Undergraduate Course Descriptions
Africana Studies (AFST) courses are listed in the undergraduate course catalog as a subsection of the Sociology (SOC) section.
1714: INTRODUCTION TO AFRICANA STUDIES
Introduction to the interdisciplinary field of Africana Studies. Organized around central themes and forces that have shaped and been shaped by the life experience of people of African descent. (3H,3C)
1814 (IDST 1814): INTRO TO AFRICAN STUDIES
Introduces students to the study of sub-Saharan Africa -- history, politics, economics, arts, and culture -- and to Africa's place in the world. Required first course in the African (Area) Studies concentration. (3H,3C)
2144 (REL 2144): AFRICAN RELIGIONS
The role of religous (or belief) systems in African society, especially the three predominantly religious traditions in Africa: the so-called African traditional religions, Islam, and Christianity; the universe of religious systems and religious experiences and processes of Africa, in particular Sub-Saharan Africa; critical examination of the mythic stature of Africa's "religions" within Western cultural (and scholarly) world views and institutions. (3H,3C)
2354: THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT
Examines the Civil Rights Movement in the U.S. Both non-violent and violent resistance will be examined, as well as strategies used in organizing mass boycotts, sit-ins, and marches. Special attention will be paid to how the movement shaped civil rights legislation on the federal level. The course also examines how the Movement influenced student protest on college campuses. (3H,3C)
2454: RACE AND RACISM
Examines theories of race and racism specifically as they relate to African Americans. We will explain conservative, neo-conservative, liberal, and progressive ideologies concerning race in past and recent United States contexts and how such theories emerged and continue to emerge in recent times. Though the majority of the course focuses on race and racism within the U.S., comparative analyses will be made with Brazil and South Africa. (3H,3C)
2734 (REL 2734) (WS 2734): THE BLACK WOMAN IN THE U.S.
The emerging womanist perspective of "interstructured oppression," (i.e., the simultaneous effects of racism, sexism, and classism) as relevant to the contributions of Black women in the U.S.; views of Black women from African backgrounds, the Atlantic slave trade, and the progressive rise of womanist/feminist liberation movements in Black culture; contributions of Black women in the U.S. and globally. (3H,3C)
2744 (REL 2744): AMERICAN BLACK CHURCH
An inspection of the history and culture of the Black American Church. The course focuses upon the African origin and African-American development of religions and sects. The course will emphasize broad themes, historical patterns, and similarities as well as differences in the Afrocentric and Eurocentric methods of worshipping. (3H,3C)
2754: SPORTS AND THE AFRO-AMERICAN EXPERIENCE
Sports as a paradigm of the African-American experience. The forms of racism and the periodic significant social advances of the African-American community in the U.S. will be examined from the vantage point of African-American sports. Attention will also be paid to the continuing impact of sports on African-American culture. Sports heroes, successful teams and annual sporting events will be noted and analyzed. (3H,3C)
2774: BLACK AESTHETICS
A definition of those qualities of black American arts which distinguish it from traditional U.S. arts through an analysis of theme, form, and technique as they appear in a representative sample of works by black creative artists. (3H,3C)
2974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.
2984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.
3174 (HIST 3174): AFRICAN AMERICAN MEN IN UNITED STATES HISTORY
Chronological and thematic examination of significant historical moments in black men's lives. Examination of the social, cultural, and political forces contributing to a uniquely African American male experience in the United States. Survey of events in America's collective past such as wars, depressions, and protest movements. (3H,3C)
3175,3176 (HIST 3175, 3176): AFRO-AMERICAN HISTORY
The Afro-American experience in the United States from 1619 to the present. Emphasis upon slavery and the strategies of economic and social survival in the twentieth century. 3175: 1619-1877 3176: 1877-present (3H,3C)
3454: AFRICAN AMERICAN LEADERSHIP FOR SOCIAL CHANGE
This course will utilize the three major paradigmatic assumptions in Black Studies (centeredness, critical analysis, and empowerment) to examine historical and contemporary African American leadership concepts and styles and their impact on social change. (3H,3C)
3634 (ENGL 3634): AFRICAN AMERICAN LITERATURE
Afro-American writings from Phyllis Wheatley through the slave narratives of the nineteenth century to such modern figures as Wright, Hughes, Baldwin, and Morrison. (3H,3C)
3984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.
4354: ISSUES IN AFRICANA STUDIES
A variable topics course in which students will use the Africana Studies paradigm to take a centered, critical, and empowering look at various topics regarding people of African descent. (3H,3C)
4704: HISTORY OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN THEATRE
An in-depth study of Black Theatre in America. It will explore the history and development of Black Theatre ? both commercial and non-commercial. The course will also stimulate critical thinking pertaining to racial issues, differences in aesthetics and cultures. Pre: 1715. (3H,3C)
4754: INTERNSHIP
Variable credit course.
4774: BLACKS IN THE PERFORMING ARTS
An examination of the performing arts as a paradigm of the African-American experience. Forms of U.S. racism and the periodic significant social advances of the U.S.'s African-American community will be examined in this course from the vantage points of blacks in theatre, film, dance, and music. Emphasis will be placed on the continuing impact of performing arts on African-American culture. Performers, heroes, historical works and performing arts events will be analyzed. Pre: 1714. (3H,3C)
4974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.
4984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.
HIST 2304: AFRICA IN THE MODERN WORLD
The peoples and societies of Africa. Emphasis on major themes and developments since the eighteenth century. Historical approach to understanding indigenous African cultures and their encounters with global forces. Concentration on African achievements, the response to colonialism, the rise of modern nationalism, and the problems and prospects of independent Africa. Taught alternate years. I (3H,3C)