African American Studies Courses

The course provides a multidisciplinary introduction of the many dimensions of the African American experience, including the African heritage and diaspora, slavery and freedom, African American artistic and literary expression, and the problem of racism in American society.

Anthropological study of a cultural region of the world (such as the Caribbean, Latin America, or Southeastern Indians), including environment, subsistence, technology, economy, social and political organization, and religion. Identical with AAS 330. Cannot receive credit for both ANT 330 and AAS 330. Variable content course. May be repeated when topic changes.

An exploration of African societies (especially sub-Saharan), including family structure, gender relations, social and political organization, beliefs, economics, art, oral literature, music, dance, and other aspects of culture. Identical with AAS 333. Cannot receive credit for both ANT 332 and AAS 333.

Supervised group study and/or research in an off campus setting. A fee may be charged to cover travel expenses. Identical with AAS 490. Cannot receive credit for both ANT 490 and AAS 490. Variable content course. May be repeated when topic changes.

A survey of the art and architecture produced by the cultures of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas.

This course combines advanced art historical study and research of art and artifacts with a hands-on introduction to basic conservation techniques. Identical with MST 488. Cannot receive credit for both ART 488 and MST 488.

Students will examine how identities, such as race, class, and gender, impact criminal offending, victimization, and professionalism in the criminal justice system. Students will be encouraged to develop a deeper understanding of cultural competency and will conduct academic research in an effort to develop an understanding of the social and criminal justice related factors that create challenges to achieving cultural diversity and the ethical treatment of diverse groups.

Survey of representative works of fiction, poetry, drama, and creative nonfiction in the context of social and cultural movements. Identical with AAS 355. Cannot receive credit for both ENG 355 and AAS 355.

Survey of representative works of fiction, poetry, drama, folklore, personal narratives, and essays from various countries on the African continent written in or translated into English. Identical with AAS 363. Cannot receive credit for both ENG 363 and AAS 363.

Study of African American drama from the antebellum period to the present, with emphasis on the intersections of dramatic art and such social and cultural movements as abolitionism, the Harlem Renaissance, and the Black Arts Movement. Identical with AAS 455. Cannot receive credit for both ENG 455 and AAS 455.

An in-depth geographic study of Africa south of the Sahara Desert. Surveys physical and political geography, climate, tribalism, religion, demography, natural resources, transportation, industry and economic activities of African states South of the Sahara. Students are required to complete one research project. May be taught concurrently with GRY 607. Cannot receive credit for both GRY 507 and GRY 607.

Recommended Prerequisite: HST 103 or 104. This course will introduce students to women's participation in Africa's history and contemporary issues. The readings cover a broad geographical range of North, West, Central and Southern Africa. The course will include five topics: Women and the Family; Women, Politics, and Economics; Religious Women; Women in Colonial Rebellion; and Women and National Revolutions. Identical with AAS 323. Cannot receive credit for both HST 323 and AAS 323.

Recommended Prerequisite: HST 121 or AAS 100. Survey of the experiences of Americans of African descent to 1865. Emphasis on African heritage; African-American contributions and institutions; slavery and quasi-freedom. Identical with AAS 331. Cannot receive credit for both HST 331 and AAS 331.

Recommended Prerequisite: HST 122 or AAS 100. Continuation of HST 331, 1865-present. Emphasis on the struggles for racial justice; protest organizations, philosophies and tactics. Identical with AAS 332. Cannot receive credit for both HST 332 and AAS 332.

Recommended Prerequisite: HST 103 or HST 104 or HST 121 or AAS 100. This course examines the historical roots, dimensions, and causes of conflict in Africa. Thematically organized to capture developments across the different regions in the continent, the course offers critical insights into the preponderance of conflict in Africa since the Cold War. In addition, the course explores the various ways through which Africans, its partners, and international organizations have fostered peace and conflict resolution in Africa over the years. Identical with AAS 334. Cannot receive credit for both HST 334 and AAS 334.

Recommended Prerequisite: HST 103 or 104. Historical developments in Africa from antiquity to the present. Emphasis on south Saharan Africa for the period before European contact. Topics in modern nationalism and independence. Africa in the context of world history. Identical with AAS 335. Cannot receive credit for both HST 335 and AAS 335.

This course deals with knowledge generation, production, and dissemination about Africa and its peoples. It traces the origin, progress, and current state of scholarship on Africa and about Africans. It is about writing and understanding Africa and its history. It examines the kind of history that has been written about events in Africa. In other words, it is concerned with the study of and nature of history in Africa. Given this basic disposition, the course is a reflection on history in Africa as a discipline and the problems involved in the writing of African history globally. Identical with AAS 338. Cannot receive credit for both HST 338 and AAS 338.

Recommended Prerequisite: HST 103 or HST 104 or HST 121 or AAS 100. This course traces the history of Africa from the slave trade to independence. The course is thematically organized to capture developments across the different regions in the continent; and offers critical insights into the place of Africa in world history, especially in relations to and with global developments. As a survey course, the course offers insights into the different regions, paying particular attention to cultural, economic and political changes. Identical with AAS 339. Cannot receive credit for both HST 339 and AAS 339.

Study of African American leaders and movements in the United States, with emphasis on the period since World War II. Identical with AAS 531. Cannot receive credit for both HST 531 and AAS 531. May be taught concurrently with HST 631. Cannot receive credit for both HST 531 and HST 631.

Recommended Prerequisite: 50 hours. A comparative study of the political and economic systems of contemporary Africa with emphasis on sub-Saharan Africa. Ideologies and strategies pursued by selected African governments are covered, including an assessment of contemporary economic, political, and strategic ties within the region and internationally. The class will emphasize such areas as Mauritania, Senegal, Kenya, Somalia, Nigeria, and South Africa. Identical with AAS 550. Cannot receive credit for both PLS 550 and ASS 550. May be taught concurrently with PLS 650. Cannot receive credit for both PLS 650 and PLS 550.

Recommended Prerequisite: REL 131. Explores the establishment and maintenance of African American religious institutions, particularly the Black Churches and their future development. Identical with AAS 346. Cannot receive credit for both REL 345 and AAS 346.

This course explores the social construction of race and ethnicity. Issues of differential power between racial and ethnic groups and the economic, political, and social structures which are utilized to maintain these power differences are identified. Social movements and social policies designed to address social inequality, prejudice and discrimination are also examined. Identical with AAS 336. Cannot receive credit for both SOC 336 and AAS 336.

Content and skill development pertinent to working with diverse racial, cultural, ethnic, and other populations such as persons with physical disabilities and mental illnesses. This course is designed primarily to inform and sensitize individuals for effective interventions within a heterogeneous society. A C grade or better is required for admission to the BSW program.