African-American History: 142 is a survey of the Black Experience within the United States of America from 1865 to the present. Therefore, students will observe and analyze the social, political and economic themes and topics concerning the contributions and challenges of African-Americans throughout these modern times. Although domestic issues are prioritized, relationships between African people in the United States and others throughout the African Diaspora shall be studied to note and understand their connections.
Objectives: This course, like all others offered by Dr. Windham is designed to assist students in improving their skills in reading, critical thinking, logical reasoning, clarifying, articulating, summarizing, synthesizing and listening; stimulate dialogue and enhance knowledge of bibliographical sources; acquaint students with the tools for analyzing the masses, personalities and events as well as their effect on the functioning of society; help the students understand continuity and change in historical development; teach students to articulate the interrelatedness of historical themes to other disciplines especially in the social sciences, humanities, natural sciences and fine arts; and highlight the significant contributions of the world's cultures and civilizations.
Expectations: All students are expected and required to be present at each class session and on time! If a student accumulates more than 3 unexcused absences the student will lose a grade rank. Any student will be considered late if you arrive after attendance is taken. Three tardies will be equivalent to one absence. All assignments are to be submitted in time in order to receive full credit.
Grading:
Examinations 2-3 and 1 Book Review = 1/3
Research (Term) Paper = 1/3
Comprehensive Final Examination 1/3
A=90-100%, B=80-89%, C=70-79%, D=60-69%
Extra Credit Assignments may be offered to the entire class: tba.
Texts:
From Slavery To Freedom: A History of African-Americans by John Hope
Franklin and Long Memory: The Black Experience In America by Mary Frances
Berry & John Blassingame.
The format for both the Book Review and Term Paper will be provided
in class and on the webpage.
Course Outline Assignments
I. Reconstruction Era: 1865-1877
A. The War’s End, Abolition, & Assassination
B. Presidential Restoration vs. Congressional Reconstruction
C. Black Participation & Progressive Leadership
D. Racial Politics & America’s “New Order”
II. The Glorious Failure Ushers In The Nadir: 1877-1900
A. Northern Abandonment & Southern Recalcitrance
B. Presidential Electoral Politics & Southern Redemption
C. American Apartheid: Violence, Disfranchisement & Segregation
III. Strategies, Ideologies, & Realities: 1877-1900
A. Labor, Education, Citizenship & Survival
B. Economic Nationalism & Self Determination
C. The New Black Communities
D. Assimilation, Exodusters, & Expatriation
IV. Black Nationalism & U.S. Imperialism: 1895-1915
A. The Spanish American War & U.S. Racial Politics
B. Southern Trees Bare Strange Fruit: Lynching & Terrorism
C. World War I & The Color-line
D. “From Field To Factory”: Black Migration 1915-
V. The African-American Renaissance: 1915-1932
A. The Talented Tenth & Mass Action
B. Artistic Expressions In Black, Brown, Beige, White & Blue
C. Harlem & The Making of Black Metropolis
D. Negritude At Home & Abroad
VI. How Far Can You Fall From A Basement Window? 1929-1941
A. The Great Depression
B. The New Deal & African-Americans
C. Black Proletarians & Lumpen-Proletarians
D. Joe Louis & Jesse Owens: Credits To Their Race!
VII. Blacks & The Modern World: 1941-1953
A. World War II At Home & Abroad
B. African Nationalism, Pan-Africanism
C. Postwar Prosperity & Cold War Reactions
D. A Nation Within A Nation
VIII. Postwar Prosperity & The Civil Rights Movement: 1953-1977
A. Domestic Trends & New Protest Strategies
B. Legal Challenges, Moral Suasion & Direct Action
C. African Liberation, Black Nationalism & Revolutionary Conscientiousness
D. Black Student Protests & African-American Studies
IX. Our Time Has Come! 1977-2001
A. African-Americans & the New World Order
B. Progressive and Conservative Socio-Political Trends
C. Educating Everyone With African-American History
D. The Ancestors, Living & The Future!