Provost Valentine James (kneeling) talks about his African art. Cathie Joslyn is kneeling at left front.

           Students from two Clarion University classes had the unusual opportunity to view some African art close up and meet one of their administrators at the same time.

            Dr. Valentine James, Clarion University Provost and Academic Vice President, hosted two classes of students at his home. The Nigerian born and raised James, shared his African art collection with the class and explained some anecdotes about growing up in Nigeria.

            "They will never forget this day," said Cathie Joslyn, professor of art. "To be invited to an administrator's home is very special. This is what college should be all about, special experiences that you never forget. Dr. James had set up a very special display of art works he's collected from different parts of Africa as well as garments he's had made. I can hardly wait to read the students' essays about that morning."

            "While I was the director of African Studies at Kalamazoo College in Kalamazoo, Mich., I used to teach a course titled: Introduction To African Studies," said James. "I used to devote two weeks of the course to discussing African art at my home where I have my art collection. It was natural for me to invite the students of Clarion University to my home in Clarion to see some of my art work that I borrowed from our home in Michigan."

            The students are already in an interesting experience, being a part of an art and history learning community, Connecting Africa and the New World. They are taking Art 215: African Traditions in Art, taught by Joslyn, and History 130:  Africa to 1800, taught by Dr. George "Mike" LaRue, professor of history.

            Learning communities were established by the College of Arts and Sciences to help freshman make the most of their first year at Clarion University. As part of a learning community of students and professors, they take classes in a "cluster" of courses, all with a common interdisciplinary theme. They explore that theme in each course, through coordinated readings, assignments, field trips and social

A student tries on a Fila while Dr. Valentine James (right) settles for more conventional headwear.

activities. Community style learning is designed to enhance a student's learning experience and build bonds between students, faculty, and university disciplines.

            The benefits of taking part in a learning community are: small group instruction, integrated curriculum, built-in support system to assist students, both academically and socially, collaboration of faculty, community approach to academics, and personalized learning environment

             The programs' goals are to:  foster cross-discipline knowledge, support a smooth transition from high school to college, build bridges between students and faculty, and extend learning beyond the classroom

            "The idea of being in two related courses is to allow the students to go deeper as well as gaining a broader understanding of the subject," said Joslyn. "We try to give them the big picture. I teach the art from an artist's viewpoint and guide them on doing research. Then they write in their weekly essays about the experiences in both related classes, which often overlap.  One day I taught about patina, surface treatment for a work of art. When they went to Mike's class he brought in an object that had been handled so many times and was rubbed shiny by the handling. The students recognized it as patina and wrote about that in their essays, so the concept really got a chance to sink in."

A student examines some of the African garments in Dr. Valentine James' collection.

            Adding the provost to the mix was a logical step. "This is someone who knows Africa and can provide an interesting personal touch for the class," said Joslyn.

            Earlier this semester, James attended a program by guest speaker Dr. Fred Smith professor of art history at Kent State University, in Ohio, where African hats, known as Fila, were mentioned as artwork. James is never without a Fila, a special tradition in Nigeria. He has a large collection of them including one that designates him as the First Chief of Wisdom for the city of Ikot Ekpene in Nigeria.

             Joslyn had already invited James to be a guest speaker in her class later in the semester. Instead, James invited the students to his home. The visit added to earlier experiences including a trunk show, where Joslyn brought in a suitcase of her teaching collection, filled with cloth from throughout Africa, and a field trip to Pittsburgh to visit the African Heritage Room in the University of Pittsburgh's Cathedral of Learning, with a lecture by a faculty member who helped design the room.

            For additional information on the College of Arts and Science's Learning Partnerships call (814) 393-2225 or e-mail kverdone@clarion.edu.

            Clarion University is the high-achieving, nationally recognized, comprehensive university that delivers a personal and challenging academic experience.

Some of the many art objects students viewed at Dr. Valentine James' home.