Ted Mason

Segment Synopsis: Prof. Ted Mason is the Associate Provost for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. He is also a Professor of English, originally from Cleveland, Ohio.

Segment Synopsis: Prof. Mason started at UVA in 1976, where he also worked at the Institute, which aims to expand the curriculum and faculty in the direction of African and African American Studies.

Segment Synopsis: Prof. Mason discusses the difference between between a department and program model for the discipline, and the strengths and weaknesses for each.

Segment Synopsis: When Prof. Mason first arrived at Kenyon, he was surprised at lack of African and American studies. Even more surprised at resistance to enacting such a program. Mentions public forum in which proposals for program were debated.

Segment Synopsis: Recounts proposing to curricular committee, faculty consideration.

Segment Synopsis: Prof. Mason recounts criticism, such as those who asked "What does race have to do with history?"

Segment Synopsis: Many faculty with research in this area or who were new to college and familiar with programs at their previous institutions. Group included Profs Peter Rutkoff, Will Scott, David Suggs, and Ric Sheffield.

Segment Synopsis: Prof. Mason argues that class enrollments in courses related to program are more important in showing success of AFDS than the number of concentrators.

Segment Synopsis: Prof. Mason recalls meeting other professors at faculty gatherings starting in 1990.

Segment Synopsis: Prof. Mason recounts how a conventional understanding of the liberal arts, defined along departmental lines, harmed the reception of the first proposals of the program. There was a fear that professors teaching in programs would somehow not contribute fully to their departments.

Segment Synopsis: Has previously taught Intro to AFDS, a course on Toni Morrison, a seminar on Richard Wright, a course on Black British cultural studies, etc.

Segment Synopsis: Took "Black Fiction" courses at his undergraduate institution. Started thinking about race and difference. In graduate school, continued with British and American literature, as well as African-American literature. Notes Arnold Rampersad's influence as his graduate school advisor.

Segment Synopsis: Notes the complex nature of interdisciplinary studies because multiple lenses can complicate analysis. It is, however, a valuable experience.

Segment Synopsis: Allows Prof. Mason to refine his work as an instructor. Most students make good use of the multiple disciplines in AFDS but many are not familiar enough with their disciplines to see differences.

Segment Synopsis: Prof. Mason argues that English is "multidisciplinary" because it combines historical perspectives, as well as psychological and feminist approaches, for example. Mentions example of William Dean Howell's work and secondary articles on the rise of the insurance industry.

Segment Synopsis: Prof. Mason recounts the flexibility of the program with a director, rather than a chair. Responsibilities are not intense. He was director 1993-'96, 2003-'07, and 2012-'14.

Segment Synopsis: Prof. Mason recounts the history of the fellowship, started about 17 years ago. Prof. Sheffield and Prof. Mason aimed to expose faculty from underrepresented groups to the liberal arts teaching experience. Wanted to diversify the faculty, even if only for a short time.

Segment Synopsis: Prof. Mason discusses his perspective on the issue of diversifying the student population at Kenyon. Argues that AFDS program should not be the only home for African and African-descended students.

Segment Synopsis: Prof. Mason argues that the program, both its focus and its interdisciplinary nature, is a serious challenge to Kenyon's traditional structures. Questions which topics matter and how to teach those topics. Prof. Mason explores how even just adding new readings to diversify a course can strain a professor's ability to teach the readings they wanted to.

Segment Synopsis: Crossroads as opportunity for faculty to study different topics on the African diaspora. Faculty are from different departmental homes.

Segment Synopsis: Prof. Mason says that program is in good shape. Argues that diversity at Kenyon is an ongoing issue.

Segment Synopsis: Prof. Mason would rather have a higher percentage of domestic students of color. Need financial aid and to be a college that students want to attend. Notes Pomona's vicinity to Los Angeles as a incentive for students of color to attend.

Segment Synopsis: Prof. Mason reflects upon a past class at Kenyon with only 1 Black male student. He also talks about how to improve campus climate, especially when identities are overlapped. Prof. Mason speculates on how to deal with this and use adequate language and direction in diversifying student populations.