Afro-American Studies

Examines the multidimensional aspects of the African (Black) American experience in the U.S.A. The material describes the problems encountered and strategies employed by African (Black) Americans in the transition from slavery to their status in America. It is organized to focus on the social, cultural, economic, political, and legal forces encountered by African (Black) Americans as they attempted to elevate their standard of living and social status. Special emphasis will be placed on the African (Black) Americans’ struggle for basic civil and human rights, freedom, self- respect and identity, equality, political power and acceptance into mainstream America, the great migration from the rural South to the Urban areas in the North and West, the fight for desegregation and employment opportunities and the establishment of social, religious, and economic organizations in the United States of America.

Explores the issues and challenges related to the development of programs & departments in African American Studies and analyze key factors that shaped the Afro-American experience in America. Gain a comprehensive understanding of the historical, political, economic, social, and cultural influences that contributed to development of the African American community.

Engage in supervised research with a faculty supervisor, choosing a topic of interest. Develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and research skills while receiving expert guidance and mentorship. Build connections, gain valuable experience, and prepare for future academic and career endeavors.

Engage in supervised research with a faculty supervisor, choosing a topic of interest. Develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and research skills while receiving expert guidance and mentorship. Build connections, gain valuable experience, and prepare for future academic and career endeavors.

Explore theories of social science from the foundations of Black intellectual history.

Engage in supervised research with a faculty supervisor, choosing a topic of interest. Develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and research skills while receiving expert guidance and mentorship. Build connections, gain valuable experience, and prepare for future academic and career endeavors.

Explore the political and economic forces that explain the relative under-development of the "Third World" today. Attention given to the emergence of the "Third World" and the historic and modern forces of exploitation that have shaped and continue to shape it.

Examine the economic empowerment strategies and philosophies of Afro-American leaders and organizations, from the early 19th century to the present, to gain insight into successful approaches for community advancement.

Analyze the background of evolution and organization of the emergent field of African American or Black Studies in the context of American higher education.

In this course, students will gain an foundation understanding to Black education in America through Africa with a focus on contemporary issues. By exploring questions about teaching, learning, and schooling people of African descent, students will develop a critical eye for current social structural arguments in education policy. This course provides an opportunity to engage with historical narratives of education in America through museum artifacts and archives.

Study selected issues in-depth and explore dominant and contemporary political, economic, and socio-cultural dimensions of the African and African American experience in this course.

Review and analysis of the historical and contemporary educational philosophies expressed by educators who are directly or indirectly involved in the processes of Afro-American education.

Examine a phase of the Kemetic language conventionally known as Middle Egyptian (2280 BCE 1567 BCE). The course provides a unique and innovate examination of Kemetic (Ancient Egyptian) civilization as it seeks to interpret the culture and philosophy of Kemet by utilizing a systematic knowledge of the language to critically engage a range of primary texts.

Examine a phase of the Kemetic language conventionally known as Middle Egyptian (2280 BCE 1567 BCE). The course provides a unique and innovate examination of advanced grammar and Kemetic (Ancient Egyptian) civilization as it seeks to interpret the culture and philosophy of Kemet by utilizing a systematic knowledge of the language to critically engage a range of primary texts.

The course examines a phase of the Kemetic language conventionally known as Middle Egyptian (2280 BCE 1567 BCE). The course provides a unique and innovate examination of advanced grammar and Kemetic (Ancient Egyptian) civilization as it seeks to interpret the culture and philosophy of Kemet by utilizing a systematic knowledge of the language to critically engage a range of primary texts.

The course focuses on a particular dialect of the Coptic language, referred to as Sahidic Coptic. The course provides a unique and innovative examination of Egypt and emerging Christianity in Late Antiquity by utilizing a systematic knowledge of the Coptic language to critically engage a range of primary texts.

Experience hands-on learning through real-world projects and gain practical skills in a collaborative setting. This course emphasizes problem-solving, communiity development, critical thinking, and innovation.

Explore the cultural and social impact of hip hop through an African American Studies lens. Analyze the historical roots, artistic expressions, and socio-political messages within hip hop culture. Develop critical thinking, cultural literacy, and an appreciation for the transformative power of this influential art form.

Explore the use and impact of still and motion pictures in the experiences of people of African descent through a multi-disciplinary lens. This course offers a theoretical and practical framework for students to examine Black cinema from 1900 to present, surveying history, debates, and controversies in the field. Students will watch films and create their own short documentary or film storyboard, while reflecting on the role of technology and audience perception. No prior knowledge required.

Examine the ways blacks in Africa and the Americas conceptualize and explain their world through philosophy and religion. Various cultural and religious belief systems are examined, including traditional African religion and U.S. urban religions, voodoo, etc.

Analyze autobiographies and slave narratives to explore the political, social, economic, psychological, and cultural experiences of African Americans. Examine the historical and social context of the writers' contributions to American literature and intellectual traditions, shaping contemporary perspectives.

Analyze the nature of Black social and political thought from the 1800s to the dawn of the twentieth century

Analyze the nature of Black social and political thought from the 1900s to the dawn of the twenty-first century

Review key theories, approaches, and empirical studies in Afro-American Studies to prepare for the comprehensive examination. Receive comprehensive instruction and guidance from faculty, refine knowledge, and develop research and writing skills for academic and professional pursuits in the field.

Engage in supervised research with a faculty supervisor, choosing a topic of interest. Develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and research skills while receiving expert guidance and mentorship. Build connections, gain valuable experience, and prepare for future academic and career endeavors.

Develope your research report writing skills with faculty supervision and feedback to prepare for academic and professional pursuits that demand clear and concise reporting.

Intern with selected external organizations in this required field work program. Gain hands-on experience in your concentration, apply acquired knowledge and skills, build professional connections, enhance your resume, and prepare for future career opportunities. Bridge the gap between academic learning and practical experience.

Examines the ways in which race, gender, and culture impact the social and political thought, activism, and experiences of Black women in the United States. Engages in the study of Black women using an Africana Studies framework.

Examine the diverse experiences of Africana women across history and contemporary contexts. Gain a comprehensive understanding of their contributions through engaging with various topics and critical analysis of historical narratives and contemporary issues. Broaden your knowledge of Africana women's experiences and their impact on society

Examine the ways in which Black women functioned as powerful social and political actors in a variety of movements, organizations, and community spaces. Explores how Black women wield power and their remarkable record as change agents. Analyzes the dynamic interplay between conflicting concepts of womanhood and power using the Africana Studies Framework.

Survey various systems of bondage in Europe proper, the Near East, Africa and the Americas. Emphasis is placed on the economic, social and cultural factors, which contributed to the rise and decline of slavery throughout the world.

Review the Harlem Renaissance Movement and analyze how black writers emerged as distinct political voices in the arts from 1910 to 1945 in this course. This experience can deepen your understanding of African American literature and provide insight into the broader cultural and political implications of the Harlem Renaissance Movement.

Examine the role of West Indian Radicals in America in the African-American struggles for Liberty, Equality and Justice. Students will gain an understanding of the geographic sources & contemporary composition of the West Indian Community in America, the ideological perspectives of Radical West Indian Activists, Major West Indian Organizations and Philosophical outlooks.

Survey the creative literature of black writers in the U.S., the Caribbean, and Africa, and critically analyze the social and cultural environments that influenced their work in this course. As a student, you will gain a deep understanding of the historical and cultural context that shaped the literature produced by black writers and explore the themes and issues that emerge across different geographic regions.

Analyze the nature of Black thought around the world with a focus on transnational thinking traditions in the modern era (1500-present).

Explore Black American poetry from the mid-1960s to the present, emphasizing the cultural roots and the role of poetry in the Black Arts Movement.

Explore the artistic ideas and values found in Africa and traces their reappearance and transformation in the religions and philosophies of African-American cultural life. The aesthetics of the plastic, visual and performance arts are explored.

Explore the issue of the Role of the State in the struggles for Liberty, Equality and Justice of African Communities in the United States, Southern Africa, Latin America & the Caribbean and Europe. Students will gain an understanding of the consequences of the denial of Rights, Opportunities and Privileges upon the socio-economic outlook of these communities.

This course examines research methods with emphasis on the steps required to design a scientific study including archival and survey data collection techniques, e.g., document analysis, participant observation, survey design and field interview techniques.

Survey the creative literature of black writers in the U.S., the Caribbean, and Africa, and critically analyze the social and cultural environments that influenced their work in this course. As a student, you will gain a deep understanding of the historical and cultural context that shaped the literature produced by black writers and explore the themes and issues that emerge across different geographic regions.

Explore Black American poetry from the mid-1960s to the present, emphasizing the cultural roots and the role of poetry in the Black Arts Movement. This course meets the Third Writing requirement

Study Abroad. Experiences vary by department, topic, semester, and locale.

Immerse yourself in the Black community, fulfilling the "Black University" commitment, by engaging in community service and fieldwork. Develop skills, build connections, and contribute to the betterment of the community while growing personally and academically.