Ronald J. Stephens, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Chair
Welcome to Ohio University, and to the web page of the Department of African American Studies. As you navigate our web page I hope you locate the information you seek. Upon assuming leadership of the department on September 1, 2008, I learned a number of important factor's about the department's history and mission. One of these factors involves the institution's mission of promoting civility, distinctiveness, community outreach and engagement, and responsiveness to the political, economic, and cultural diversity which is taking place locally, regionally, nationally, and globally. A second important factor is our department has a rich legacy as one of the oldest in the country.
The department was established in 1969, and remains one of a few programs with departmental status in the State of Ohio. A centerpiece of that legacy is our shared vision and philosophy with the National Council for Black Studies, which is to promote academic excellence and social responsibility in the areas of teaching, research, and service.We are a rigorous department that is committed to producing persons, to use the language of Dr. Nathan Hare, who are capable of solving problems in a contagious American (and global) society.
The faculty of the department believes in preparing and mentoring all students in successfully completing their academic goals and objectives. Our department's mission is to contribute to an inclusive intellectual environment at Ohio University by developing and delivering an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary curriculum that advances the University's general education goals and provides all students regardless of their ethnic backgrounds with an understanding and appreciation of the African American experience, and its connections with Africa, and other communities of the African Diaspora in the Americas, Asia, and Europe.
Our department works through collaborative partnerships with the Center for African Studies and the Center for International Studies, and we hope to develop an elementary and secondary licensure certificate through the College of Education, and to work with other academic units on campus. We provide effective teaching, advising, and mentoring for our majors and minors, and valuable information students need to know about registering for independent study courses.
Our Research and Service Institute focuses on field research and service in rural America, literature and history of the African Diaspora, public policy and social justice, and media arts and visual aesthetics in the African Diaspora.
We invite you to review some of the specific services, activities, and cultural events we offer throughout the year through the Institute, which includes:
- Developing and maintaining positive relations with local, regional, national, and global institutions to foster equitable and sustainable community development and social justice.
- Providing oral history training and hands on experience for majors and minors interested in conducting field research in rural African American communities in Ohio and in studying media arts and visual aesthetics. Providing the space and support for community outreach and community engagement projects.
- Conducting research and collaborative projects with other units for digital media production.
- Collaborating with the Multicultural Center through its annual multicultural student graduation ceremony, and the Black Student Cultural Programming Boardís annual Coronation.
- Organizing annual community and campus day activities as a gesture to welcome and showcase the multicultural and multiracial heritage of Southeastern Ohio.
- Organizing and participating in annual Martin Luther King, Jr. celebrations held in January.
- Organizing annual African American History month programming throughout February.
The primary mission of the institute is to enhance community access to the University where access has been limited in the past, and to improve the relationship between the University and Southeastern Ohio's African American communities.
As you comb through our web page you will see we provide important information about each faculty members' academic background and their contributions to the department's vision and mission, as well as valuable information about our interdisciplinary curriculum. If you have questions and/or need further information, please do not hesitate to contact us. |
