Entry 6: "Memory, Awareness, Vision"

In her presentation, Dr. Dana spoke to us about the methodology which we are supposed to be using to complete our Freshman Seminar Research assignment. Her first section was about the “Current State of Research,” and how as researchers we must ask key questions such as, “What has already been said about this topic?” “Will your research reveal something new or different?” “Can you find the answer in a reasonable amount of time?” She used their improvements in the Freshman Seminar Program as an example of how we should conduct our research; this was very informative. The panel of professors first found an issue within that current state: they did not want students to believe that their history began with slavery because that is not the case. They made suggestions on how to enlighten the students of their history before slavery. They decided to incorporated lectures into the curriculum that discuss the Ancient African World, the world of our ancestors. Dr. Carr and Dr. Dunston’s lectures were geared toward creating a “historical memory” for the students and to get an insight into their ancestors past and their theories on “speech” and “beauty;” they want the students to know that like their ancestors they have the ability to change their communities. Dr. Benjamin and Dr. Gbadegesin lectures about the “Scribes” and the “Story of Iwa” were geared to creating “awareness” within the freshman class of how the history had been institutionalized and helped create the foundation of Howard and the values which have been instilled within our race. The last part of the cycle was their “vision”: actually having the lecturers present to the students. They also introduced the concept of blog entries and the Mbongi forms to the students to receive feedback.