Afro-Am Faces Abscence of Stars

Amma Y. Ghartey-Tagoe '01 likens Afro-American Studies 10: "Introduction to Afro-American Studies" to a religious experience.

"[Af-Am 10] isn't a class, it's like attending church on a Sunday morning," Ghartey-Tagoe says. "I was sitting in the front row going 'mm-hmmmm' and 'amen' to everything [Fletcher University] Professor [Cornel] West '74 was saying."

West's lecturing style has gained such a following, in fact, that numerous first-years say they have been advised to sit in on the class even if they are not enrolled.

But West's unexpected one-year leave of absence for personal and medical reasons, and other absences in the Afro-American studies department have left students with fewer options this semester.

Missing in Action

West's absence and the subsequent reworking of the course have led to smaller enrollment figures for Af-Am 10, which is being offered this semester by Professor of Afro-American Studies and Philosophy K. Anthony Appiah.

Af-Am 10 was not offered last semester because the department did not know of West's sickness until late summer. Students were actually informed of the cancellation as they were waiting for class to begin during fall shopping period.

While Appiah is running the course this semester, he says other department members will guest lecture in an attempt to both introduce students to the material and to the department.

Guest-lecturers will include Professor of Sociology and Afro-American Studies Lawrence D. Bobo, Evelyn B. Higginbotham, professor of history and Afro-American studies and Geyser University Professor William Julius Wilson.

Du Bois Professor of the Humanities Henry Louis Gates, Jr., who was on leave fall semester for medical reasons, will also lecture although his own courses have been cancelled.

But students like Onyechi T. Ezekwueche '04, who first heard West lecture when he followed his older sister to class during a college visit, say they will wait for West's return before taking the course despite its being offered this semester.

"[West] has a really engaging personality and I think that's the basic reason a lot of people, including me, are holding out on taking the class," Ezekwueche says.

Gerald Demas '04 also cites West's charisma, in addition to his prominence, as reasons for waiting for West's return.

"The Af-Am class is to me a class taught by Cornel West," Demas says. "I've heard [West] is a fantastically motivated person and he's one of the leading African-American philosophers in this country at this time."

The course had an enrollment of 314 undergraduates when it was last offered in the fall of 1999 but will have a "much smaller" enrollment this semester, says Appiah.

Although course assignments have not been made for the coming year, Appiah says there is a "good chance" that West will resume teaching "Af-Am 10" in the fall.

"Af-Am 10" is being offered Mondays and Wednesdays from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Afro-American studies department seminar room.

Side Benefits

Appiah acknowledges the loss faced by students and the Afro-American studies department because, in addition to West, Gates will not be teaching this semester.

"It is obviously sad for our offerings when either [Gates or West] isn't able to teach, but we struggle on," Appiah says.

Ghartey-Tagoe says she cannot take many of the classes she had planned on taking because of absent professors, but says their absence can be made into a positive situation by focusing on the resources of the department as a whole.

"Students who take Af-Am 10 with Appiah are being exposed to one of the most brilliant minds--he's smarter than the entire campus," Ghartey-Tagoe says.

She adds that the absence of West has led to relationships with other Faculty that might not otherwise have existed.

"While I'm wondering 'Where are my professors and why are you leaving me stranded,' because Professor West isn't here, I've been interacting a lot more with Professor Higginbotham, who's the only tenured, black, woman professor here," Ghartey-Tagoe says.

Gates is expected to resume teaching next fall.