Teaming Up: Creating Community and Building African-American Studies in a Texas University

• In Event: Faculty Development Practices to Improve Diversity and Inclusion

Abstract

This paper explores the integration of interdisciplinary approaches into African-American Studies programs to enhance student learning and knowledge conceptions. Many programs currently rely on joint faculty appointments and cross-listed courses, which fail to foster a comprehensive understanding of African-American life and culture. This paper presents a pedagogical experiment at a Texas university, where team teaching by professors from diverse disciplines is used to teach an African-American Studies course. The study examines how this approach impacts student learning and perceptions of knowledge. Preliminary findings reveal that team-teaching fosters engagement and collaboration, promoting deeper understanding among students. Moreover, it provides much-needed support for minoritized faculty. The paper advocates for the adoption of team-teaching and interdisciplinary methods to strengthen African-American Studies programs nationwide.

Author

• Jasmine Harris, Metropolitan State University of Denver