African Studies Mission Statement

We are committed to being one of the nation's leading programs for the interdisciplinary study of Africa. Our diverse research, teaching, and outreach activities promote greater understanding and appreciation of the continent and its people. We also promote the study of Africa in global perspective by building bridges with other area-studies programs, international centers, professional schools, and departments inside and outside Indiana University. All of our activities are conducted in accord with our values stressing integrity, excellence, diversity, community, collaboration, and creativity.

Goal 1: Research
To promote cutting-edge research on Africa in the humanities, languages, arts, social sciences, and professional schools. This includes facilitating Africa-related collections and activities in museums, libraries, music archives, institutes, and related programs.

Goal 2: Teaching
To promote graduate and undergraduate education in a positive learning environment. At the graduate level we provide high-quality instruction, facilitate student research experience in Africa, encourage faculty-student collaboration, and prepare students for entry into their professional fields. At the undergraduate level we teach a variety of African languages and numerous social science and humanities courses related to Africa, expose students to life on the continent through classroom and other activities, and strongly encourage the study of Africa.

Goal 3: Exchanges
To promote the exchange of students, faculty, and materials between the U.S. and Africa. Exchange programs are an essential research, teaching, and learning experience. To this end, we endeavor to maintain our existing linkages and to establish as many new linkages as possible with African universities and organizations. We also strive to recruit African faculty and students to our Program.

Goal 4: Outreach
To promote outreach activities to schools, colleges, and universities, as well as to communities, not-for-profit institutions, businesses, and other groups. An important part of our educational mission is to teach Africa-related topics to non-university communities. We also incorporate various resources into our outreach program, including books, literature, films, cultural materials, and online services.

Goal 5: Technology
To promote the development of new resources and technologies for teaching and researching Africa, including CD-ROMS, web sites, internet capabilities, interactive instruction (e.g., video conferencing), film and print media, and library online services. We also engage in collaborative activities with other universities and institutions to share resources, for example, through interactive teaching.

Goal 6: Enrichment
To promote cultural, artistic, musical, and other activities related to Africa that lead to personal, community, or institutional enrichment. Part of this effort entails attracting national and international exhibits, performances, and artists to Indiana University. The university and larger community benefit enormously from such activities.

top