Walter Sistrunk made his preparations to leave MSU.
That was until MSU’s pioneer doctoral program in African-American and African studies, new this semester, beckoned him to stay.
“These are the kinds of programs people are hungry for,” the doctoral student said. “But they just don’t know it until it’s available.”
The program focuses on the social, cultural and political experience of black individuals in the United States, Africa and elsewhere.
Sistrunk is one of two students enrolled in the program for the fall semester. Faculty are sifting through about 20 applications from MSU and around the world in an attempt to invite about four more scholars into the program.
The introduction of the program puts the university in good company - only five similar doctoral degrees exist in the nation at institutions such as Harvard University and Yale University. MSU hosts the only one in the Big Ten.
“We think that MSU is uniquely positioned to make its mark in this growing field,” said Curtis Stokes, director of the program and associate professor in James Madison College.
More than four years in the making, the program was approved last February and is housed in the College of Arts and Letters.
“It should appeal to students across the disciplines,” Stokes said.
Since the program is an interdepartmental effort, the program “draws upon faculty from disciplines throughout the university,” he added.
Collaboration among colleges is exactly what officials had in mind when designing the program, Provost Lou Anna Simon said.
“We advised and counseled on putting together the programs across colleges in a very interdisciplinary manner,” Simon said.
An innovative approach to the program gives it the academic “potential to be world-class,” she said. “It’s really very unique.”
Darlene Clark Hine, a history professor and member of the department’s executive committee, said students in the program will benefit from the wide range of specializations.
“It helps to sharpen your thinking and critical analysis of events,” she said. “And we all benefit from the dialogue.”
Hine is one of about 12 professors in the program, and will be a guest lecturer at the first introductory course.
As an extension of the doctoral program, research will be published by MSU Press, which is launching a book series titled “Black American and Diasporic Studies.”
The MSU Press expects to publish the first of 20 possible volumes in early 2003. The books will feature research and scholarship involving the black experience in the United States, Africa and other regions.
Subjects will include anything from 19th century New England works to contemporary pieces, MSU Press’ Assistant Director Julie Loehr said.
“I think that any publication with the strengths of the university will add a global dimension,” she said.
Tara May can be reached at maytara@msu.edu.
