Inclusive Scholarship: Developing Black Studies - Ford Foundation

Inclusive Scholarship: Developing Black Studies in the United States 99
Today, there is some debate about whether Africana Studies faculty
should play their former roles of counselors and mentors or give more time
to research. Some of this tension would be eased if administrators supported
campus-life specialists who would organize cultural activities for
Black students in particular and for all students in general. Faculty development
is an important element within the university, and it is especially
important for Africana Studies faculty, many of whom need to reorient
themselves toward greater scholarship.
Public colleges that are clustered in metropolitan areas have a unique
opportunity to foster scholarship in Africana Studies by establishing master’s
degree programs and research institutes. Such projects might encourage
Africana Studies departments and programs to develop strengths in
specific areas. These strengths could be drawn upon for graduate programs
and research institutes to promote greater scholarship by identifying areas
of investigation and by bringing together scholars with similar interests.
Research institutes might also be a means to influence more students to
pursue advanced degrees and expand the number of minority scholars.
Answers to the question of “Africana Studies for what?”will have a significant
effect on the shape and content of the curriculum. To address these
issues, the National Council for Black Studies has already embarked on a
program of summer institutes for college teachers. Such responses will also
influence the role of Africana Studies on different campuses. Africana Studies
will continue to vary from college to college. Ultimately, however, there
is a need for greater clarification and understanding through more dialogue
about its specific function on various campuses.