In a push to increase African studies offerings at Harvard, a group of students have started a weekly class in Igbo, the language and culture of southeast Nigeria.
The three students and professor who organized the class are petitioning the University to recognize their class as a full-credit offering, but are unsure of what the outcome will be.
"We're still negotiating with the administration...Right now I don't know what's going to happen," said the course's instructor, Boston University professor Victor B. Manfredi '78-'79. "I respect the students enormously for their interest and dedication."
Manfredi has agreed to teach the class free of charge and regardless of whether the University decides to give credit for the class.
The class meets from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursdays in the Currier House poker room. Currently, it has just three regular participants.
But Onyinye I. Iweala '02 said she believes gaining official recognition for the Igbo class would be an important step towards a larger project--the establishment of more African language and study classes at Harvard.
"If we can get a core group of students, we can build it up in the future," she said.
Students said they believe the course fills a void in Harvard's curriculum.
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