AFST 201-Introduction to Africana Studies-general course description
4 semester hours
Professor will vary (Fall 2008-Rosenberg, Scott)
No Prerequisite
The course will focus on African diaspora at its intersection with the study of “human behavior, relationships and institutions. Most historic events in the diaspora will be studied (e.g. The Civil Rights Movement, The Trans Atlantic slave passage, The New Negro Movement and Pan Africanism).
Introduction to Africana Studies will:
AFST 270-Africa Field Study
2-6 semester hours
Professor will vary (SMR 2008-Rosenberg, Scott)
No Prerequisite
AFST 490-Africana Studies Independent Studies
1-4 semester hours
Professor will vary (Director’s approval required)
Prerequisite: Completion of Africana Studies minor and/or Director’s approval
AFST 492-Africana Studies Senior Project
1-4 semester hours
Professor will vary (Director’s approval required)
Prerequisite: Completion of Africana Studies minor and/or Director’s approval
English 380: Multi-Ethnic Literature of the United States.
4 semester hours
Askeland, Lori
Prerequisite: ENGL 200
Often when we study "non-white" literature, we study it in segregated groups--African American literature in one course over here, Latin American literature in another course over there. And even in American literature classes, the ethnic picture that can emerge is often just "black" and "white.” But, of course, at some level we all know that there were African Americans, Latinos, Native people, Asian Americans, here during virtually all of "American history"--some for much longer than Europeans. And from the earliest days, a rich history of cultural exchanges and inter-ethnic dialogue arose between African Americans, native people, Latinos, and others. Writers will include: Phyllis Wheatley, Samson Occom, David Walker, Maria Ruiz de Burton, John Rollins Ridge, W.E.B. Du Bois, Paule Marshall, Walter Mosley, and others.
HIST 171C 1W. African Societies to 1500
4 semester hours
Rosenberg, Scott
Prerequisite: None
This class will cover the major themes and issues of African history before the arrival of Europeans and the Atlantic Slave Trade. Topics will range from the African roots of human society to placing ancient Egypt within African history. We will also examine the role of Islam in Africa. In particular, this class will explore the role of oral traditions and "myth" in African societies and will attempt to ascertain their usefulness as historical documents. Additionally, in our examination of these societies we will focus on the roles of trade, environment, and religion in African political and social systems. Writing intensive.
HIST 370 1W. Migrant Labor and HIV/AIDS in southern Africa
4 semester hours
Rosenberg, Scott
Prerequisite: One course in history or permission of instructor.
This class will examine the connection between colonial policies that led to the development of a migrant labor system and the eventual explosion of AIDS in southern Africa in the late 1980s through the present. The colonial powers stripped Africans of their land and imposed taxes on men to force them into migrant labor, tearing apart the African family. Once at the mines/urban areas, the colonial powers relied partially on alcohol and prostitution as a means of controlling African labor. The social and economic patterns established during colonial rule created the conditions for the spread of AIDS. We will also look at the origins of AIDS in Africa, and how it has spread. Lastly, this class will examine how African cultural attitudes have influenced the fight to stop the spread of AIDS. The class will mix lectures with the discussion of several monographs. Writing intensive.
SOCI 277 C/R 1W & 2W Islam and Islamic Societies
4 semester hours
Pankhurst, Jerry
Pre-requisites: None
This course will provide a broad introduction to the religion of Islam, accompanied by an examination of the connections between Islam and the varied life of Muslim societies and of Muslim minority communities in non-Muslim societies. Given the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the West's military reprisals and subsequent reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan, the war in Iraq, the ongoing struggle of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the devastation of the 2004 tsunami in Indonesia and elsewhere in the Indian Ocean basin, and other problem situations, knowledge of these issues has become of highest priority. We will seek to understand the complex sources of conflict in areas in which Islam is implicated in some way; we will also try to become acquainted with the rich cultural life of Muslims. We will consider Muslim societies all over the world, but, in support of the minor in Africana Studies, we will give a special emphasis to Islam in Africa and to African American Islam.
Course format: lecture/seminar, with much group discussion. Graded Requirements: A variety of writing exercises throughout the term, oral presentations, examinations and a term project. Students should expect one or more alternative class meetings during the evening to accommodate guest speakers. This course is Writing Intensive (W) and can be taken for either "C" or "R" credit in General Education.
THDN 210C Dance Ethnology
4 semester hours
Chang, Shih-Ming Li
Prerequisite: None
