Africana & American Indian Studies is new name for Ethnic Studies Program

After 33 years of existence, the Ethnic Studies Program, housed at the College of Social Sciences, has been renamed Africana & American Indian Studies Program.

Since its inception in 1970, the Ethnic Studies Program at various times had been the home of different “ethnic” programs, including Armenian Studies, Asian-American Studies and La Raza Studies, all of which moved out to form their separate identities or merged with other academic programs on campus.

Dr. Yaw Oheneba-Sakyi, chair of the department, said the new name provides visibility and brings clarity to the department’s mission in providing students with appropriate knowledge and skills necessary to understand the history and culture of African peoples all over the world and American Indians in North America.

Africana Studies emphasizes the fact that the African American experience cannot be understood in isolation but in relation to the experiences of the other peoples of African descent, both on the continent and in the Diaspora. Thus, the current curriculum will be expanded to include new courses on Africa, the Caribbean and other geographical areas of the African Diaspora.

American Indian Studies examines the indigenous cultures of ancient, historical and contemporary America focusing on American Indians, Arctic-Native peoples and natives of Northern Mexico.

Oheneba-Sakyi said the new program will continue to offer a major in African American Studies and minors in African American Studies, American Indian Studies and Ethnic Studies. The department serves as a social support arena providing students with needed role models and mentors.

The department’s current plans include continued support of interdisciplinary coursework and research, as well as experiential learning through community service and study abroad to Africa (Egypt, Ghana and South Africa) and the Caribbean. Additionally, it seeks to build cooperative bridges for mutual support and understanding with the larger Fresno community and the surrounding communities.

For more information about the new Africana & American Indian Studies Program call 8-2832 or e-mail yoheneba@csufresno.edu