AND

PAUL ROBESON	KATHERINE DUNHAM	WEB DUBOIS	BILLIE HOLIDAY	FATS WALLER

Dr. Deborah Sanders

dsanders@njcu.edu

This course is an examination of the historical, psychological, cultural, and social forces that shape the identity and culture of the people of African descent in the United States and elsewhere within the African Diaspora. The subject matter will be explored thematically, focusing upon Africa’s rich cultural history, contributions of African descendants in the Diaspora, the specific cultural contributions of African Americans and the challenges of identity associated with African descendants continual struggle against racism. The scope of the course is vast, therefore it must be remembered that only a survey of issues concerning Black Identity and Culture can be addressed. It is hoped that the course will encourage students to further their knowledge and the study of this important subject.

OBJECTIVES

1. To provide students with an understanding of the societal forces that have shaped the identity and the

culture of African Americans in the United States.

2. To present a panorama of information about the social, political, and cultural contributions of

African and African Americans to world civilizations.

3. To profile a number of important African and African Americans who have made significant

contributions in the literary, art, music, dance, theater, and political fields.

4. To enhance the students academic skills through oral reporting, reading and writing assignments.

COURSE OUTLINE

Week 1: Introduction Notes

1/21

Week 2: African American Studies: Trends, Developments, and Future Challenges

1/28

Reading Assignment: Notes

a.) p. 5 “The Study of the Negro”

b.) p. 24 “Black Studies, Multiculturalism, and the Future of America”

Formation and Meeting of Groups

Week 3: Africa and the Diaspora: The Ties That Bind

2/4

Reading Assignment:

p.45 “African History and Western Civilization”

p. 83 “Reflections on Black Woman’s Role in the Community of Slaves”

Video: Caravans of Gold

Meeting of Groups

Week 4 Africa and the Diapsora: The Ties That Bind

2/11

Reading Assignment:

a.) p. 58 “ The Atlantic Slave Trade and Slavery: Some Interpretations of their

Significance in the Development of the United States and the Western World”

b.) p. 97 “Symptoms of Liberty and Black Head Signposts: David Walker and Nat Turner”

Week 5 Black Expressive Culture: Music and Literature

2/18

Reading Assignment:

a.) p.156 “Africanisms in African American Music”

b.) p. 236 “Black Arts Movement”

Video: Jazz in America

Week 6 Discovering the Meaning of Black Identity

2/25

Reading Assignment:

a.) p. 280 “African Foundations for Black Psychology”

b.) p. 293 “To Make Them Stand in Fear”

c.) p. 298 “Of Our Spiritual Strivings”

Meeting of Groups

Week 7 Library Research Session /Midterm Examination (Take Home)

3/4

Week 8 Spring Break

3/11

Week 9 Racism, Resistance, and Radicalism

3/16

a.) 8p. 385 “Learning to Read and Growing in Knowledge”

b.) p 435 “The Demand for Black Labor: Historical Noted on the Political Economy of Racism”

d.) p.588 “The Curse of the Black Middle Class Leadership: A Cultural Analysis”

Week 10 Research Session (This session will be devoted to the organization and presentation

3/25 of your Group Report)

Week 11 Group Report: African Americans in Art

4/1

Week 12 Group Report: African Americans in Literature

4/8

Week 13 Group Report: African Americans in Cinema

4/15

Week 14 Group Report: African American in Music

4/22

Week 15

4/29 Group Report: African American In Dance

Research Paper Due

Week 16 Discussion and Final Review

5/6

Week of May 13 Final Examination

REQUIREMENTS

1. Text: Floyd Hayes. A Turbulent Voyage: Readings in African American Studies

2. Group Report: You will work with a group to produce a two hour report for the class on one of the broad topic areas listed above. Your group will make decisions about what and how to present the topic. The first step is to research the topic area and then decide the individual report for each group member. Your group may decide to use a variety of techniques and material to produce your report. Be creative and have fun. (100 points)

3. Research Paper: You will submit a 10-15 page research paper on the topic area you have chosen for your group report. Paper must include Title page, table of contents, sub-topics, bibliography. (100 points)

4. Mid-term Examination (100 points)

5. Final Examination (100 points)

6. Oral Report: (50 points) Each student will report on one of the chapters assigned in the text. You will

a.) summarize the key points , provide analysis

b.) use the discussion questions in the chapter to guide your presentation.

c.) Do not read from the book directly. Do not plagiarize your report.

7. Class Participation (50 points) You will be graded for contributions to class discussions