seth N. Asumah led the efforts to raise money and secured $20,000.00 for the Gospel Choir to tour Germany in 2009. Prof Ed. Moore studied at the Center for Black Music Research, Chicago during his sabbatical. Drs. Mecke Nagel, Emmanuel Nelson, Ihipo Johnston­ Anumonwo, and Seth N. Asumah all served on the editorial boards of various publishing companies. Dr. Michelle Kelly was appointed interim department chair and Dr. Paul van der Veur received major external grants. Drs Mecke Nagel and Seth N. Asumah were elected to the Executive Board of the New York Africana Studies Association (NY ASA). Drs. Matthew Lessig and Ihipo Johnston-Anumonwo reviewed books and book chapters for major scholarly organizations. Dr. Ihipo Johnston-Anumonwo continued her tenure as an examiner for the College Board. She was a delegate of the YWCA USA to the World Council in Kenya. Dr. Seth N. Asumah served as Director for Summer Institute for Infusing Diversity into the Curriculum for SUNY Cortland (for the seventh year) and has been invited by the Association of North American University Programs in Spain (APUNE) to speak and present a paper on diversity and multiculturalism in Barcelona, Spain.

As evident above, the Africana Studies Department maintained its raison d'etre as a productive and effective agency for the Africana zeitgeist locally, nationally, and internationally.

Assessment:

The AFST Department continued to utilize its assessment plan as recommended by the President's cabinet to include a pretest/post test component. The May 2008 graduates completed a post-test survey as part of the Department's requirement for graduation. In addition, the Chairperson conducted exit interviews of our recent graduates.

Future Plans for the Department:

As stated in last year's annual report, the Africana Studies Department is in a transitional stage at this point. The elevation to a department status is concomitant with overhauling of the curriculum and sub-structures within the Department. This process started with a name change from African American Studies to Africana Studies in order to reflect current trends and nomenclature in the field. Africana invokes the combination of Africa and the African Diaspora (African Americans, Afro Europeans, Afro Asians, Afro-Caribbeans, and Afro Arabs) in the discipline.

5 The next step about this restructuring is curriculum design. Our plan is to reorganize our curriculum along tracks; a) the African continent (socio-economic and political); b) the Diaspora; African American Sociological, political and Community Development, African American History, Africana Studies/Secondary Social Studies and the new major in Africana Music Industry and Culture. These changes would require approval from System's Administration. We have completed the design for a new major, Africana Music Industry and Culture. The general paperwork would be completed this summer and presented to the Arts and Sciences Curriculum Committee in the Fall 2008 for its perusal and action.

The endeavor to increase our majors poses many challenges. We plan to increase our majors to 15 students within a year and to 30 within five years. Yet, even today, the five dual majors in the Africana Studies program were not accounted for because of the technicalities in reporting majors. Since most of our majors are dual majors, the reporting process does not give one a clear picture of students in the Department. Furthermore, the increases in majors will call for corresponding increases in human and material resources, but if the system fails to properly recognize dual majors, then many of what we do with students will never be recognized. The Administration would have to commit to two joint faculty appointments (lines) in order for the Department to be sustained. Finally, we intend to strengthen overseas study for our students and faculty in Ghana and Kenya. This is an integral part of the program of study and our first student just completed his experience at the University of Ghana.

Conclusion:

The Africana Studies Department continues to do a commendable job in contributing to diversity and the Africana zeitgeist at SUNY Cortland through course offerings, lectures, sandwich seminars, international programs, advisement, gospel music, Africana dance and connections with both underrepresented and dominant student groups. Nonetheless, the challenge to attract more majors remains irrepressible. Yet comparably, the Department continues to do a fine job in attracting students than two other departments in a similar predicament. This struggle for sustenance at Cortland for such a program, though, is reflective of the general ethos of SUNY College and its ultimate struggle in attracting students and faculty of color. Yet we have to continue to educate our students to know that Africana Studies is a discipline for all students and not just for people of African descent. In fact, most of our few majors are White students. In addition, the struggle for the Depatiment to recruit majors is typical for most multidisciplinary programs that do not "fit" the rubric of traditional disciplines. We are beginning to restructure the program. We have changed the name to Africana Studies, so that the Department could respond to the needs of both Africa and the African Diaspora. The Department must be able to secure at least two full time joint appointments with other departments in order for it to perform its function effectively.

Overall, Africana Studies would complement the efforts of this institution to the commitment of liberal education, diversity, inclusivity, internationalization, intellectual and cultural competence.

The customary format for writing an annual report and the tyranny of time discourage the inclusion of many significant elements and events of the year, some of those are things that make 6 all the rest worthwhile. Africana Studies, as a discipline, has transcended the stage of pre­ maturity in the United States, and SUNY COltland will continue to find value in the essence of this discipline to all students.

7 FACULTY TABLE Table 4A

List total # of Faculty (including professionals).

Fall 2007 Spring 2008 Department Full-Time Faculty Part-Time Faculty Full-Time Faculty Part-Time Faculty

Africana Studies 1 3 1 4 STUDENT DATA TABLES Table 1A

List total # of students in your department receiving each award. "Numbers do not include PRE and EDW

Fall 2007 Chanco Spring 2008 Chanc I Department President's List Dean's List Award President's List Dean's List Award I

I Africana Studies 0 0 0 0 I ---­ - '------­

Table 18.1

List Average GPA for Undergraduate Students ONL Y.

Fall 2007 Spring 2008 Average GPA of ill! Average GPA of ill! Department majors in Department Average GPA of majors by Program* majors in Department Average GPA of majors b'y Program* AAS/AASC 2.74 AAS/AASC 2.74

_ Afri~ana Studie~ 2.67 AAS/AASH 2.54 '--- __ 2.74 ___'------­ ------

* List programs within department and indicate average GPA for each.

Table 18.2

List Average GPA for Graduate Students ONL Y.

Fall 2007 Spring 2008 Average GPA of ill! Average GPA of ill! I Average GPA of majors by Average GPA of majors by Program* Department majors in Department Program* majors in Department I

I

Africana Studies 0 0 I

* List programs within department and indicate average GPA for each. List total # of students in your department receiving each award.

Spring 2007 Fall 2007 Winter 2008 SUNYAC AII­ SUNYAC AII- Academic Commissioner Department Academic Team Commissioner's List Team Commissioner's List SUNYAC All-Academic Team List

Africana Studies 0 0 0 0 ----_Q ~ ------

Table 10

List total # of students in your department who were either placed on probation or suspension or who were academically dismissed. *Numbers do not include PRE and EDW. Fall 2007 Spring 2008 Academic Academic Department Academic Probation Academic Suspension Dismissal Academic Probation Academic Suspension Dismissal I

Africana Studies 0 0 0 0 0 OJ STUDENT ENROLLMENT TABLES Table 3A.1 List total # of Undergraduate Students ONL Y. (00 not include minors.)

Fall 2007 Spring 2008 Full-Time Students in Full-Time Students Part-Time Students Part-Time Students Full-Time Students in Full-Time Students Part-Time Students Part-Time Students I Department Department by Program' in Department by Program' Department by Program' in Department by Program< AAS/AASC 2 AAS/AASC 2 AAS/AASH 1 I _ Afric.§na Studies _ '--- _ 2_ 0 3 0 0 - also had 2 dual count since they can with the h.ome also had 2 dual count since they can with the home AfricanaStudies majors that we can't only be·counted department major Africana Studies majors that we can't only be counted department major

, List programs within department and indicate number of students in each .

Table 3A.2

List total # of Graduate Students ONL Y .

Fall 2007 Spring 2008 Full-Time Students in Full-Time Students Part-Time Students Part-Time Students Full-Time Students in Full-Time Students Part-Time Students Part-Time Students Department Department by Program< in Department by Program' Department by Program< in Department by Program<

Africans Studies 0 0 0 - 0

< List programs within department and indicate number of students in each .