Africana Studies - Course Descriptions

In addition to courses given by other departments, the following are courses that are offered on a rotating basis by the Africana Studies Program.

A survey course regarding the dispersion of African peoples to Europe, the Caribbean, and the Americas.

This course offers an introduction to the field of Africana Studies. It includes the theoretical foundations for this discipline as well as an historical exploration of forces leading to emergence of artistic, music, poetry and social movements.

As200 Ethnic and Racial Relations
The study of interethnic and interracial relationships. Examined are United States and international experiences of immigrant and migrant groups, majorities, minorities, dominant cultures and subcultures. Prerequisite: So121 or Ur 151.

As224 Afro-Puffs, Dredlocks, Boobies and Wraps: Black Hair and Identity in America
This course examines the social, cultural and political significance of black hair in America. It explores the profound impact of hair on identity and how it is embedded in notions of race, ethnicity, gender and class. Prerequisite: As 175 or As 177 or So121 or Ur 151.

As230 Black Politics
The student of black organizations as interest groups; examination of group organizational problems; analysis of difficulties encountered by groups in urban interactions. Prerequisite: As 175 or As 177 or So121 or Ur 151.

Analysis’s the shifting relationships between groups. Course explores the dynamics of how and why different ethnicities come together and grow apart. Questions the underlying forces behind these movements. Prerequisite: As 175 or As 177 or So121 or Ur 151.

Course examines the black family in historical and contemporary perspectives. Emphasis is placed on how there are a variety of “families” in the African-American community as well as all other communities. Prerequisite: As 175 or As 177 or So121 or Ur 151.

An examination of the most pressing contemporary issues, both international and domestic, facing people of African descent. Prerequisite: As 175 or As 177

As 428 The Literature, Culture and Society of West Africa (see Ed 428 for course description) Counts as a values course.

The study of the origins and influences of the major religious traditions found in the Black religious community. Also explores what African influences are present. Counts as either a values course or substitute for Th 120.

A survey of the role, and non-roles, of African Americans in film. The course encompasses range of materials from roles played to characterizations of people. Prerequisite: As 175 or As 177 or So121 or Ur 151.

As460 The United States Civil Rights Movement
Analysis of the origins processes, and outcomes of the twentieth century black American Civil Rights struggle

The capstone course provides students with the opportunity to synthesis their previous 15 credits, as well as materials from other courses, into a senior thesis research project on a topic developed with the students and the program director.