Africana Studies

What is the program’s mission statement or statement of purpose? Why does the program exist?

The Africana studies program is a discipline that investigates the experiences of people of African descent throughout the world from their own perspectives. These experiences range from the earliest human civilization to the tragic era of enslavement, colonization, forced migration, displacement and reconstruction of African peoples humanity and ways of life. The foundations of Africana studies intellectual inquiry begins with an appreciation and understanding of African philosophy and world view. The mission of the program is to educate students on the diversity and pluralistic nature of the United States and the world, provide courses which contribute to EIU’s general education program, promote interdisciplinary  research and the preparation of majors and minors to enter graduate school and other professions.

How does the program mission align with the university mission?

 The program mission aligns with the university’s mission which supports diversity and inclusion. And seeks to offer accessible undergraduate and graduate education in which students learn the methods and outcomes of inquiry in the arts, sciences, humanities and professions guided by a faculty known for its commitment to teaching, research/creative activity and service; in an environment where students refine their abilities to reason and communicate clearly so as to become responsible citizens in a diverse world.

Whom does the program serve?

 The program serves diverse students of various racial, ethnic, and national backgrounds and the surrounding communities of Charleston and Mattoon through community services that AFR students participate in.

What are the services provided? How do these services align with the university mission and program mission?

Apart from preparing majors and minors to enter graduate school and other professions, the Africana Studies program also offer general education courses that exposes students from various departments/programs across the university to issues of diversity from a global perspective. These courses fulfill the university’s cultural diversity requirements. Students from the program also foster a deeper understanding between peoples of various backgrounds by participating in community services in the surrounding communities of Charleston (Food Pantry) and Mattoon (Sarah Bush Hospital). These services align with the university’s mission which supports diversity and inclusion.

Describe the program’s origins (e.g. year established, purpose, expectations).

The Africana Program (formerly African American Studies Program) was established at Eastern Illinois University in the fall of 1970, with a mission to provide a comprehensive examination of the experiences of peoples of African descent throughout the world. Furthermore, the program seeks to develop an understanding of the experiences, history and achievements of peoples of African descent from an African centered framework. Utilizing core values, spirituality and philosophies derived from the African world cultures, the program seeks to engage students to become critical thinkers and to use an approach to data that places Africans at the center of one’s analysis. The program also seeks to expose students to issues of diversity globally through general education courses. Additionally, the program is designed to be a bridge between the campus and the surrounding communities that would engage peoples from various ethnic and racial backgrounds in a dialogue to foster a deeper understanding of one another. And to help eradicate prejudice, stereotypes and other destructive actions which can only lead to the destruction of the possibilities of a multcultural society.

How has the unit changed or adapted over time?

Since its foundation in 1970, the program has faced many challenges. On April 28th 2004, Blair Hall where the program office was/is located was gutted by a fire resulting in the loss of many records for the program. The program then started to build from scratch in 2006. By 2009, there was a review of the curriculum by an outside evaluator who recommended a change in the curricullum to be allign with trends in the discipline. The revised curriculum was approved by the university curriculum committee (CAA) in March of 2011 and became operational in the fall of 2011. Due to the changes, the program name changed from African American Studies to Africana Studies. The revised curriculum  also offer three courses AFR 1000G, AFR 2000G and AFR 2200G that are part of the general education reguirement and especially the cultural diversty requirement. The courses are taken by all students across campus. The program is gradually building the numbers of its students enrollment which in the fall of 2013 are eight majors and nine minors.

There were also changes in the program personnel, in 2009, the number of teaching instructors were reduced from five to three (Annually Contracted Faculty (ACF). Further reductions took place in 2011 from three to two. The program today has two instructors (ACF) and a coordinator who is also an assistant professor in the department of secondary education and foundations.

If needed, provide supplemental comments to help the reader understand the program’s history and relevance to university mission.

Provide data showing the four-year trend in the number of majors, minors, options, and concentrations.

Provide data showing the four-year trend in student credit hour (SCH) production, percent of SCHs that are general education, and percent of SCHs that are taught to non-majors.

What elements of the program’s curriculum are offered specifically to support other academic majors, minors, options, and concentrations?

The elements of the programs' curriculum that are offered to support other academic majors and minors are the general education courses that are offered as part of the cultural diversity requirement that is: AFR 1000G - Introduction to Africana Studies, AFR - 2000G African American Social Movements and AFR - 2200G Pan Africanism.

If needed, provide supplemental comments to help the reader understand the internal demand for the program. Note any clarifications or special circumstances (e.g., curriculum changes made by another program) that should be considered when reviewing the above data.

The program enrollment from Fall 2010 were five majors and nine minors;  Spring 2011: five majors and twelve minors; Fall 2011: two majors and twelve minors; Spring 2012: six majors and nine minors; Fall 2012: four majors and ten minors, Spring 2013: seven majors and fourteen minors and Fall 2013: eight majors and nine minors.

List relevant data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook, the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) New Graduate Salary Survey, and the EIU Career Services Annual Report.

According to the National Council of Black Studies (NCBS) http://ncbsonline.org which is the leading organization of Black Studies professionals globally, Africana Studies Program graduates are employed in the general areas of education, human services, advocacy, business and industry, communication/writing and law and politics  

Is the program accredited or approved by a recognized external agency or otherwise certified to meet established professional standards? Provide an executive summary of and link to the program’s most recent accreditation or certification report, if available.

The program does not undergo a separate accreditation process other than what the university goes through.

Is the program required to meet any regulatory or legal requirements? Is the program subject to any special auditing requirements?

The program does not meet any regulatory requirements other than what is stipulated in the university’s’ governing policies and the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE). It is also not subject to any special auditing requirement other than the requirements that all the other university programs/departments are subjected to.

What are the most important outreach or public service activities supported by the program?

Africana Studies Program students participate in community service through the universitys' office of community services and have volunteered at the Sarah Bush hospital in Mattoon and the Food Pantry in Charleston. The program coordinator has also organized various diversity forums in Charleston under the title "Community Coffee Hour" as away to improve cultural understandings between the Charleston community and the university faculty, staff and especially minority students.

How do the local community and the region benefit from the program?

Apart from the community services provided by program students as stated above, the program promotes  diversity and exposes the surrounding communities to various diverse perspectives. It also engages peoples from all ethnic and racial backgrounds in a dialogue that fosters a depeer human understanding of one another and in the process contributes to a greater human possibilities of a multicultural society. Program students also contribute to the economic well being of the local community through spending in terms of housing, food etc.

If needed, provide supplemental comments or data sources to help the reader understand the external demand for the program.

Africana Studies (B.S.)

Significant Achievements that Document Quality/Improvement

Significant achievements that document support of VPAA and/or University goals

Integrative Learning Opportunities

Student Research/creative Activity

Faculty-student collaboration

Strategies to improve P-16 teaching and learning

External Partnerships

Pass rates on any professional/ occupational licensure exams

Faculty Achievements

Student Achievements

If needed, provide supplemental comments or data sources to help the reader understand the quality of program outcomes.

Note any special benefits (e.g., personnel support, equipment, permanent improvements) that the program has received in the past three years from its grants and other sponsored programs.

The program has recieved Redden grants for the past three years: 2011 ($1500),  2012 ($3000) and 2013 ($3000) to support undergraduate research and speaker series.

How does the program benefit from donor gifts (e.g., scholarships, endowed chairs)? Does donor support provide a significant percentage of the program’s overall funding?

The program benefits from donor gifts that goes towards its annual scholarship fund. Otherwise there are no donor support for the overall funding of the program.

List two or three key relationships that the program maintains with external constituencies (e.g., community colleges, other universities, government bodies). How do these relationships advance the university mission or otherwise benefit the university?

1). The program has an articualtion agreement with Richland Community college (there are also other articulation agreements underway). This realtionship helps advance the universitys' mission of marketing, student recruitment and enrrollment. 2). The program is also a member of the National Council for Black Studies, a leading organization of black studies professionals in the world, which establishes standards of excellence and provide guidance for Black Studies programs in institutions of higher learning and promotes scholarly research on all aspects of the African world experince. As well as a member of the National Association of Multicultural Education. These relationships helps advance the universitys' mission of academic excellence which provides students with rigorous relevant curricular developed by accomplished faculty who use their research to inform their teaching and engage students. As well as the mission of global competition and changing demographics which gives EIU graduates the skills, knowledge and abilities they need to be productive , competative and successfull members of an interdependent and diverse world.    

If needed, provide supplemental comments to help the reader understand the resources generated by the program. Note any clarifications or special circumstances (e.g., revenue pass-throughs) that should be considered when reviewing the above data.

If needed, provide supplemental comments to help the reader understand the productivity of the program. Note any clarifications or special circumstances (e.g., accreditation requirements, curricular changes, program restructuring) that should be considered when reviewing the above data.

If needed, provide supplemental comments to help the reader understand the costs associated with the program. Note any clarifications or special circumstances (e.g., expenditures made centrally or externally, expenditures made on behalf of other units) that should be considered when reviewing the above data.

How does the program seek to distinguish itself from similar programs at other institutions?

Africana Studies Program at EIU distinguishes itself from similar programs at other institutions in the following ways:

1). Program graduates acquire the skills and knowledge about diverse populations and cultures. Having knowledge about diverse populations and cultures enables students to be more engaged with diverse populations in an interconnected world. And to have the transformational experiences of interacting with colleagues from different backgrounds. These experiences are important in the workplace and are valued by employers.

 2). The Program is committed to student research. Students are taught the methods of inquiry in the arts, sciences and humanities using Africana centered theories, approaches and concepts. Students are also encouraged and supported to present their research project/s at the local, state and national conferences.

 3). Program students are offered integrative learning opportunities that enable them to participate in community service, internships and study abroad.

4). The program offers students a high quality in terms of advising and curriculum and its student centered. The graduation rate for the majors have been over 95% since 2009.

Note any unique and/or essential contributions that the program makes to the university.

Cultural diversity is integral to the fundamental commitment to excellence in liberal education. A liberal education at EIU encompasses a commitment to learning, a belief in the search for truth and exposure to different points of views and cultures. Liberal education at EIU does more than prepare students to make a living, it prepares students to live in, adapt to, and actively shape an ever changing social and economic enviroments. The Africana Studies program contributes to the university in a number of ways:

1. Through the courses offered, it enables students to recognize, understand and appreciate cultural differences throughout the United States and the world. Students also learn about the contributions of various ethnic and racial groups to the United States society.

2. Provides courses which support undergraduate majors and minors in Africana Studies.

3.  Through its RSO Africana Studies Students' Association (SANFOKA) and affiliated African Students Organization Provides cultural progams and activities which helps to enhance and enrich EIUs' multicultural environment.

4. Provide courses which helps fullfills EIUs' general education requirements.

5. Promote interdisciplinary research and integrative learning.

Provide any program-specific metrics that help to document program contributions or program quality. Examples of some commonly used program-specific metrics may be found here.

There are no specific program assessment metrics. The program is annually subjected to a student assessment by the Center for Academic and Support and Assessment (CASA) http://www.eiu.edu/~casa/.

If needed, provide supplemental comments to help the reader understand the program impact on the university mission.

Provide a link to or listing of the program’s goals and/or strategic plan.

The programs, goals are:

1. Educate students specifically on the experiences of peoples of African decent as well as diversity and the pluralistic nature of the world.

2. Provide courses that contribute to EIU's general education culutural diversity requirement.

3. Prepare majors and minors to enter graduate school and other professions.

4. Promote integrative learning and interdisciplinary research

What role will the program have in the implementation of the university’s strategic plan (provide link to strategic plan)?

Link to EIU strategic plan http://www.eiu.edu/strategicsummary/Strategic_Plan_Final.pdf. The Africana Studies Program contributes to the implementation of EIUs' strategic plan in the following ways:

1. Through its curriculum and accomplished faculty have established high standards of academic expectations and rigor which contributes to academic excellence.

2. The program has contributed to EIUs' strategic plan and especially the area of global competition and changing demographics. The program provides opportunities for students to learn about the Africana diaspora as well as diversity in the United States. In addition, all the three faculty members are fully engaged with issues of diversity on campus, for instance Dr. James Ochwa-Echel who is the coordinator of the program is also the Director of the Interdisciplinary Center for Global Diversity (ICGD) that works to promote diversity on campus through research, speaker series and cultural programs. Dr. Rosemary Onyango who is a faculty member of AFR is a member of the ICGD advisory board and Dr. Felix Kumah-Abiwu is amember of the College of Arts and Humanities Making Excellence Inclusive Committee.

What are the program’s two or three most promising opportunities that could help advance the university’s academic mission? Provide an estimate of additional investments or other costs required and additional student credit hours, revenue, or other resources generated.

1. Integrative Learning is a promising area that the program could pursue and expand if it had funds to help advance the university's academic mission. For instance currently the program has a Study Abroad Program to South Africa  which is conducted in collaboration with the department of English. More programs could be developed to areas such as the Carribean and South America, areas that are part of the Africana world experiences and plays a great role in the Africana Studies curriculum. Also more student trips could be organized to expose students to places of historical importance and give them the practical experiences rather than theory acquired in the classroom. Scholar in residence program is another area that could be pursued to teach a topic which is relevant to the program and is currently not offered namely traditional Africana music and dance. Community service and engagement is also another area that could be expanded

2. Undergraduate Research is another promising area the program could expand if there was funding. For example could consist of organizing an annual regional conference that would feature students from peer institutions, and include activities such as student's essay contests as away to encourage participation in research.

3. Scholar in residence program is another area that could be pursued, so that a scholar/expert could be brought in from an outside institution/organization to teach a topic which is relevant to the program and is currently not offered such as  traditional Africana music and dance or language like Swahili.

4. Community service and engagement is also another area that could be expanded, but it would require more majors/minors than what the program currently has.

If needed, provide supplemental comments to help the reader understand future opportunities for the program.