Active Outline

General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
AFAMD010.
Course Title (CB02)
An Introduction to African American Studies
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Course Description
This course is an introduction to the field of African American Studies through history, literature, philosophy, the arts, and culture. Additionally, it will examine the sociological, political, economic, and philosophical perspectives on the experience of people of African ancestry in the United States. The values, experience, and cultural contributions of Black/African American individuals in the United States will be identified, examined, and authenticated.
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

The course meets the Intercultural Studies A.A. degree, UC/CSU, and °®¶¹´«Ã½, CSU general education and IGETC transfer requirements. It introduces the student to the discipline of African American Studies and emphasizes the theoretical framework and areas of study for the discipline.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Formerly Statement
(Formerly ICS D010.)

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to both UC and CSU
°®¶¹´«Ã½ GEArea(s)StatusDetails
2GDX°®¶¹´«Ã½ GE Area D - Social and Behavioral SciencesApproved
CSU GEArea(s)StatusDetails
CGFXCSU GE Area F - Ethnic StudiesApproved
CGDYCSU GE Area D - Social SciencesApproved
IGETCArea(s)StatusDetails
IG4XIGETC Area 4 - Social and Behavioral SciencesApproved
IG7XIGETC Area 7 - Ethnic StudiesApproved

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
4.0
Maximum Credit Units
4.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours4.08.0
Laboratory Hours0.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
48.0
Laboratory
0.0
Total
48.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
96.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
96.0

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

EWRT D001A or EWRT D01AH or ESL D005.

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

(See general education pages for the requirements this course meets.)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and visual aids (power point, videos, and Internet)

Discussion of assigned reading

Discussion and problem solving performed in class

Quiz and examination review performed in class

Homework and extended projects

Collaborative learning and small group exercises

Guest speakers

Field observation and field trips

Assignments

  1. Reading
    1. Assigned readings that center the lives and experiences of Black and/or African Americans
    2. Supplemental readings are assigned to provide more in-depth knowledge on specific topics and issues
  2. Writing
    1. One four page paper analyzing one's personal experience as it relates to the Black and/or African American experience in the United States
    2. Critical thinking questions based on assigned readings
    3. Paper analyzing a current issue impacting Black and/or African American people in the United States
    4. Film review papers based on films associated with the course.
  3. Group Project
    1. Students will participate in a group project in conjunction with a specific topic pertaining to the course
    2. Each individual will write a paper analyzing the topic of their project
  4. Interactive Class Discussions
    1. Students will actively participate in weekly class discussions on various topics throughout the course
    2. Students will reflect on and discuss what they are learning in the course
  5. Civic participation and learning
    1. Students will participate in an event outside of the classroom setting that connections to a theme of the course and engage with other participants at the event
    2. Students will analyze their civic engagement experience by writing a reflective paper

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Writing assignments such as analytical essays and a research paper to evaluate student's ability to synthesize course material and to discuss, critically, issues related to the Black and/or African American community
  2. Group Project. Instructor evaluation and an analytical paper will be administered to evaluate the student's ability to work in collaboration with others
  3. Comprehensive midterm and final exams with content from the course to evaluate student's ability to provide a historical and aesthetic understanding of African American Studies
  4. Film reviews to assess the student's ability to critically analyze the way media and popular culture impact the expectations placed on Black and or African Americans.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • None.
Essential College Facilities:
  • None.

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Hayes III, Floyd W., "A Turbulent Voyage: Readings in African American Studies, 3rd Edition.", Rowan & Littlefield, 2000.
Karenga, Maulana, "Introduction to Black Studies, 4th Edition. University of Sankore Press, 2010.
Anderson, Talmadge and James Stewart, "Introduction to African American Studies," Black Classic Press, 2007

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisher
Leonard, David J. and C. Richard King, Ed., "Commodified and Criminalized: New Racism and African Americans in Contemporary Sports", Rowan & Littlefield, 2011.
Bonilla-Silva, Eduardo., "Racism without Racists Color-Blind Racism and the Persistence of Racial Inequality in America - Fourth Edition", Rowan & Littlefield, 2013
Giddings, Paula. "When And Where I Enter The Impact of Black Women on Race and Sex in America", Harper-Collins, 2007.
Collins, Patricia Hill,"Black Feminist Thought: Knowledge, Consciousness, and the Politics of Empowerment", Psychology Press, 2000.
Costa Vargas, Joao H, "Never Meant to Survive Genocide and Utopias in Black Diaspora Communities," Rowan & Littlefield, 2008.
Gates, Henry Louis, "Call and Response: Key Debates in African American Studies," Norton, W. W. & Company, Inc., 2010.
Eyerman, Ron, "Cultural Trauma: Slavery and the Formation of African American Identity," University Press, Cambridge, 2001.
Davidson, Jeanette, "African American Studies," Edinburgh University Press, 2010.
Ajani ya Azibo, Daudi, "African-Centered Psychology Culture-Focusing for Multicultural Competence," Carolina Academic Press, 2003.
Nelson, Timothy, "Every Time I Feel the Spirit: Religious Experience and Ritual in an African American Church," NYU Press, 2004.
Staples, Robert. "Black Women in America." Chicago: Nelson-Hall Publishers, 1986.
BaNikongo, Nikongo, "Leading Issues in African American Studies," Carolina Academic Press, 1997.
Noliwe M. Rooks, "White Money/Black Power: The Surprising History of African American Studies and the Crisis of Race in Higher Education", Beacon Press, 2007.
hooks, bell. "Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center," South End Press, 2000.
Johnson,E. Patrick and Mae G. Henderson, "Black Queer Studies: A Critical Anthology," Duke University Press, 2005
Somerville, Siobhan B., "Queering the Color Line: Race and the Invention of Homosexuality in American Culture," Duke University Press, 2000
James, Stanlie M., Frances Smith Foster, and Beverly Guy-Sheftall, eds. "Still Brave: The Evolution of Black Women's Studies," The Feminist Press, 2009.
Pipes McAdoo, Harriette Ed., "Black Families, Fourth Edition," Sage Publications, 2007.
Battle, Juan and Sandra L. Barnes, Eds. "Black Sexualities: Probing Powers, Passions, Practices, and Policies," The University of Rutgers, 2010.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Examine the origins of African American Studies as an academic discipline
  • Recognize the conceptual framework of Afrocentrism as a critique of the historic Eurocentric pedagogical approach to learning within the United States educational system
  • Investigate the significance of African traditions, values, beliefs, and histories as it relates to members of the Diaspora living within the United States
  • Identify and analyze the historic, social, and cultural impact that race, gender, sexuality, and identity play within institutions within the United States and how that has affected people who identify as Black and/or African American
  • Evaluate contemporary academic, economic, and systematic challenges facing the discipline of African American Studies
  • Acknowledge and appreciate the social, cultural, and political significance of Black and/or African American people, living in the United States, have made on society

CSLOs

  • Examine the intersections of social constructions like race, class, gender, and sexual orientation as it relates to the Black and/or African American experience.

  • Analyze the impact of institutionalized racism, classism, sexism, homophobia, and other forms of oppression and discrimination on the economic and social conditions of Black and/or African Americans in the United States.

  • Examine and evaluate the historical forces and issues that gave rise to African American Studies.

  • Identify and analyze contemporary issues impacting people who identify as Black and/or African American within United States society.

Outline

  1. Examine the origins of African American Studies as an academic discipline
    1. Understand and identify the social movements that directly impacted the creation of African American Studies as a academic discipline
    2. Examine the impact African American Studies has had on other disciplines
    3. Recognize the interdisciplinary components of African American Studies
    4. Explore the impact of Black Women's Studies on the development of African American Studies
  2. Recognize the conceptual framework of Afrocentrism as a critique of the historic Eurocentric pedagogical approach to learning within the United States educational system
    1. Understand the theory of Afrocentricity
    2. Explore the main components of African American Studies
    3. Critique the Eurocentric pedagogical approach to learning practiced within the educational system of the United States
  3. Investigate the significance of African traditions, values, beliefs, and histories as it relates to members of the Diaspora living within the United States
    1. Understand the social, political, and cultural practices of the early inhabitants of the continent of Africa
    2. Compare and contrast ancient African religious traditions with subsequent and contemporary Black Christian and Islamic traditions
    3. Review and understand the Maafa and its impact on the formation of people of African ancestry living in the United States
  4. Identify and analyze the historic, social, and cultural impact that race, gender, sexuality, and identity play within institutions within the United States and how that has affected people who identify as Black and/or African American
    1. Analyze the connection between the formation of the United States of America and the institution of slavery
    2. Examine the impact of capitalism on the institution of slavery
    3. Understand and analyze the Theory of Intersectionality
    4. Explore the role of power and privilege and critique their impact on United States society
    5. Analyze the different systematic forces that have oppressed Black and/or African Americans throughout their history in the United States
    6. Explore and examine the different ways that Black and/or African Americans have internalized their oppression
  5. Evaluate contemporary academic, economic, and systematic challenges facing the discipline of African American Studies
    1. Identify the ways in which African American Studies' interdisciplinary approach has affected the development of topics and trends in the field
    2. Examine the impact of the racial achievement gap as it relates to Black and/or African American students
    3. Review the current political and economic trends in higher education and understand how those trends impact the discipline of African American Studies
  6. Acknowledge and appreciate the social, cultural, and political significance of Black and/or African American people, living in the United States, have made on society
    1. Analyze the history of Black and/or African American artistic, musical and literary expression
    2. Understand the connection Black and/or African American identified people have as oppressed people living in the United States
    3. Examine the ways that Black and/or African Americans have organized for social justice and fought for basic human rights for all people
    4. Explore the impact Black and/or African Americans have had on the political structure of the United States
    5. Understand the diversity of the Black family and analyze the impact institutional racism has had on the development of the Black family
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