8 The Compass Wednesday, March 24,1993
ECSU's new course in black writing
teaches 'self-knowledge, awareness'
By Jody Riddick
For the first time in 17 years, a Black
writers class ir\ American Litera
ture is being taught at ECSU. The
class. Black Writers in American literature,
has been included in the University's
catalog since 1976, but due to low student
demcind and the hectic teaching load of
professors the class had not been taught
since then, according to Dr. Glenda
Griffen, instructor for the class.
Dr. Linda Callahan, Acting Qiair of the
Department of Language, Literature &
Communication said she decided to offer
the class this semester after an instructor
in the department expressed the need for
the course.
"A few students asked for the course as
well," said Callahan. "I felt it should be
offered since this is an African American
school."
The class's objective "is to give the stu
dents an overview of past events in Black
American Literature such as the writers,
times, circumstaiKes, people and build
up to the present day," said Griffin, cm
associate professor in the Department of
Language, Literature & Commurucation.
Dr. Griffin said the class is a very valu
able and important class because it will
help develop students' own self-knowl
edge and awareness.
"It seems that the students we're get
ting at this University come here with a
lackofknowledgeofUterature written by
blacks," she said. "Many students are
familiar with the more popular writers
suchas Alex Haley becauseof Roofs, which
Dr. Glenda Griff enteaches herUack writer’s
dass in Johnson Hall. Griffen, an associate
professor in the Department of Language,
Literature & Communication, also serves as
advisor to The Viking Yeartx)ok.
they have seen on television."
Griffen added that mcmy students lack
knowledge about black vmters who have
made a mark in the literary history of this
country. "It is important that they learn
aboutthesewriters,"shecontinued. "The
more they can leam about those who are
like them, the better they can evaluate
their own potential, not only in writing
literature, but in achieving goals in life, as
well."
Learning about black vmters will help
students understand more about them
selves, said Griffen, "and cany on the
history of their people by way of their
people's literature."
Griffen said her black writers class has
"a different structure," because it is de
signed by the students and instructor
"The students are hungry for
knowledge...about black writ
ers in American Literature."
Dr. Glenda Griffen
together.
"We sat dovm as a class trying to de
sign the course," said Griffen, adding
that students had a voice in selecting the
writers to be studied.Those writers in-
cludedrannatistsAugust Wilson, Lorraine
Hansbury and Ossie Davis, and prose
writers Richard Wright and Terri
McMillian.
"We had difficulty getting a text for the
class because the textbook used seven
teen years ago is now out of print," said
Griffen. "So we had to find a new book
for theclass—Breakinglce, edited by Terry
McMillian. This particular text is very
modem and I felt that this was important
because many of the students in the class
recognized the names of many authors
listed in the book."
Griffen said she and the students de
signed a dass with a tight structure that
would meet the need of the students.
"Once we have completed nwst of the
class,we'll be able to see if all the things
we thought to be important were truly
important," she added. "I see this class as
something special we're deagning for
the future of those who are to come after
us and I'm hoping that the students who
are now enrolled in the class see it the
same way."
Griffen said there is so much material
to cover "we need two semesters to study
it all."
Griffin has been pleased so far with (he
studentsintheBlackWritersclass. 'Ifind
that the students are enthusiatic about
the class and that they are hungry forthe
knowledge in relation to understanding
and wanting to know more about black
vmters in American Literature."
Students enrolled in the coursesay they
find the class exciting and fun.
"The black writers' class has been vay
interesting and I'm looking forward to
exploring more works by my brothers
and sisters," said Ayanna Dorsey, a jun
ior English major.
English major Lavenia Damersonsaid
the black vmters class is the only litera
ture course at ECSU that has sparked he
interest.
"I feel very comfortable reading about
experiences that are common in my life,"
said Dameron. 'Tor example, black writ
ers talk about things like spirituality,be
ing poor, and eating pigfeet and coUard
greens. They also write about popular
expressions that are common only in the
black community and black folk tales
They write aboutconditionsthatl'velived
in and about people named "^unebug."
Dameron said at first she hesitated in
taking the class because it was offered so
late in the afternoon (four p.m.), "butnow
I understand how important it is to read
about things I can relate to, espeaallyifi
am a productive black writer. I encour
age other students to sacrifice those Fri
day afternoons and get in touch vm
themselves through black literature.
ECSU's new TV station to op©n by summGr
By Pamela Tolson
By midsummer, ECSU's television sta
tion will open in the University's tele
communications building, according to
Dr. Royd Robinson, project coordinator.
The television station will be funded by
the federal government imder Title 3;
however, it hasn't been determined how
much the station willcost, Robinson said.
"The tdevisionstation will pro videedu-
cational capabilites for students," said
Robinson, "aixl it will allow students to
leam how a station operates."
Students will "play the same role" at
the tv station as they now do at the radio
station, said Robinson, working on pro-
greimming, production and on-air narra
tion.
"Hopefully, the station wall become a
publicprogramlikePBSonchaimel two,"
Robinson said. The television station will
Tm pleased that they are finally taking communication
students into consideration in planning thefiiture of ECSU ”
Evonne Martyn
English major Evonne Martyn said she
too, was happy with the new station.
Tm pleased that they are finally tak-
mgcommunication students into consid
eration in planning the future of ECSU,"
Martyn said.
"I think it's important to communica-
an students because thp
also cover athletic events.
The television station has been a Mass
Commimication project since 1983. Ac
cording to Robinson, the radio station,
WRVS, was first on the project agenda'
which now has 41,000 watts. The music
recording studio was second, and the
television station was third.
Students at ECSU say they are excited
about the new television statioit
'Tm happy the television station will
be here before I graduate, because it vnll
give me an opportunity to broaden my
communication skills," said English/
News Media major Lavenia Dameron.
. , ,u lu pos aner they graduate,"
^^elanieHarrington,anotherEngU^
'The curriculum for communications
stud^ts^U expand and allow shidents
to ^advantage of the new facilities,"
Dr. L^a Cdiah^, Chairperson of
Language, Literature, and Commuruffl
tions. "I hope one or two new
members might come on board to tea
courses related to the television station.
Broadcast Journalism class will pfO"
vide exposure to the television station^®
well the radio station, said Callahan.
television station may do live
such as sporting events, bai«i pen®
mances or choir performances, she
The television station will have
editingrooms,astudio,andcontrolroo
according to Robinson.
The next project on the list is ^
Conununicationsand Fine Artsbu
Construction wall begin this ye^; j
The proposed $7 million
house the Art Department, Depar®\
of Language, Literature and
cation as well as a television an
station. It will be located west o
Administration Buildii^- ^