Currently Offered Courses - Fall 2019
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.
Sociological perspective of the experience of African American women in the contemporary United States. Specifically, an examination of relationships between the economy, state policy, culture, work and motherhood for this demographic group. Same as GWS 226 and SOC 223.
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.
Introduction to the origin, development, and maturation of the African diaspora in the Americas and the Caribbean, beginning with the transatlantic slave trade and up to the end of the 20th century. Same as ANTH 261.
Same as AAS 281, HIST 281, and LLS 281. See HIST 281.
Same as AAS 310, EPS 310, and LLS 310. See EPS 310.
Focus on the relationship between race and slavery during the revolutions in American and Haiti, respectively. We will seek to understand how the themes of slavery, revolution and race affected blacks, whites and indigenous Americans. We will learn about life during the Revolutionary era by reading the biographies, political pamphlets and personal letters of former slaves, Revolutionaries and everyday men and women as well as historical scholarship. Same as HIST 389. Prerequisite: One African American Studies or History course at either the 100- or 200-level or the consent of instructor.
Uses film as case studies to examine the diverse structures, social classes, and internal dynamics among African American families. Critical family processes such as family formation patterns, dating mate selection, parenting, male-female/gender relations, child adolescent, and adult development, family routines and practices, family communication, and family stress and coping will be examined. Also considers how families interact within larger contexts, such as the local neighborhood and key institutions (school, workplace, social service agencies). Films will be supplemented with readings drawn for diverse disciplines (African American Studies, Anthropology, Family Studies, History, Psychology, and Sociology) that allow us to examine key substantive, theoretical, methodological, and policy issues in the study of African American families. Same as HDFS 324.
Advanced seminar on selected topics with particular emphasis on current research trends. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours. Prerequisite: Junior status and one of the following: AFRO 224, or HIST 275 or HIST 276, or ENGL 259 or ENGL 260.
Introduction to the research, theories, and paradigms developed to understand the attitudes, behaviors, and psychological and educational realities of African Americans. Same as PSYC 416. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite: AFRO 100 or one psychology course.
Presents the struggle of African Americans for self-definition, self-development, and self-determination from the inception of the civil rights movement to the contemporary period. Same as HIST 478. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite: AFRO 101, HIST 276, or consent of instructor.
Examination of how public policy has shaped urban communities and the life chances (i.e., the social, economic, mental and physical well-being) of families of color. Emphasizes the theoretical, political, and economic context of public policy making and specifically address urban issues of housing, communities and families, employment, welfare, and poverty. This course will draw on scholarship by sociologists, historians, policy analysts, race theorists, and economists. Same as SOC 472 and UP 481. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours.
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.
Seminar on selected topics with particular emphasis on current research trends. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. May be repeated up to a maximum of 6 undergraduate hours or 8 graduate hours. Prerequisite: Upper level AFRO course (300 or above) or consent of instructor.
Primarily but not exclusively for students who are completing a minor or concentration in African American Studies. Approved for both letter and S/U grading. May be repeated in the same or separate terms to a maximum of 12 hours. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
