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Department of African and African American Studies
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The Department of African and African American Studies is an interdisciplinary field of study, which provide students with opportunities to pursue courses with an African, Caribbean, and African American focus. In fulfilling this objective, the department recognizes the natural connection between Africans, African Americans, and the rest of the African Diaspora. The department strives to remove the distortions about Africa and Black peoples through courses that highlight the rich heritage, histories, achievements as well as cultural contributions of the people of African descent to human civilization. These course offerings enable students to acquire skills, sensitivities, and knowledge that enhance their functioning more intelligently in a diverse society. The department’s aim then is to develop and produce scholars committed to academic excellence and social responsibility in the United States who are prepared to build bridges with other cultural groups in the global space. The department strives through its various programs (i.e., study abroad, domestic field experiences, internships, and annual Black World Conference) to enhance Metropolitan State College of Denver’s mission of fostering diversity and mutual respect inside as well as outside the campus community.
Trained in traditional areas and in African American Studies, the faculty of the department brings not only a breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding of African, Caribbean, and African American Studies to the college, but also a demonstrated theoretical and practical awareness of their role in the pursuit of a well-rounded education. Faculty in the department are committed to disseminating accurate information, encouraging creative and critical thinking, and fostering the pursuit of academic rigor. The professional development activities of the faculty are an extension of the department’s instructional program, and reflect not only the faculty’s scholarly and activist interests, but also their commitment to providing information and interpretations significant to African people and the larger society.
In addition to the comprehensiveness of its academic program, the department sponsors a full calendar of events in celebration of African American History Month during February, and sponsors and/or co-sponsors other cultural programs throughout the academic year. Such programming provides another opportunity for the department to enhance its instructional program. Community service is another avenue by which the faculty of the department extends their expertise, and at the same time enhances the lives of the people it serves.
The Department of African and African American Studies at Metropolitan State College of Denver was founded in the summer of 1969. The dean of the college, Dr. Keats McKinney, worked with Dr. Gwendolyn Thomas and Dr. Wilton Flemon over several months to establish the new department. In the fall of that year, Dr. Flemon became the first chair of the department, which was named the Department of Afro-American Studies. The department consisted of three faculty members in addition to Dr. Flemon: Professor Rachel B. Noel, Professor Mabel Leathers, and Dr. Vincent B. Khapoya. Each faculty member continued to maintain ties with traditional departments, which includes the departments of Sociology and Political Science, as well as participating in the intellectual development and growth of the new department. Thus, from its inception, the department has been one that fosters interdisciplinary dialogue, teaching and service. In the beginning, the department offered a minor to students. By 1976, the faculty had successfully instituted a major. The department faculty developed the curriculum in collaboration with other Metro faculty, members of the Black Student Alliance, faculty from the University of Denver’s Graduate School of International Studies, and community leaders.
Course offerings included Introduction to African-American Studies, The Black Community, The Black Family, Social Movements and the Black Experience, Politics and Black People, and African Politics and Government. Many of the courses developed during this time continue to be popular with students today. The department welcomed many talented people into its ranks over the succeeding years. Included in this group were Dr. Akbarali Thobhani (1972), Dr. Cottee J. White (1985), Dr Obidike Kamau (1996), Professor Dennis Green (1998), Professor Jacquelyn Benton (2000), and Professor Omar Montgomery (2001). With the retirements of Drs. White and Thobhani in 2004, a new generation of scholars with national and international credentials and experience were recruited. These include Dr. Ronald Stephens (2005), Dr. Derrick Hudson (2005), and in 2006, Dr. Lucas Shamala, Dr. Ella Maria Ray, Dr. Jacquelyn McLeod, and Dr. Douglas Samuels.
The department has undergone several leadership transitions during its history. Each new chair has brought unique talents and expertise to the position and has made contributions to the department’s development. As the first chair, Dr. Flemon’s role was instrumental in laying the foundation for the department. He earned a Ph.D. in Physical Organic Chemistry from the University of Denver and immediately became a tenured associate professor in the Chemistry Department. He received several high profile appointments within the institution including Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs, Special Assistant to the President, and Special Assistant to the Director of Institutional Advancement. These assignments required him to scale back his teaching and eventually give up his position as chair. Nevertheless, he always remained a strong advocate of the department even while serving the college in other capacities. For example, it was Dr. Flemon who spearheaded the effort to establish a professorship that would bring in prominent academics from different disciplines for one semester to serve at the college and in the surrounding community. Under his advice, the professorship was named in honor of Professor Rachel B. Noel.
Extended Department's History
Link below contains a document prepared by the department's chair Professor Ronald J. Stephens for the Board of Trustees.
The progress report contains the following...