Duke Guard Nolan Smith

[techman05]

I just finished watching the Duke game that was on tonight. They were celebrating Senior Night at Cameron Indoor. Nolan Smith is getting his degree in African and African American Studies. Now, I am not going to question the difficulty of the classes, after all he is going to Duke. I am not going to question the legitimacy of the classes because I know there is a ton of material to cover. However, I have to ask if that really should qualify as a major field of study. Have we ever had an athlete at Tech highlighted as the scholar athlete majoring in something like this or, say, Elementary Recreation? Are any of the larger more prominent schools out there offering legit degrees in History, English, Business, or Engineering anymore? I know it is probably just their athletes in these types of majors, but still, it seems crazy to me. What happens when he goes pro and blows out a knee after 2 games. What kind of job can he get with that degree?

Just thought I would throw this out and see where it goes.

[CARTEK]

Redneck Studies...now that's what I'm talking about!

[techman05]

Redneck Studies...now that's what I'm talking about!

No, that doesn't qualify. It would actually involve science classes. You have to experiment with lighting farts, baking soda bombs, potato guns, and the lasting effectiveness of duct tape. Also, there would have to be language classes, so you can understand all of Jeff Foxxworthy's words.

[theprofessor]

I just finished watching the Duke game that was on tonight. They were celebrating Senior Night at Cameron Indoor. Nolan Smith is getting his degree in African and African American Studies. Now, I am not going to question the difficulty of the classes, after all he is going to Duke. I am not going to question the legitimacy of the classes because I know there is a ton of material to cover. However, I have to ask if that really should qualify as a major field of study. Have we ever had an athlete at Tech highlighted as the scholar athlete majoring in something like this or, say, Elementary Recreation? Are any of the larger more prominent schools out there offering legit degrees in History, English, Business, or Engineering anymore? I know it is probably just their athletes in these types of majors, but still, it seems crazy to me. What happens when he goes pro and blows out a knee after 2 games. What kind of job can he get with that degree?

Just thought I would throw this out and see where it goes.

I have always viewed "African-American studies" as a form of history degree. It's specialized to a certain area of history, similar to what many master's programs would do. I'm assuming you'd do the same thing with that degree as a generic history degree from Tech -- not much. Either teach or go get a master's degree.

[techman05]

I have always viewed "African-American studies" as a form of history degree. It's specialized to a certain area of history, similar to what many master's programs would do. I'm assuming you'd do the same thing with that degree as a generic history degree from Tech -- not much. Either teach or go get a master's degree.

thanks professor. Like I said, I am not downing this guys ability to graduate or the field he chose. It just seems, on the surface, as more narrow than a business degree from Tech or Grambling. I guess I just don't really understand what field they are actually in with some of the names of these degrees.

[Brian96]

I have always viewed "African-American studies" as a form of history degree. It's specialized to a certain area of history, similar to what many master's programs would do. I'm assuming you'd do the same thing with that degree as a generic history degree from Tech -- not much. Either teach or go get a master's degree.

My guess is that it would be a little closer to sociology (with hefty doses of political science), though history would obviously be an important part of it.