Some conservative intellectuals like Shelby Steele of the Hoover Institution have questioned the validity of Black studies program, arguing that they have become too activist-oriented and lack a rigorous pedegogical approach.
But Iton scoffs at such criticism.
“Scholars working in this highly interdisciplinary field have done a lot of path-breaking scholarly work in history, the humanities and the social sciences,” he says. “Academic programs are not graded on their activist commitments and African-American studies is not much different in that regard.”
Columbia University plans to expand its existing master’s program into a doctoral program within the next few years.
— By Jamal Watson
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