Medgar Evers College Art History Faculty: A Comprehensive Overview
Medgar Evers College, a senior college of the City University of New York (CUNY) established in 1970 in central Brooklyn, is divided into four schools: the School of Business, the School of Professional and Community Development, the School of Liberal Arts and Education, and the School of Science, Health, and Technology. Among these, the School of Liberal Arts and Education plays a significant role, housing departments such as Social and Behavioral Sciences, which introduces students to cultures and societies around the world, and Mass Communications. Within this academic structure, the art history faculty plays a crucial role in shaping the artistic and cultural understanding of students.
The Role of Art History Faculty
The art history faculty at Medgar Evers College is primarily housed within the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences. This multidisciplinary department offers courses in Anthropology, Geography, History, Sociology, Political Science, and social science. The integration of art history within this broader context allows students to understand art as a product of cultural, historical, and social forces.
The faculty's mission is to provide students with a solid foundation in both traditional and modern media and performing arts. The faculty profiles are diverse, with expertise ranging from Nile Valley cultures to electronic arts and media. This diversity allows for a comprehensive approach to teaching art history, incorporating various perspectives and methodologies.
Faculty Expertise and Diversity
The Department boasts ten full-time faculty members, with five holding terminal degrees and five holding Master of Arts degrees. Among the faculty with expertise in the Arts and Media, there is a wide array of specializations, including:
- Nile Valley Cultures: An expert in Egypt, Nubia, and Ethiopia, with publications in the field, also specializing in world art history, painting, graphic arts, videography (with several published documentaries), still photography, and digital communication.
- Dance: A member who is an expert in many genres of dance as well as its history and dance choreography.
- Electronic Arts and Media: A faculty member who is prolific in Electronic Arts and Media.
- Theater Arts: A multidisciplinary Theater Arts scholar.
- Music: An expert musical scholar in conducting, music history and theory, and other areas of applied music.
In addition to the full-time faculty, there are also lecturers who contribute their expertise, including concert flutists, a speech theater expert, a Jazz ensemble specialist, choral directors, experts in applied music, music history and theory, and a computer graphics and design practitioner.
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Curriculum and Programs
The Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences offers an Associate of Art (AA) in Liberal Arts and a Bachelor of Art (BA) in Liberal Studies degrees. These programs provide students with the opportunity to:
- Think critically about the histories and geographies of cultures and societies, both in the United States and around the world.
- Gain a solid foundation in the techniques of both traditional and modern Media and the Performing Arts.
- Prepare for entry-level positions and graduate education in the social sciences, as well as for careers in related fields like education and law.
The art history courses within these programs cover a wide range of topics, from ancient civilizations to contemporary art. Students learn about different artistic styles, movements, and techniques, as well as the social, political, and cultural contexts in which art is created.
Challenges Faced by Adjunct Faculty
The reliance on adjunct faculty is a significant issue at CUNY, including Medgar Evers College. Adjuncts often face job insecurity, low pay, and a lack of benefits. One former adjunct art history professor at Medgar Evers College shared their experience of teaching thousands of students over 11 years, only to be abruptly terminated and left without healthcare during a pandemic. This situation is not uncommon for adjuncts at CUNY, who often need to hold multiple jobs to make ends meet.
Furthermore, the increasing class sizes in online courses pose a challenge for both students and instructors. With online class sizes reaching up to 42 students at Medgar Evers, it becomes difficult for instructors to provide individualized attention and for students to engage effectively with the material.
Student Perspectives
Student feedback on art history professors at Medgar Evers College is mixed. Some students praise the professors' passion for art and their ability to make the subject matter interesting and informative. Others express concerns about teaching styles, clarity, and the workload.
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Here are some examples of student feedback:
- "I found the class to be interesting and informative. I really loved completing the projects and exploring art in my own backyard. I truly admire the passion that Prof. Dupree has for Art. She's an amazing artist herself."
- "She is just all over the place. However, she knows her stuff and it quite helpful."
- "She is one annoying teacher. She is never clear about anything."
- "The class is not challenging; Dupree is! Something is mentally wrong with her!"
These diverse perspectives highlight the importance of ongoing evaluation and improvement of teaching methods to meet the needs of all students.
Medgar Evers College: An Overview
Medgar Evers College is located in four buildings:
- 1150 Carroll Street: A four-story, 152,000 square feet building originally built as the Brooklyn Preparatory School in 1908.
- 1650 Bedford Avenue: A three-story, 130,000 square feet building completed in 1988.
- The School of Business and Student Support Services Building, 1637 Bedford Avenue: A three-story, 44,950 square feet building.
- The new Academic Building: Houses the sciences, a new cafeteria, and the Edison O. Jackson auditorium.
The college offers baccalaureate and associate degrees in several disciplines, as well as a Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) certificate program. The School of Business is accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) and a member of the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA).
Academic Centers and Resources
Medgar Evers College also houses several academic centers that support scholarships and services to the residents of Central Brooklyn and the greater New York area. These centers contribute to the college's mission of serving its community and promoting academic excellence. The college also operates several external programs and associated centers such as the Male Development and Empowerment Center, the Center for Women's Development, the Center for Black Literature, and the DuBois Bunche Center for Public Policy.
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