Bulletins

African American Studies    100

3 (crs.)

Introduction to African American Studies (ES)(XC)

An interdisciplinary survey introduction to some of the major individuals, texts and issues that suggest the complex history and culture that have evolved over time among African Americans in the United States.

African American Studies    109

0 – 1 (crs.)

Heritage Gospel Choir

Through rehearsal and performance, students in this musical ensemble gain appreciation of Afro-American choral music and learn vocal techniques appropriate for singing historical and contemporary gospel traditions as well as more recent praise and worship styles. Group and personal musical expression is emphasized while studying repertoire from the genres of Afro-American spirituals, anthems, and hymns. Ability to read music is not required. Students with little or no formal musical training as well as those with advanced experiences are all welcome to enroll. Cross-listed: AF AM ST 109/MUSIC 109.

African American Studies    150

3 (crs.)

Introduction to Contemporary Black America

This is a lecture course outlining the contemporary history of African-Americans. This course beings at the Harlem Renaissance (early 1900’s) and gives special attention to people, movements, and ideologies that characterize the African American experience from the Black Renaissance Era (1915) up to the dawning of the 21st Century.

African American Studies    238

3 (crs.)

Black Music and American Culture (XC) (ES)

Learn about African American musicians who shaped American culture with a wide variety of musical styles and genres. Study racism, resistance, and resilience as prominent themes in the music history that profoundly influences modern musical practices. Cross-listed: AF AM ST 238/MUSIC 238.

African American Studies    239

3 (crs.)

African American Gospel Music (XC) (ES)

Study the religious musical heritage of Afro-America and learn about important musical genres, styles and figureheads important to Gospel music, from its historical roots in slavery to 21st-century off-shoots. Learn to appreciate Gospel music, think critically about it, and communicate about Gospel’s musical characteristics. Explore the complex relationships between the music and its social, religious, and political contexts. Cross-listed: AF AM ST 239/MUSIC 239.

African American Studies    251

3 (crs.)

Social Problems of Black America

This course examines the past, present, and future state of Black people in the United States. Moreover, this course is designed to create an awareness while stimulating an interest in further research and study of the African/Black-American culture as it is shaped by socio-historic and socio-cultural forces. Keeping the identity crisis found within Black America as a focal point, there are many issues associated with the sociology of African Americans. Topics include: exploitation and oppression, urbanization, gentrification, incarceration, recidivism, and social fragmentation. Cross-listed: AF AM ST 251/SOC 251.

African American Studies    260

3 (crs.)

Distinguished Figures of African Descent

This course champions the accomplishments of prominent African Americans through various interdisciplinary lenses. Along with presenting historical information, the larger scheme and scope of this course is to make aware the core philosophies, accomplishments, and ultimately, the lasting impressions of these distinguished individuals as related to centuries of progress in what we call the United States of America. Prerequisite: AF AM ST 100 or instructor consent.

African American Studies    294

3 (crs.)

Black Greek Lettered Organizations

This course is a participatory lecture course outlining the role and mission of Black Greek-lettered organizations (BGLO’s) in the United States. This course will closely examine the historical existence, the culture, and contemporary issues facing these nine historic organizations. It will also focus on the role of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) along with the mores, value systems, and cultural underpinnings of African American benevolent and secret societies and their influence in and on these organizations. This course will also highlight well-known African American leaders who are members of BGLO’s and their influence in the African American community in civic action, social justice, community service, and philanthropy.

African American Studies    305

3 (crs.)

Black Social Movements in U.S.

This is a course highlighting the collective push of African Americans against the social, political, economic, and cultural systems that have been, and are currently resistant to change during some of the most turbulent times in America. This course will toggle between both abstract concepts of social movement and isolated incidents through landmark cases that have developed the cultural fabric of America in terms of law and order, systems of social and political thought, and socio-economic progress

African American Studies    309

0 – 1 (crs.)

Heritage Gospel Choir

Through rehearsal and performance, students in this musical ensemble gain appreciation of Afro-American choral music and learn vocal techniques appropriate for singing historical and contemporary gospel traditions as well as more recent ‘praise and worship’ styles. Group and personal musical expression is emphasized while studying repertoire from the genres of Afro-American spirituals, anthems, and hymns. Ability to read music is not required. Students with little or no formal musical training as well as those with advanced experiences are all welcome to enroll.

African American Studies    311

3 (crs.)

Sociology of the Modern City

For the first time in history, more people in the world now live in urban areas than rural areas. This course explores urban places and urban people, in historical context and via current affairs, from our largest cities to the local level. It focuses in particular on these topics that impact urban places: suburbanization and sprawl; stratification, immigration, community, and organizations; population diversity, hop-hop culture, and racism; and, politics, globalization, planning and environmental issues. Cross-listed: AF AM ST 311/SOC 311. Prerequisites: SOC 101, 151 or 203 or instructor consent. Special course fees may apply.

African American Studies    335

3 (crs.)

Blackness in American Visual Culture

This course will explore how American visual culture expressed multiple ideas about blackness for more than 400 years. This course will focus on how stereotypes and popular forms of visual culture have constructed black racial identity through popular prints, political cartoons, satire, photographs, paintings, illustrated books, and periodicals, along with the emergence of television, film and social media. It will also expose students to the realities of new Black identity through the emergence of Black cultural expression and Black artistic liberty through various forms of visual art and digital media. Cross-listed: AF AM ST 335/COMM 335.

African American Studies    356

3 (crs.)

The Black Male in the U.S. (ES)

This course highlights the multi-faceted realities of the Black Male in the United States. This course will examine the strains and lasting effects that slavery has had on the Black male in the United States while considering the dilemmas of the Black male regarding survival and success, including but not limited to: pride, manhood, masculinity, sexuality, economics, religion, education, scarcity, self- destruction, targeting, community, family, and strategies for improving and strengthening these areas. This course is designed to create awareness and interest in further research and study rather than to attempt exhaustive coverage of material or to present definitive analyses. Cross-listed: AF AM ST 356/SOC 356.

African American Studies    357

3 (crs.)

The Black Female in the U.S.

This course is designed to provide an overview of what it means to be a Black woman in America. We will study the historical and contemporary socio-political challenges and successes of Black women. Students will engage with text and media materials that give voice to Black women and Black womanhood and further explicate the ways in which race, gender, identity, class, religion, and age intersect in regard to Black womanhood and concepts of belonging, community, and citizenship.

African American Studies    358

3 (crs.)

Black Male/Female Relationships

This course will focus on the multi-faceted realities of Black male-female relationships in America. This course will examine the strains and lasting effects that slavery had in the United States in regard to Black male-female relationships. Course content will include: sexism, economics, religion, education, scarcity, self-destruction, community, and family. Strategies for improving/strengthening these relationships will also be discussed. This course is designed to create awareness and interest in further research and study of African-American culture rather than to attempt exhaustive coverage of material or to present definitive analyses.

African American Studies    366

1 – 3 (crs.)

Service Learning Field Study

In this course, students will apply their African American Studies education to service activities in the community, under the supervision of an individual at the site and a member of the faculty or academic staff. Students will volunteer for a certain number of hours per week depending upon the number of credits they will receive. Students will also write reflective papers that connect their service experiences with relevant readings. Service activities must be relevant to African American Studies. Prerequisites: Instructor permission and 6 hours of African American Studies course credit. (Note: The general prerequisites for Independent Study/Related Readings are waived for this course).

African American Studies    395

3 (crs.)

Special Topics A: Optional Content

Special Topics A courses focus solely on African American Studies. The course may be repeated once with different content.

African American Studies    396

3 (crs.)

Special Topics B: Optional Content

Special Topics B courses focus in part on African American Studies, with significant portion of students’ coursework devoted to African American Studies. The course may be repeated once with different content.

African American Studies    397

3 (crs.)

Special Topics C: Optional Content

Special Topics C courses focus solely on African American Studies.

African American Studies    446

1 – 3 (crs.)

Independent Study

See Independent Study under Course and Academic Advisement policies information for general course description, general prerequisites, and proper contract form requirements.