Post on 29-Mar-2016
description
interchangeThe Kennesaw State University
African and African Diaspora Studies Vol. 1 | Fall 2010
Dr. BeverlyGuy-Sheftall
Senior Scholar:Friend of AADS3 Dr. Seneca
Vaught
New Professor: In the Spotlight4 Gullah
Project
AADSNews5 Caribbean
& Africa
Study AbroadOpportunites6
Checkout out the new
AADS website:http://aads.hss.kennesaw.edu
African and African Diaspora Studiesat Kennesaw State University
interchangeFall 2010 - Spring 2011
New Professor in the Spotlight
Dr. Kenneth Williamson
Eminent Scholar:Friend of AADSDr. Beverly Guy-Sheftal
New Professor in the Spotlight
Dr. Seneca Vaught
From Hegemony to Hip-Hop
2011 AADS Conference8432
Letter from the AADS Coordinator
New Professor in the SpotlightBy Ashley-Grace Ramocan
Editor
Dr. Jesse Benjamin | AADS Coordinator
Dr. Kenneth Williamson
Starting in the summer of 2010, Ken Williamson joined the Kennesaw State University
academic community as an Assistant Professor of Anthropology jointly appointed in African and African Diaspora Studies and
the Department of Geography and Anthropology.
Before Kennesaw State, Williamson, who received his doctorate in Anthropology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2005, taught at the University of South Florida at Tampa in the Anthropology Department.
He also served previously as the head of the Institute for Community Research in Hartford, Conneticut in which he worked on community-based research projects.
Williamson finds the AADS program at Kennesaw State a unique and exciting learning environment.“I really enjoy my colleagues. I think it’s really exciting
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On behalf of African and African Diaspora Studies, welcome to our revamped, double-issue newsletter, brilliantly put together by our Graduate Assistant Ashley-Grace Ramocan.
It is filled with signs of our growth and accomplishments.We hope it excites you to get involved, or more involved - as we continue to build this vital part of the KSU community.
Inside, you will meet our two newest faculty members; hear from a leading scholar, our friend at Spelman; check out our recent Student Conference, which drew more than 500 people; learn about Study Abroad opportunities throughout the African Diaspora and the Gullah-Geechee Group; and
perhaps contemplate joining us for a class, or maybe a major or minor program of study.
Charlette is just returning from a senior semester in Ghana; Jackie returned last summer from a semester in Uganda; a whole group just returned from an AADSSO trip to Sapelo Island and the Gullah-Geechee Coast; and AADSSO [our student group] has been putting on films and events all semester, not to mention a blazin’ Spoken Word and Hip-Hop Showcase. AADS is definitely on the move.
Don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions, we’ll be glad to help -- and tell a friend...
ESminent Friend
of AADScholar
Over the course of the program’s history, Kennesaw State’s AADS program has had the
pleasure of becoming acquainted with the work of major scholars in this field. Among others, the program has had the opportunity to incorporate into its academic heritage the legendary scholarship of revolutionary thinkers in the field like Dr. Beverly Guy-Sheftall.
Specializing in African-American Women’s literature and Black Feminist Studies, Guy-Sheftall has produced and established definitive resources including Spelman College’s Women’s
Research and Resource Center, of which she is currently the director, and SAGE: A Scholarly Journal on Black Women.
Despite her busy schedule, Guy-Sheftall has found time to connect with the students and faculty of Kennesaw State Unviersity and African and African Diaspora Studies.
Within the last two years, Guy-Sheftall has served as a speaker for the 2009 AADS Conference, and separately delivered a major address on Southern, white racial politics.
Dr. Beverly Guy-Sheftall
Continued on page 5
By Ashley-Grace Ramocan | Editor
to be surrounded by people who are in different specialties, and I think the interdisciplinary energy of AADS is rich and fulfilling.”
Moreover, Williamson has confidence in the program and encourages students to join the program. “Its still an ongoing, developing program which is exciting because it gives teachers like me a chance to help shape its direction.”
He continued, “I appreciate the intellectual curiosity and enthusiasm of the AADS students. They amaze me with how well-informed they are and how willing they are to learn more.”
Continued from page 2
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Fall 2010 - Spring 2011 3
One of the newer facesat Kennesaw State,Dr. Seneca Vaught is
an Assistant Professor of History and Philosophy and African and African Diaspora Studies.
Prior to his arrival at Kennesaw State, Vaught received his doctorate in Policy History, focusing on law and the connection of law to people and the history of laws over time, from Bowling Green State University. Vaught also taught at Niagara University and SUNY Buffalo.
Although at one point he had intentions of using his history and policy studies in a courtroom as a lawyer, Vaught decided on becoming a professor after discovering his preference for teaching and research.
“I really enjoy being a professor. It promotes and allows for a sense of intellectual independence,” said Vaught.
Vaught considers himself an African-Americanist by training and completed his dissertation in African American History.
“I tend to see African
Americans as a part of African history. I am always linking Africa to African Americans in my approach and methodology. This department fits my philosophical approach” said Vaught.
Vaught is certainly impressed with the AADS program at Kennesaw State.
“It’s an ambitious curriculum The faculty has strong interest in the field and in research...Kennesaw State is a great place to be in location...in the South and nationally,” said Vaught.
A pragmatist in his approach to his academic scholarship and field work, Vaught encourages students to “think how your ideas can be
Continued on page 5
New Professor in the SpotlightBy Ashley-Grace Ramocan
Editor
Dr. Seneca Vaught
The Gullah/GeeChee Group (GGG) at Kennesaw State University works to bring knowledge to KSU about the Gullah/GeeChee culture, build community and share information, and encourage a reciprocal relationship between the University and coastal communities.
Although new on campus, the GGG is an active group that has co-sponsored an undergraduate and a
graduate panel with African and African Diaspora Studies at the annual AADS Student Conference; brought community leader, author and Saltwater GeeChee elder Mrs. Cornelia Bailey to campus; sponsored a screening of the film The Language You Cry In; and collaborated with Georgia State University colleagues in related travel to Sapelo Island and Riceboro County.
Anticipate more events in the near future sponsored by the group, including more opportunities for travel,
a series of educational events, and a fine art exhibition featuring the masterwork of Jonathan Green in the context of global Pan-African artists.
Interested students, faculty and staff are invited to join the group, which meets sporadically for discussion and information sharing, a few times each semester.
For more information on the GGG or any of the aforementioned events, contact Nikkeshia Wilson at nwilso18@kennesaw.edu.
drawn out of the abstract and into the concrete world.”
Viewing the role of AADS to address social problems and using knowledge creativley to address problems, Vaught admonishes
students of the AADS program to “think beyond education as an obstacle, and to view education as a tool...think of unique ways to apply what they’re learning.”
Gullah Project NewsNikkeshia Wilson
Guest Writer
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The following year, Guy-Sheftall spoke again at the second annual conference and also at the Walter Rodney Symposium. She also participated in this year’s conference.
Guy-Sheftall enjoys interacting with KSU’s AADS program. “I think it’s a very important program at Kennesaw. I am very pleased they have an annual converence in which students are included,” said Guy-Sheftall. Dr. Guy-Sheftall encourages AADS students to continue their study and appreciation for both new and old scholarship.
Fall 2010 - Spring 2011 5
Fall 2010 - Spring 2011 7
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From Hegemonyto Hip-Hop
Dr. Souleymane Bachir Diagne, of Columbia University, addressed a packed crowd [above and below left] during his Keynote Address “Islamic Perspectives on Toler-ance, Pluralism, and Secularism,” while Dean Richard Vengroff and others listened [below right].
All photos by Justin Hadley
3rd Annual AADS Student Conference
Fall 2010 - Spring 2011 9
Dr. Beverly Guy-Sheftall [far right] and Dr. Jesse Benjamin [far left] flank Spelman Student Activism Panelists [L to R]: Moya Bai-ley, JeShawna Wholley, Sora-ya Watkins and friend. Dr. Cherif Diop and Dr. Diagne [below left] and Dr. Seneca Vaught [below right] address panels later in the day.
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Brittny Gilliard, Chris Jacobs, Sophia Brimm and Alex-is Whitehead [Above, L to R] speak on the Student Lead-ership Panel during the Caribbean Buffet Dinner, spon-sored by AASA, and answer audience questions [below].
11Fall 2010 - Spring 2011
Dr. Flores signs books for audience members, including Drs. Ernesto Silva and Neysa Figueroa of Latin American and La-tino Studies [LALS] and Dr. Benjamin of AADS [above L to R], whose programs collaborated on this inaugural Afro-Latino event.
Dr. Juan Flores [right], of New York University, addresses a packed crowd [Below left] during his Keynote Address titled: “Roots of Salsa and Beyond: Afro-Latin@ Musical Lineages and Linkages.”
Jesse Benjamin Coordinator Assoc. Professor of SociologyRoxanne DonovanAsst. CoordinaorAsst. Professorof PsychologyAkanmu AdebayoProfessor of HistoryNurudeen Akinyemi Associate Professorof Political ScienceWilliam AllenAssociate Professor of HistoryJudy Brown-AllenLecturer of SociologyOmar DiopAssistant Professor of SociologyBrandon LundyAssistant Professorof AnthropologyTammy PowellAssociate Professor of EnglishGarrett SmithAssociate Professorof GeographyGriselda ThomasAssistant Professor of EnglishEva ThompsonAssociate Professor of EnglishKay TrailleAssistant Professor of History andHistory EducationSeneca VaughtAssociate Professor of HistoryLucie Viakinnou-BrinsonAssistant Professor of FrenchKenneth WilliamsonAssistant Professor of Anthropology
And numerous “interested faculty.”
http://aads.hss.kennesaw.edu
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