African and African American Studies Department Celebrates

The Department of African and African American Studies will celebrate its 35th year as a department at 7:00 p.m. on April 27 at the Taft Research Center. Highlight of the evening will be a lecture by John H. McClendon, associate professor of African American Studies and American Culture at Bates College. A reception will follow the program.

Top: Professor Angelene holding handbag at talk (1970). Middle: Guests at reception. Bottom: Former future mayor Dwight Tillery at department event.

Noting that it “has evolved into a comprehensive degree-granting unit,” John Brackett says his department looks toward the future with anticipation: “As we move into the new century, it will be extremely important for all of us to understand the interplay of forces that helps to structure the existence of black people. We are dedicated to the kind of research exploration that will be beneficial to students and the communities in which they live. We feel that the task of bringing about needed changes in society rests with those who are intellectually prepared.”

In conjunction with this goal, professor McClendon’s lecture will focus on “Categories, Critique, Curriculum, and Community: Revisiting African American Studies.” He will examine various categories of African American Studies, the critiques they direct at the academy and the world at large, ways to structure an African American Studies curriculum, and the relationship of the black community to African American Studies as the 21st century progresses.

The event is free and open to the public, and parking will be provided behind the Taft Research Center. Reservations should be made by contacting Nicole West at 513-556-0435 or

nicole.west@uc.edu

.