Information Sections
Statement from the Director
I would like to offer greetings from my desk as the new Director of the African American Studies Program at the University of Houston. The transition to the Lone Star State has been positive, and we look forward to the formation and advancement of African American Studies (i.e., use of terms, Africana Studies and Africology, are used interchangeably) at the University of Houston.
Proffering a historical context, the movement for the organizational
structure of African American Studies on the UH campus began in the
spring of 1968. Indeed, as a sign of the times, protest and social
activities were important features of advancing societal change during
the Black Freedom Movement of the 1960s.
Now approaching a 35th anniversary, there has been a renewed initiative
from students, faculty, and administration to facilitate African
American Studies' advancement from a program to an autonomous
departmental unit. A Department of Africana Studies at the University
of Houston would entail a number of significant firsts. With the vision
of departmental status, African American Studies at the University of
Houston would exist as the first and only departmental unit in the
southwestern region of the United States and, equally important, the
state of Texas.
Further, the existence of an Africana Studies department would provide University of Houston students the unprecedented opportunity to earn both undergraduate and graduate degrees in this specified field of study. On the national and international scene, there has been debate and discussion concerning the validity and existence of Africological Studies. Detractors continuously posit ideas of the irrelevance and stature of the discipline. On the other hand, those committed scholars in the discipline of Africology have maintained defending, preserving, and advancing this interdisciplinary African-centered study of Africana phenomena.
Accordingly, the publication of books, monographs, articles, and the development of scholarly journals have anchored this holistic movement. Still, the challenges of enhancing and advancing theory, methodology, and praxis are critical to the prioritization and mission of Africana Studies. Certainly, my vision and mission for the unit, along with the support and input from members of the campus and external community, is to build and develop a nationally visible department of African American Studies at the University of Houston. Some readers could envision this task to be ambitious. On the other hand, the advancement of the University of Houston as a tier one research university establishes a lexicon and barometer for academic units to prioritize research, teaching, and service.
African American Studies shares these responsibilities and duties in
fulfilling its objectives and vision as an academic unit of the
university. Furthermore, there are various resources throughout the
Houston community to support and sustain applied research projects with
emphasis on Africana phenomena. Likewise, with a committed staff and
active student body, an African American Studies program will continue
with a charge and vision to prioritize research and undergraduate
education at the University of Houston.
Last, I welcome all of you to visit the new office suite of the African
American Studies Program at 629 Agnes Arnold Hall. I also welcome you
in joining us in the important and pioneering work of developing and
building the first departmental academic structure in African American
Studies in the state of Texas and the southwest region that is
dedicated to the research, teaching, writing, and service of Africana
phenomena.
James L. Conyers, Jr., Ph.D.
Director of African American Studies Program
University Professor of African American Studies
University of Houston
