Reimagining African American Studies

FAIN: AA-295655-24

Illinois College (Jacksonville, IL 62650-2299)
Brittney Yancy (Project Director: May 2023 to present)

A three-year project to revise an African American studies program.

Reimagining African American Studies at Illinois College will expand African American Studies through a public humanities approach, increase faculty expertise, develop curriculum, and improve community engagement. Project objectives include: (1) engaging at least 15 faculty members in two summer curriculum development institutes; (2) substantially revising or creating eight courses for the African American Studies minor that will also meet general education requirements; (3) creating at least seven humanities-focused African American Studies curriculum modules for use in non-humanities courses, especially in pre-professional disciplines; (4) supporting six undergraduates in a new community-based humanities internship at the new Jacksonville African American Museum; and (5) launching a half-day, annual Sankofa Symposium focused on African American history and culture. Dr. Brittney Yancy, assistant professor of history and African American Studies, will serve as the project director.