Spring 2008
Below are the undergraduate courses for Spring 2008. This list is tentative and subject to change without notification.
100 Level
A100 African American Dance Company (2 cr.)
Emphasis on ethnic and jazz traditions, although other genres are regularly performed. Repertoire varies from semester to semester. Participation in on- and off-campus concerts, workshops, and lecture demonstrations required. Previous dance training desirable but not essential. May be repeated individually or in combination with A110 or A120 for a maximum of 12 credit hours. P: Consent of instructor by audition.
A110 Afro-American Choral Ensemble (2 cr.)
Performance of music by and about blacks, including spirituals, gospel, art songs, and excerpts from operas and musicals. Repertoire varies from semester to semester. Participation in on- and off-campus concerts, workshops, and lecture demonstrations required. Ability to read music desirable but not essential. May be repeated individually or in combination with A100 or A120 for a maximum of 12 credit hours. PP: Consent of instructor by audition.
A120 Soul Revue/Black Popular Music Ensemble (2 cr.)
Introduces the richness and depth of black popular tradition through authentic performance practices. Repertoire varies from semester to semester. Participation in on- and off-campus concerts, workshops, and lecture demonstrations required. Ability to read music desirable but not essential. May be repeated individually or in combination with A100 or A110 for a maximum of 12 credit hours. PP: Consent of instructor by audition.
A142 Introduction to Writing and the Study of Black Literature (4 cr.) A & H
Composition and literature course that teaches the skills of writing. Structuring of ideas through analysis and practice of various techniques of paragraph and essay development. Reading and discussion of representative African American writings, including poetry, short stories, sermons, novels, and drama. A141-A142 fulfill fundamental skills requirement, but do not count toward major. P for A142: A141.
A150 Survey of the Culture of Black Americans (3 cr.) A & H, CSA, TFR
The culture of blacks in America viewed from a broad interdisciplinary approach, employing resources from history, literature, folklore, religion, sociology, and political science. Required for the major.
A156 Jim Crow and Apartheid (3 cr.) S&H, CSA
A comparative perspective on American race relations, specifically the similarities and differences of the struggles against Jim Crow in America and against Apartheid in South Africa. In both places, the late twentieth century witnessed a revolt against the legal and philosophical framework of white supremacy.
200 Level
A203 Studying Blacks of the New World (3 cr.) S & H, CSA
A comparative study of the cultural, historical, and socioeconomic life patterns of African Americans and diaspora-based Africans in the United States.
A210 Black Women in the Diaspora (3 cr.) S & H, CSA
Interdisciplinary examination of salient aspects of black women's history, identity, and experience, including policies, cultural assumptions, and knowledge systems that affect black women's lives. While the primary focus is North America, the lives of black women in other cultural settings within the African diaspora are also examined.
A263 Contemporary Social Issues in the Afro-American Community (3 cr.) S & H
A seminar, primarily designed for sophomores and juniors, directed toward critical analysis of selected topics germane to the future socioeconomic and political position of African Americans.
A265 Sports and the Afro-American Experience (3 cr.) , CSA
The impact of African American sports heroes, famous teams, and annual sporting events on the shaping of African American culture and the combating of American racism.
A290 Sociocultural Perspective of Afro-American Music (3 cr.) A & H, CSA
Survey of cultural, social, and political attitudes that influenced blacks in the development of and participation in blues, jazz, urban black popular music, and classical music.
300 Level
A350 Black Atlantic (3 cr.) A & H, CSA
This course is an interdisciplinary and comparative study of historical, cultural, and political issues related to Africa and the African diaspora (the Americas and Europe). Emphasis will also be on team-teaching using IUB faculty. Course will be of interest to students in all university departments and schools.
A356 Afro-American History 2 (3 cr.) , CSA
1900 to the present. Migration north, NAACP, Harlem Renaissance, postwar freedom movement. Credit given for only one of A356 or HIST A356.
A360 Slavery: Worldwide Perspective (3 cr.) S & H, CSA
Examines several aspects of classical, indigenous, and modern political/social bondage.
A380 Contemporary Black American Writing (3 cr.) A & H, CSA, R: A379
The black experience in America as it has been reflected since World War II in the works of outstanding Afro-American writers: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama.
A391 Black Nationalism (3 cr.) S & H
Consquences of the black diaspora in North America; shifting views of blacks toward their native continent; analysis of current geographic, economic, and political relationships.
A393 History of Jazz (MUS M393/Z393) (3 cr.) A & H, CSA
Periods, major performers and composers, trends, influences, stylistic features, and related materials. Credit not given for both A393 and M393.
400 Level
A400 African American Cinematic Experience (Topics) (3 cr.)
Intensive study and analysis of selected Afro-American studies problems and issues of limited scope, approached within an interdisciplinary format. Varied topics that cut across departmental concentration areas. May be repeated for credit if topic differs.
A405 Civil Rights & Black Power Movements, 1954-1974
(3 cr.) S & H
Examines the fight for civil rights by protest organizations such as Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee, and Congress on Racial Equality; the emergence of black leaders such as King, Farmer, and Malcolm X; the challenge posed by Black Power advocates in the Black Panthers and Black Muslims; and the changes in American society made by the black revolution.
A452 Historical Issues in Black Education (3 cr.) S & H
Education of black Americans and its relationship to the African American experience. Trends and patterns in the education of black Americans as they relate to the notions of education "for whom and for what."
A486 Internship in Afro-American Studies (3 cr.)
Directed readings, field research, research papers. Certain
internship experiences may require research skills. May be repeated
once for a total of 6 credits. P: Junior or senior status with 15 credit hours in African American and African Diaspora Studies and project approved by instructor.
A495 Individual Readings in Afro-American Studies
Each reading course must be taken for 3 credit hours. Students may
repeat the same course once or elect a second reading course for a
combined maximum of 6 credit hours. Students who wish to enroll in any of the following courses must (1) secure the written consent of the instructor and the departmental chair and (2) file with the departmental secretary an approved list of readings completed during the semester.