HIST 30 - History of the African American

Transfer Status

CSU/UC

Unit(s)

3.00

• Lecture: 51.00 Contact hours/102.00 Out of class hours/153.00 Total hours/3.00 Unit(s)
• Total: 51.00 Contact hours/102.00 Out of class hours/153.00 Total hours/3.00 Unit(s)

Course Description: This course is an introduction to the history of African Americans in the United States and provides a broad and critical analysis of what it means to be black and to live in America. The course examines the experiences of Africans in America from the colonial era to the present. Major themes include the influence of the African tradition, the struggle for equality, and contributions of individual African Americans to the growth and development of the nation. The course also introduces students to the historical reasoning skills necessary to form their own understanding of the past, and of contemporary society.

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Describe the importance of the African tradition as it relates to the African American experience.
2. Explain the principle elements of the struggle for the civil and legal equality of African Americans for each of the major eras of American history: the American Revolution, the Civil War/Reconstruction, the World Wars, the Civil Rights Era and the Modern Age of Black America.
3. Describe the contributions of individual African Americans to the growth and the development of American society.
4. Describe the impact of the United States Constitution and various Supreme Court decisions on African Americans and the nation.
5. Find, study, evaluate, and interpret primary and secondary sources, synthesize information, and compose arguments grounded in knowledge of the past.
6. Employ their knowledge of the past and ability to analyze information to develop a critical consciousness of self, society, and the world.

Topic Titles / Suggested Time Topic

Lecture

1. Class Activities
2. Collaborative Group Work
3. Group Discussions
4. Guest Speakers
5. Homework: Students are required to complete two hours of outside-of-class homework for each hour of lecture
6. Lecture
7. Multimedia Presentations

1. Exams/Tests
2. Quizzes
3. Research Projects
4. Oral Presentation
5. Written Assignments
6. Essays and research papers
7. Class Discussion
8. This course includes a 2500 word writing requirement.

Reading Assignments

1. How does the author of "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl" use narrative structure to convey themes of oppression, resistance, and agency, and how did Harriet Jacobs' experiences challenge or reinforce assumptions about gender, race, and power dynamics during the era of African slavery in America? In a reflective essay, consider Jacobs' responses to her circumstances and whether she should, given the expectations of women’s behavior in the 19th century, be criticized, or viewed as a victim. Was she guilty of committing a “sin?” Or was she a moral and virtuous woman displaying courage, strength, and independence?
2. There is a growing movement in America to reform the criminal justice system and address issues of racial bias and discrimination. Attorney Michelle Alexander in her book, "The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness," explores the numerous ways in which the criminal justice system perpetuates racial inequality and discrimination in the United States. Research has shown that people of color are disproportionately represented at every step of the criminal justice process, from arrest to sentencing. What are some potential explanations for these disparities, and what policy changes might help to address them? Be prepared to discuss in class.

Writing Assignments

1. The 14th Amendment is often described as one of the most important constitutional amendments in American history. In an essay of 500-750 words, summarize the conditions surrounding the creation of the 14th Amendment. Why was the amendment so significant for African Americans after the Civil War, and what were the major consequences of its passage? How did the 14th Amendment change the legal landscape for African Americans, and what were the ongoing challenges and obstacles to full citizenship and equal rights that persisted after its ratification?
2. Write a research paper (2000-2500 words) on the impact of the Second World War on African American men and women, with a particular focus on their experiences in the military and on the home front. Evaluate the ways in which the war both challenged and reinforced racial barriers and assess the role that African Americans played during and after the war in the broader struggle for civil rights.

Out-of-Class Assignments

1. Prepare a mini-lecture and handout on your assigned term/topic in African American History. Prepare to speak for 6-7 minutes. The handout must include: an image, basic facts (who, what, when, where, why, how), historical significance, what you found most interesting, and source references.
2. In the current digital age, the prevalence of misinformation and disinformation is a constant challenge that college students must learn to navigate in order to determine the truth. Employ the skills of a professional fact checker such as “lateral reading” and “click restraint,” and search the Internet for specific topics in African American History. Evaluate the credibility of the website based on the “SIFT” method for evaluating online sources. Then write a critique of the website. Consider if the site has credible, authoritative sources; if the site has any bias or a particular agenda; cross-check multiple sources to verify inconsistencies; and check the site for the currency of information. Be prepared to share your findings with the class.

Franklin, John Hope. (2020). From Slavery to Freedom: A History of African Americans. McGraw Hill, 10th. 9780073513348.

Bennett, Lerone. (2003). Before the Mayflower. Johnson Publishing Co., Inc., Millennium. 9781684220403.

Hine, Darlene Clark. (2018). The African American Odyssey. Prentice Hall, 7th. 9780135496657.

Carson C., Lapsansky-Werner E., Nash G. (2019). The Struggle for Freedom. Pearson, 3rd. 9780134828442.

Other Learning Materials

Supplemental resources (films, primary & secondary sources, internet references, etc.)

Ethnic Studies (Masters Required)

History (Masters Required)