Â鶹ÒùÔº in courses taught by Angel David Nieves, assistant professor in the department of ethnic studies at the University of Colorado at Boulder, are tackling contemporary - and often controversial - multicultural issues across a variety of disciplines.
Nieves is a trained researcher and teacher in the fields of anthropology, women's studies, architecture, American history and African American history and literature. He synthesizes these areas of expertise in interdisciplinary courses on race, gender, class, sexuality, ethnicity and research methods across the fields of ethnic studies, women's studies, Black studies and geography.
"Angel is young, full of ideas and energy and extraordinarily able to connect with, inspire and motivate students," said Ward Churchill, chair of ethnic studies. "He is a valuable asset to the department."
Kerry Kite, president of the CU-Boulder Black Student Alliance and an ethnic studies major, has taken classes with Nieves each semester since his arrival, mostly because of his energetic, passionate and candid teaching style.
"Professor Nieves has taught me the importance of individuality and education," Kite said. "To have a professor push and encourage you to explore and work hard is empowering. He is an inspiration to us all and gives new meaning to the definition of a hero and a mentor."
Nieves has learned that many students come to campus with an uneven view of American history and uses artifacts such as a "Mammy" doll from the movie "Gone with the Wind," as well as authentic slave chains, to bring historical, abstract experiences to life.
"Most students don't understand how significant 400 years of enslavement of African Americans in the United States has been, and still is, in issues of race relations and democracy," he said.
"Some students may have never met a person of color before coming to the Boulder campus. Historical objects help explain the legacy of racial inequality in this country and promote discussion on how it plays out in places like Boulder today."
Nieves believes CU-Boulder students want to be tested and engaged and he is interested in constantly challenging them, and being an advocate for them.
"I always felt that in my own education I never had anyone who looked and acted like me and had similar cultural experiences," he said. "I felt that there needed to be more faculty of color in American higher education and I wanted to contribute."
Nieves describes his identity as Latino and "Newyorican," a first-generation Puerto Rican born in New York, who embraces his African heritage. He speaks Italian, Spanish and Swahili and joined the CU-Boulder faculty last year.
In addition to his teaching duties, he is director of the Center for Studies of Ethnicity and Race in America, or CSERA, housed in the department of ethnic studies.
As CSERA director, Nieves conducts a monthly brown-bag series for faculty, staff and students on issues related to race, class, gender, sexuality and ethnicity, with guest speakers from across the campus. He is developing plans for CSERA to act as a clearinghouse for research and publications authored by faculty and scholars nationwide, among other projects.
Nieves earned his doctorate from the College of Architecture, Art and Planning at Cornell University in several disciplinary areas, including the history of architecture and urban development; Africana, or African American, studies; women's studies; and African American literature. He received a master's degree in anthropology and a bachelor's degree in architecture with a concentration in American history from Syracuse University. He also studied at the Scuola di Architettura in Florence, Italy.
Nieves is a recipient of many honors and fellowships, including the Robert D. MacDougall Memorial Scholarship for Interdisciplinary Research at Cornell University and is the author of a number of book and journal publications with several more in progress. His artistic and creative works have appeared in museum exhibitions at Cornell, the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage-Smithsonian Institution, Syracuse University and university centers in Florence, Rome and Venice.
For more information on programs and courses offered by the department of ethnic studies, call (303) 492-8852 or visit:Ìý .