1991-1993 Catalog - Catalogs - West Virginia University

Part 6 Special ProgramsAfrican and African American StudiesCenter for Black CultureWilliam A. Little, Ph.D. (U.Wash.). Director and Associate Professor of Social WorkThe objective of the Center for Black Culture is to enhance the University'sknowledge of the rich heritage of people of African descent by providing a forum forcultural, educational, and social events unique to the African experience. The Centersponsors a certificate program, lectures, workshops, art exhibits, films, alumni activities,career events, tutorial services, and other activities that explore African-Americancultural forms and political issues. The Center seeks to expose students from all racial,religious, and ethnic backgrounds to research and academic experiences beyondthose found in the traditional college curricula.African and African-American Studies Certificate ProgramThe African and African -American Studies Certificate program is an interdepartmentally-supportedacademic unit within the Center for Black Culture. Approved by theWest Virginia University Faculty Senate in the spring of 1990, it is a mu ^disciplinaryprogram of study that seeks, through an Afrocentric framework, to explore key aspectsof the African world experience. The term "Afrocentric" refers to the study of Africanpeople from the points of view of the African people and those of African descentthemselves. The broad educational purpose of the certificate program is to engenderamong all students an intellectual appreciation of the contributions that African peoplehave made to world civilization.Certificate RequirementsStudents in the African and African-American Studies program are required towork with a regular advisor to complete an individualized curriculum plan. Whilereflecting a certain amount of standardization in the acquisition of core or basicelements of African and African-American knowledge, the program also encouragesflexibility between the certificate requirements and the student's own major degreerequirements.In order to receive an AAAS certificate, students must complete a total of 18 credithours, with a minimum GPA of .2.5. Requirements for the certificate include MDS 1 00Introduction to African and African-American Studies (three credits), at least threecredit hours of independent study or research in a concentration area, at least threecredit hours of a capstone seminar, and at least nine additional credit hours in aconcentration area.Students may select courses from one of three geographical areas of interest:African studies (the study of African people in Africa), African-American studies (thestudy of African people in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, and SouthAmerica) or Africana studies (a comparative examination of Africa, the Americas, and/or European/Asian African people). Students may also choose from one of severalspecific academic concentrations. No student may take more than three courses fromone prefix or department, and only the courses offered by AAAS faculty members orthose approved by the AAAS executive committee will be accepted for the certificateprogram.Application forms and further information about the African and African- AmericanStudies curriculum may be obtained from Dana Rttante, administrative assistant,Center for Black Culture, 590 Spruce Street, Morgantown, WV 26506. Telephone(304) 293-7029.290 West Virginia University