Currently Offered Courses - Fall 2023
Interdisciplinary introduction to the basic concepts and literature in the disciplines covered by African American studies; surveys the major approaches to the study of African Americans across several academic disciplines including economics, education, psychology, literature, political science, sociology and others.
Sociohistorical survey of African American experiences from the West African background to North America, from the 17th century to the present. Same as HIST 174.
Survey of the literary work of Black Americans from 1746 to the present. Exploration of the social, cultural, and political contexts that have shaped the Black American literary tradition by analyzing not only poetry, drama, autobiographical narratives, short stories, and novels, but also folktales, spirituals, and contemporary music. Same as ENGL 150.
Survey of African American music, from its origins to the present with a focus on understanding details of musical performance and the ways in which music interacts with its social and political context. Examines genres such as spirituals, the blues, jazz, R&B, soul, and hip-hop. No previous musical background is necessary.
Same as AAS 215, AIS 295, GWS 215, and LLS 215. See AAS 215.
Presents the Afro-centric world view as it was manifested in traditional African society and in the Afro-American slave community. Shows that this world view merged with European notions of art and humanity, as revealed in modern Afro-American literature, art, and music. Same as CWL 226. Approved for both letter and S/U grading. Prerequisite: AFRO 100 or consent of instructor.
A study of hip-hop from its beginnings in the post-industrial South Bronx of the 1970s to the global present. By focusing on the work of specific artists and movements, we will compare and contrast the production and consumption of hip-hop with other forms of popular music (including jazz, rock, disco, and pop). This course shows how musicians and listeners use hip-hop to express ideas about topics such as economics, nationalism, black power, feminism, and violence.
Provides an introduction to Pan African political movements and ideologies from the Americas to continental Africa. Examines the political, social, economic, and ideological relationships and connections between Africans and their descendants in the diaspora from an historical and comparative perspective. Same as AFST 243 and PS 243.
Same as CWL 259 and ENGL 259. See ENGL 259.
Same as CWL 260 and ENGL 260. See ENGL 260.
Same as AAS 281, HIST 281, and LLS 281. See HIST 281.
Same as AAS 310, EPOL 310, EPS 310, and LLS 310. See EPOL 310.
Critical examination of the contributions of intellectuals of African descent in the Caribbean and its global circuits. Major streams of social/political thought, cultural analysis, and artistic expression from across the region and its diasporas are analyzed within post- and de-colonial theoretical frameworks. Dialogues with Caribbeanists and thinkers from other parts of the world will also be considered. Same as CWL 400. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite: AFRO 261 or consent of instructor.
Same as EPOL 410, EPS 421, and HDFS 424. See EPOL 410.
HISTORY OF THE BLACK FREEDOM MOVEMENT (BFM) is an interdisciplinary exploration of the African American people’s struggle for liberation interpreted through the prism of Black Studies’ central concepts, theories, and paradigms. Many of the concepts, theories, and paradigms utilized in this course are also derived from social movement theories developed in the disciplines of sociology and political science. The course is structured around the historical process thus it is organized chronologically and the questions of change and continuity over time and across space are central to its examination of the Black struggle, therefore it is also a history course. Same as HIST 478. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite: AFRO 101, HIST 276, or consent of instructor. Junior and Senior standing required or with consent of instructor.
Introduction to various theories and methodologies rising out of the study of the Black world based on African American intellectual traditions. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite: AFRO 100 and one additional 400-level AFRO course, or consent of instructor.
Introduction for grad students to the central concepts, theories, methodologies, and paradigms in Black Studies. Students will also be introduced to the key critical scholars, seminal works and emerging trends in Black Studies. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.