African-American History is a survey of the Black Experience within what became the United States of America in relationship to modern global events particularly occurring between 1400 and 1865. Included within the study are African Background, the Atlantic Slave-trade, European Colonization of America, the Age of Revolution, US Expansionism, Ante-bellum Slavery, Sectionalism between the North and South, and the Civil War and Emancipation.
Objectives:
History 141 is designed to assist students
in understanding the course content and 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 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 two unexcused absences the student will lose a grade rank. Any
student will be considered tardy if you arrive after attendance is taken.
Three tardies will be equivalent to one absence. All assignments are to
be submitted on time in order to receive full credit. Examinations, research
and class participation are established as measures of accomplishment.
Grading:
Class Participation is required in
order to elicit dialogue, interest, and understanding. It reinforces my
understanding of your learning and generates ideas and discussion. You
are not penalized for your lack of it. However, you are recognized for
your participation to the class.
Extra Credit assignments may be offered to the entire class:TBA.
Texts:
Term Paper: A research paper 7-10 pages on any historical topic within the course outline due on:
I will instruct you on the assignment formats in class and with supplemental written directions.
History 141: African-American History
Course Outline: Readings will be assigned in texts.
I. African Background:
A. Origins & Development
B. Culture, Government and Economics
C.Close Encounters of A Strange Kind
II.The African Diaspora:
A. European Colonization of America
B.Seeds of Racial Oppression & Exploitation
C. The Atlantic Slave-trade
D.Plantation Economy
III.North American Colonialism &
Racism:
A. Red, White & Black: Encounters
& Interactions in America.
B. Involuntary & Temporary Servitude
C.Regionalism & Race Relations
D.The Law of Slavery
IV.The Age of Revolution:
A. Servile and Colonial Protests
B. Slavery & Revolutionary Ideology
C. The American Revolution & Constitution
D. African Nationalism in the Americas
V.Westward Ho!
A. The Suppression of the African Slave-trade
B. Manifest Destiny: Civilization &
Barbarism
C. The War of 1812 & the Era of Nationalism
D. King Cotton & the Domestic Slave-trade
VI.Antebellum Black Life:
A. The "Peculiar Institution
B. Slave Resistance
C. Quasi-Free Blacks
VII.Sectionalism & Slavery:
A. Black Resistance, Antislavery, and
Abolition
B. The Pro-Slavery Defense
C. A Nation Divided : Regional Concerns,
Conflicts & Comity
VIII.The Civil War:
A. Dixie Challenges The Union
B. The Black Initiative Towards Liberation
C. Victory, Emancipation, & New Realities
Windham: 141 Sample Research Topic for
Book Reviews and Research Papers:
African Cultural Heritage: West Africa
Towards the Eve of the Modern Era (15th Century)
African Civilization: Ghana, Mali, Songhay...
State Formation, Trade, Spirituality
Islamic Expansionism & Influences
on Indigenous Africa
Pre-Colonial African Servitude (Slavery)
Pre-Columbian African Presence In America
European Expansionism: Capitalism &
Slavery
The Atlantic Slave-trade
Plantation Economy In America: The Caribbean
& Mainland America
Caribbean & Latin American Slavery
The Modern African Diaspora
Maroons & African Liberation In America
African & Native American Relations
English Colonial Slavery In North America
North American African Colonial Communities
New England Colonial Slavetrading
Virginia & Maryland as Seedbeds of
Slavery In North America
African-American Culture & Colonial
Racist Law
Black Liberation & the American Revolution
The Caribbean Revolts & the Haitian
Revolution
The Constitution, Founding Fathers &
Slavery
Thomas Jefferson: Blind Enlightenment
African-American Abolitionists & Freedom
Fighters
Quasi-Free Black Life & Status
Africans on the American Frontier
United States Slave Culture
Ante-bellum Slave Resistance
The Underground Railroad
American Racism & African Colonization:
Liberia
The Domestic Slave-trade
African-Americans in the US Military
The Black American Family In Slavery &
Freedom
Sisters Under Siege: African-American
Women In Slavery & Freedom
Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Benjamin
Banneker, Frederick Douglass, Richard Allen
Black Insurrection: Gabriel Prosser, Denmark
Vessey, Nat Turner...
African Cultural Expressions of Suffering
& Resistance: Music, Art, Folklore, Spirituality...
Narratives & Autobiographical Accounts
of African-Americans
Notice that you are not restricted to these topics. These are samples of papers addressed by former students of mine and scholars over time.
Windham 141: Instructions for Writing
Book Reviews and Term Papers:
Here are some links to African-American
History sites.
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