The University of Rhode Island’s Africana studies department features a diverse curriculum with a wide variety of courses that allow students to explore topics involving the African diaspora, civil rights movement, race and ethnic relations and African governments.
Previously named the African-American Studies Department, Africana studies focuses on the history, culture, politics and economics of people of African origin, specifically those coming from the United States, Africa, the Caribbean, Central and South America.
Vanessa Quainoo, an associate professor of communication studies and department chair of Africana studies, said that one of the first initiatives she took over as head chairperson 10 years ago was changing the name to be more inclusive.
“The first thing I did was challenge the name,” she said. “It was too limiting. I felt that Africana studies was a gem, a diamond in the rough that was so covered by oppressive thinking, by colonial thinking. ‘Oh, it’s just a small little group of Black people over in the corner talking about Black power doing their little thing’ … That seemed to be the prevailing attitude.”
After writing numerous letters to the dean, president, provost and other chairpersons, Quainoo’s efforts were successful and the department was renamed “Africana studies.”
“I just got busy sending out information saying we should read this nomenclature of the minority,” she said. “We are not minorities and we should make this department one that embraces the global perspective of Black and brown people on the earth. From there, we never looked back.”
According to Quainoo, Africana studies not only offers many different interdisciplinary programs and classes emphasizing African history, literature and religion, but also offers courses on more contemporary topics. AAF230: Black Lives Matter Movement and AAF228: Institutional Racism are two of the department’s classes that fill up the fastest each semester.
“I think it is the most exciting curriculum on campus,” Quainoo said. “We are doing relevant work and we are addressing the issues that students want to know about.”
Shanette Harris, an associate professor of psychology and Africana studies, believes that there is not one specific career field that students majoring or minoring in this curriculum have to follow and that there are no limits to what students can pursue.
“There is no one answer: ‘What could you not do?’ would be an easier question to think about,” Harris said. “There are always going to be benefits from having a major or a minor in Africana studies on your record, and many employers will view that as a positive.”
Harris also encourages students to take courses that will strengthen their minds and viewpoints on topics relating to race, throughout their time in college.
“To me, college should be more than just going to get a job, becoming educated is important,” Harris said. “Become educated to learn about the world that we are creating,”
Quainoo also argued that employers are now looking to hire graduates that are culturally competent, who can function in a diverse workplace without issue.
“Africana studies is a sure way to document on your resume that as a student, you’ve taken the time to become competent and to broaden your perspective, to be able to connect across cultures,” she said. “It’s a global certification that shows you can function within a global community.”
The Africana studies department, in collaboration with URI’s Multicultural Student Services Center, will be hosting a virtual presentation on Feb. 24 hosted by Professor Carolyn Parks on the impact of COVID-19 on the Black community. The event, along with others hosted throughout Black History Month, will feature distinguished alumni of the Africana studies department at URI.