About the Department

The Department of Pan-African Studies at Kent State University serves a vital need in the university community. In the late 1960s African-American students requested that the university curriculum significantly reflect their historical and contemporary experiences. For too long the contributions of Africans and peoples of African descent were ignored or marginalized. The development of the Institute for African American Affairs in 1969, the Center of Pan-African Culture in 1970, and the Department of Pan-African Studies in 1976 were the university’s most affirmative academic responses to African-American students.

The faculty members in the department benefit Kent State students by providing a rich breadth of courses in the Pan-African Studies curriculum. The faculty have their degrees in anthropology, history, political science, sociology, literature, communications, art, theatre arts and languages.

The curriculum also exposes students to the theoretical and practical issues involved with community organizations and community development. Of particular interest are two courses on the African-American family and African-American education taught by Dr. Alene Barnes and Dr. Jacqueline Rowser.
A minor in Pan-African studies is offered in the colleges of Arts and Sciences; Education, Health, and Human Services; and Fine and Professional Arts.

Program Description

The Department of Pan-African Studies offers a holistic program to undergraduate students, the primary purpose of which is to provide them with basic information and questions which will lead to further research, study and analysis. The courses cover the full spectrum of Pan-African affairs (the past, present and future of the global African experience). The curriculum also promotes a healthy appreciation, recognition and understanding of the diversity of cultures and civilizations comprising the human family.

 

African Language Program

The Department of Pan-African Studies offers Kiswahili I, II, III and IV. Kiswahili may be taken to fulfill the language requirements in the College of Arts and Sciences. Students should consult their advisor or the chairperson of the Department of Pan-African Studies before enrolling in the African Language Program.

Communication Skills and Arts Program

A unique feature of the Pan-African studies curriculum is the Communication Skills and Arts Program. A joint effort by the departments of Pan-African Studies and English, this program teaches freshman English in an innovative, sensitive manner. These freshman courses are the same as those offered by the Department of English; the only difference is the selected reading materials. Students in this program are also required to enroll in the complementary courses, Interpreting the Black Experience I and II.

African Community Theatre

The African Community Theatre, located in Oscar Ritchie Hall, increases exposure to and knowledge of the theatre heritage of African peoples for students and local community residents of all ages. This program encourages area residents and students to participate in or attend African-American theatrical productions, enhances the communication skills of the actors and provides an awareness and appreciation of the African heritage as depicted through theatre.

Facilities

The Department of Pan-African Studies and the Center of Pan-African Culture are located in Oscar W. Ritchie Hall. In addition to classrooms, offices and lounges, the resources available to students include a research library, art gallery, darkroom, large lecture room, a community theatre, dressing rooms, scene construction shop and computer classroom.