Two areas of interdisciplinary studies initiatives, Middle East studies and African studies, have made advances since the last issue of Inside FDU on the Web.

In May, under the direction of Riad Nasser, sociology (Flor), and Leonard Grob, philosophy (Metro), Middle East studies took another step forward with a luncheon and panel discussion at the Metropolitan Campus.

Approximately 35 students and faculty members convened to enjoy a meal of Middle Eastern food. Toward the close of the luncheon, Elise Salem, associate provost for global learning (Flor/Metro) and English (Flor), and Nasser spoke about the initiative in Middle East studies, alerting both faculty and students to what is to come. Then, three presentations and an open discussion on the theme “Islam: A Religion Under Fire” followed.

Ibrahim Abdul-Malik, English/philosophy/humanities (Metro), an imam and author of several books on Islam, titled his talk “And the Koran Says ...” Mehmet Kalyoncu, a graduate student at Georgetown University and author of several articles in interreligious dialogue and ethnoreligious politics, asked “Is Islam the Very Solution to Problems in the Middle East?” Azly Rahman, University College (Metro), who has taught courses on the history of the Middle East and religions of the world, addressed the question “Is Islam Under Fire?”

Left photo: Leonard Grob, left, philosophy (Metro), and Azly Rahman, history/political and international studies and education (Metro). Right photo: Ibrahim Abdul-Malik, left, general secretary, Imans Council of New York, and English/philosophy/humanities (Metro), and Mehmet Kalyoncu, Eurasian/Russian/East European studies, Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University.

Grob reported, “A spirited discussion followed the three presentations. Indeed, we went beyond our allotted time for the event, and students and faculty members continued the dialogue informally after the close of session. We believe we have sparked substantial interest in our initiative in general and in the minor in Middle East studies in particular.” The minor will be offered in spring 2007. The event was sponsored by the Office of Global Learning.

In an effort to promote and sustain the growth of African studies at FDU, the new program in African studies, led by Bamidele Ojo, political science (Metro), hosted a faculty development workshop in June. The workshop, supported by the offices of the president, University provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, global learning, Metropolitan Campus provost and the Becton College dean (Flor), encouraged 16 members of the program’s advisory committee to brainstorm on the program and the proposal for a new Center for African Studies.

The summer workshop was facilitated by Jim Delehanty, associate director of the African studies program at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. With more than 15 years of experience with the African studies program at the University of Wisconsin, Delehanty led the first day of the workshop, providing the insight and tools for examining the prospects for African studies at FDU on the second day.

With the help of faculty from all academic units of the University in addition to individuals from the library, grants and sponsored projects, corporate relations and enrollment services, the program’s new minor in African studies is being offered this fall.

September 2006

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Flor =
College at Florham, Madison, N.J.

Metro =
Metropolitan Campus, Teaneck, N.J.

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