AAS 101 Introduction to African American Studies

An introductory examination of the African American experience. Acquaints students with the trends, issues and forces that have shaped that experience; considers the concepts of cultural adaptation, institutional development, and group self-definition; and surveys the contemporary status and condition of African Americans.

AAS 177/178/179 Special Topics

Each time offered, this course will explore a topic on an experimental basis, based on student interests and needs. This course can be used in completing requirements for the major or minor in African American Studies.

AAS 201 Foundations of Knowledge in African American Studies

Examines the empirical and theoretical foundations of African American studies, the evolution of the field, and the role of key scholars in its development

AAS 221 African American Social Movements

Explores the collective efforts undertaken by African Americans to elevate their group status in American society. Analyzes the struggle for human freedom through an examination of resistance to chattel slavery, the quest for civil rights, and the response to structured inequality.

AAS 231 Urbanization and the African American Community

Examines the urban African American community. Studies relevant migratory patterns, and the impact of urbanization on the culture, politics, and economic status of African Americans. Considers public policy issues involving African Americans in an advanced industrialized society.

AAS 232 Politics in the African American Experience

This course is designed to provide the student with a knowledge of Black political behavior in the United States in its evolution from protest to contemporary institutional politics

AAS 233 Public Policy and African Americans

This course examines the implications of major and evolving national public policies and policy alternatives for economically vulnerable and/or historically disadvantaged segments of the population, particularly African Americans. Such policies include those related to social welfare, education, campus climate, employment, mass communication, housing, affirmative action, and drug and crime control.

AAS 242 Black Women: Politics and Racism

This Course is an introduction to the study and analysis of American politics related to African American women. The course will explore the ways in which political issues affect Black women differently than African American men, White men, and White women. Considerable attention will be given to the way we define the political realm as opposed to the non political realm when discussing groups that have traditionally been marginalized or excluded from political life.

AAS 277/278/279 Special Topics

Each time offered, this course will explore a topic on an experimental basis, based on student interests and needs. This course can be used in completing requirements for the major or minor in African American Studies.

AAS 297/298/299 Independent Study

Independent study of a select topic under staff supervision. Possible approaches include library research, field research, and participant-observer experiences.
Prereq: Department permission.

AAS 311 The African Diaspora

Examines the African diaspora—the dispersion of persons of African descent throughout the world. It studies the process of dispersion, examines select diasporic communities, and considers the impact of the African presence on world development.

AAS 312 African Civilization

This course is designed to provide the student with an interdisciplinary knowledge of centers of African civilization from antiquity to the 1960s. Those centers include ancient Egypt, Songhai, Kilwa and Monomotapa.

AAS 313 Contemporary Africa: Prospects

This course serves as a survey of Africa’s contemporary political economy. In examining postcolonial developments, the course focuses on regional and national strategies for social transformation.

AAS 351 The Social Context of African American Health

Examines the health status of African Americans. Explores the interplay between environment, biology and culture; folk and popular health practices; and the organization and delivery of health care.

AAS 361 The African American Family

AAS 362 Black Woman: Religion And Sexism

This is an introduction to the study of the African American religion in America and the role of Black women in religion. Particular attention will be paid to how African American religion has limited Black women and how they have dealt with the restrictions placed upon them. Additionally, the course will examine the historical evolution of the various major Black denominations in America and their political and social roles in African American Communities.

AAS 370 Films of the African American Experience

This course examines African American literature that has been adapted to film. Film history about African American involvement in the industry, including filmmakers is studied. The course involves developing techniques of analyzing fiction and drama as well as film adaptations of the African American experience.

AAS 377/378/379 Special Topics

Each time offered, this course will explore a topic on an experimental basis, based on student interests and needs. This course can be used in completing requirements for the major or minor in African American Studies. Prereq: Department permission.

AAS 401 African American Studies Research Seminar

Provides intensive exposure to research methods in African American studies, and offers an opportunity for primary research in the field.

AAS 441 Law in the African American Experience

Examines the African American legal experience from the Atlantic slave trade to the present. Reviews the formation of the Constitution, the law of slavery, Reconstruction-era developments, Jim Crow segregation, and recent legal trends in areas such as education, voting and employment. Emphasizes law as a social process.

AAS 477/478/479 Special Topics

Each time offered, this course will explore a topic on an experimental basis, based on student interests and needs. This course can be used in completing requirements for the major or minor in African American Studies.

AAS 497/498/499 Independent Study

Independent study of a select topic under staff supervision. Possible approaches include library research, field research, and participant-observer experiences.
Prereq: Department permission.