Gettysburg College gives students the opportunity to immerse themselves in an innovative liberal arts curriculum. Derrick Gondwe Visiting Scholar and Visiting Assistant Prof. Tyeshia Redden teaches several popular courses in the Africana Studies department. Two of her courses in the fall semester, “Black Bodies in American Sporting” and “Black Feminism in Film and Hip Hop,” inspired students to reconsider their preconceived notions of race, merit, and justice.
“My courses are designed with an emphasis on storytelling and counter narratives, through the lens of Africana Studies. By including works by scholars of color and women in my course syllabi, I find that students are receptive to multi-faceted perspectives,” said Redden.
Redden sees that students walk away from her courses with an ability to recognize the socio-political realities faced by the marginalized in today’s society. “Students are equipped with the critical mind and voice necessary to hone their path as informed and empathetic citizens,” she said.
Her current research investigates the urban development associated with mega sporting events, such as the Olympic Summer Games, and their long-lasting impacts on marginalized communities.