Black Studies Department
Black Studies is an interdisciplinary major (a minor is available) comprised of courses from the departments of Communication, English, History, Political Science, and Sociology.
The mission of the Black Studies degree at SVSU is to provide a cross-disciplinary examination of historical and contemporary African and African American agency. This examination seeks to develop the intellectual, creative, and analytical skills of those engaged in the Black Studies program. At its root this degree is grounded culturally in the African Diaspora and advances academic excellence and social responsibility.
Why SVSU?
According to activist-scholar Dr. Maulana Karenga, “Black Studies is the critical and systematic study of the thought and practice of African people in their current and historical unfolding” (Karenga, 2002). The scope of our examination includes the whole of the African Diaspora i.e. the examination of Africans dispersed throughout the world. Particular emphasis is placed on the study of agency, “the capacity and will to act.” It is similarly the goal of the critical study and analysis of African and African American agency to awaken the agency and consciousness of those engaged in the Black Studies program at SVSU. Therefore, this degree complements majors in all degrees providing students the tools needed to succeed in our diverse world.
As a cross-disciplinary degree Black Studies provides the breadth necessary to examine, analyze, and interpret the complexities of African and African American agency. The Black Studies degree at Saginaw Valley State University builds and strengthens preexisting yet often informal relations between students, faculty, staff, and the community.
In addition to its objectives, the Black Studies degree at Saginaw Valley State University emphasizes three areas of development:
- Intellectual growth and consciousness through instruction and thoughtful analysis of resources
- Scholarly inquiry and production which demonstrates knowledge, creativity, and analysis
- Implementation, demonstration, sharing, cooperation, responsibility, and leadership within the community
These three areas of development are in keeping with and reflect the three areas of focus for the larger mission of the Black Studies discipline: cultural grounding; academic excellence; social responsibility. (Karenga, 2002)
Introduced by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966, Kwanzaa is rooted in African first-fruits celebrations. Kwanzaa celebrates the Seven Principles of the Nguzo Saba – Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity), and Imani (faith).
SVSU was excited to host its annual Kwanzaa celebration Thursday, December 1, 2022! The celebration was supported by SVSU’s Black Studies Program, The Office of Diversity Programs, The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, and the Organization of Black Unity.
Black at SVSU
Originating as a project of the first class of SVSU’s Black Studies program in 2008, Black at SVSU has become a premier annual University-wide program. This African American cultural celebration features performances and presentations celebrating African American leadership and history. Themes of the annual event include “Honoring Our Martyrs, Fulfilling Their Vision”; “Sankofa: Looking to Our Past”; “Black Consciousness”; “Back to the Movement”; “An Africana Cultural Celebration”; “Exploring the Arts”; “Challenging Stereotypes: Celebrating African American Culture”; “Lift Every Voice: Hidden Figures, Acknowledging Hidden Gems in History”; and “Kawaida: Celebrating Africa-Centered Life. The theme for Black at SVSU 2022, was “Umoja” and featured a fashion show with local designers, entrepreneurs, and performers.
Black at SVSU Past Events
Black Studies Faculty
Program Contact
Jolly, Kenneth
Associate Professor of History
Department of History
Brown Hall 335
(989) 964-2083
kjolly@svsu.edu
Doctor of Philosophy
Faculty
Dallas, Fenobia I.
Associate Professor Rhetoric & Professional Writing
Rhetoric and Professional Writing
Zahnow Library 219
(989) 964-4627
fidallas@svsu.edu
Doctor of Philosophy; Master of Arts; Bachelor of Arts
Gardner, Eric
Professor of English
Department of English
Brown Hall 317
(989) 964-4037
gardner@svsu.edu
Doctor of Philosophy
Hinton, Dawn
Associate Professor of Sociology
Department of Sociology
Education Building-North Wing 265
(989) 964-7034
hinton@svsu.edu
Doctor of Philosophy; Bachelor of Arts
Lane, Robert W.
Professor of Political Science
Department of Political Science
Education Building-North Wing 211
(989) 964-4366
rwlane@svsu.edu
Doctor of Philosophy
Youngstedt, Scott
Professor of Sociology
Department of Sociology
Education Building-North Wing 272
(989) 964-4288
smy@svsu.edu
Doctor of Philosophy
Black Studies Major and Minor Curriculum
Join the Black Studies Research Team!
Have an idea for an independent research project or interested in working as a research assistant with Black Studies faculty?
Within its mission, Black Studies emphasizes scholarly inquiry and production which demonstrates and applies knowledge, creativity, and analysis. In Introduction to Black Studies, Maulana Karenga states, “… the commitment to learning is based on the conception of knowledge which values knowledge not simply for knowledge sake, but rather knowledge for human sake. ln a word, knowledge is considered important not simply to enjoy oneself or even simply get a job, but because of its value and role in improving the human condition and enhancing the human prospect or human future.” (Karenga, Introduction to Black Studies, 7-8) Key to this mission is the demonstration, application, and implementation of knowledge.
The Black Studies Research Team supports research projects that reflect this focus and mission.
To join the Black Studies Research Team and for additional information and opportunities for research, contact Dr. Jolly, Black Studies Chairperson, kjolly@svsu.edu
History of Black Studies
The field or discipline of Black Studies developed in the academy out of the political struggles and liberation movements of the 1960s. The first Black Studies program and independent department was established at San Francisco State University in 1968. Quickly Black Studies programs were established in the Nation’s leading institutions and today there are 311 degree granting institutions in the general field of Black Studies with:
- Nine institutions granting doctoral degrees
- 21 institutions granting master’s degrees
- 158 institutions granting major degrees
- 89 institutions granting minor degrees.
(“Africana Studies in the US,” Abdul Alkalimat, March 2007, available at www.eblackstudies.org)
Echoing the 1960s generation of students responsible for the formal creation of the Black Studies discipline in the academy, Saginaw Valley students initiated the development of our Black Studies degree in spring 2006 which was unanimously ratified to the curriculum winter 2007.