AFAM203

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AFAM203

Introduction to African American History: 1619-1861 AFAM203 SP

Crosslistings: HIST241, AMST237

Spring 97 Availability (Last Updated on Sat Mar 8 05:00:06 EST 1997 )

Section  Limit  Enrollment  Available
  01       50      50         0

This course is designed specifically to provide incoming students with a broad understanding of the various early historical struggles which shaped the lives of African Americans. The journey begins with the advent of Atlanticist mercantile capitalism during the C16th and concludes with the rumblings of the Great American Slave Rebellion in 1861. This course will further expose students to some of the key debates and controversies which have made this field such a lively and passionate area of historical inquiry. How many Africans were wrenched from their homelands? Did racism precede slavery or slavery produce racism? Did slavery destroy, enhance or dilute African culture? What was the relationship between slaves and free blacks North and South? What historiographical challenge to such questions is offered by the burgeoning literature on the history of black women? We will also compare the experiences of other New World Africans. One central theme we shall pursue is the significance of being African in America during two centuries of slavery both for black Americans as well as the U.S. as a whole.

MAJOR READINGS

Walter Rodney, HOW EUROPE UNDERDEVELOPED AFRICA
Steven Mintz, ed., AFRICAN AMERICAN VOICES
Vincent Harding, THERE IS A RIVER
Gwendolyn Hall, AFRICANS IN COLONIAL LOUISIANA
Sylvia Frey, WATER FROM THE ROCK
Eugene Genovese, REBELLION TO REVOLUTION
Linda Brent, INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF A SLAVE GIRL

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Mid-term and final take-home paper.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Course requirements include regular attendance at two weekly lectures; weekly readings of c. 200 pages; discussion participation; document analysis; mid-term in-class exam; and, final take-home paper. Grades are as follows: 33% for document; 33% for midterm; 34% for final paper. Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office.

COURSE FORMAT: Discussion Lecture

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UG Credit: 1.00 Gen Ed Area & Dept: SBS HIST

Prerequisites: None

Section 01: Kerr-Ritchie, J; Times: M.W.... 1:10PM;; Grading Mode: A/F; Registration Preference (1 high to 6 low, 0=Excluded) Sr: 3, Jr: 2, So: 1, Fr: 1; No Major Preference Given

Last Updated on MAR-10-1997

About the Photo:

Reference:

Time-Life Books, ed. WINDS OF REVOLUTION: TIME FRAME A.D. 1700 - 1800. Alexandria, Virginia: Time-Life Books, Inc., 1990

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