My courses in African American Studies (typically cross-listed with either Religion or Art History) culminate with project-based assignments that encourage students to delve more deeply into research for their final project and participate in their own knowledge production. Such projects also offer opportunities for students to engage with the digital humanities. In my art history classes, this has meant incorporating trusted methods of formal visual analysis in art study as well as the creation of digital museum exhibitions. In my religion classes, I train students to conduct ethnographic research with religious devotees and develop skills with video/audio editing software to create short form videos on Tiktok that highlight misconceptions and truths about lived religious experience. The class Instagram account thus dynamically archives these students’ analyses of African and African Diaspora religion and art.
Dr. Kyrah Malika Daniels (African American Studies Department)