Introduction to African-American History

Course Times & Enrolment

This course is currently unavailable.

Course Summary

This course provides an introductory overview of African-American history from the arrival of the first Africans in what would become the United States, to the present day. In addition to a chronological survey of key events, the course considers the meanings and struggles for freedom, the experience of both Black men and women, the diversity of Black political thought, the role of the church and other Black institutions. This course focuses on American history through the lens of the African-American experience, and therefore students should also expect to gain an introductory understanding of the history of the United States.

Course Details

Pre-requisites for enrolment

None.

Content of Course

The course begins by exploring the development of race-based enslavement and slave culture before considering the impact of the American Revolution, the rise of abolitionism and the experience of the Civil War. After examining freedom in the post-emancipation era, it explores topics such as the rise of segregation, the Great Migration and Harlem Renaissance, the emergence of the Civil Rights Movement and Black nationalism before concluding with the present day.

Teaching method(s)

The course will be lecture-based with class discussion. Written and audio-visual primary and secondary sources are used in class to bring the history to life and enhance understanding. Students will be given a small amount of homework each week (usually analysis of primary sources) to prepare for the class discussion.

The course aims not only to teach African-American history but also to introduce students to the wealth of resources on the subject. Classroom teaching is therefore complemented by an extensive repository of curated online resources, accessed via links on Learn, for students to learn more about topics that particularly interest them in their own time.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. critically discuss and interpret primary sources;

2. demonstrate an understanding of the events, developments and people who have shaped the African-American experience;

3. display an awareness of the development, nature, impact and legacy of American slavery.

Sources

Core Readings

Essential:

Gates Jr., H.L and Yacavone, D., 2013. The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross. Carlsband, California: Smiley Books.

12 Years a Slave. 2014 [DVD] Steve McQueen. United States of America: River Road Entertainment, Regency Enterprises, Plan B Entertainment.

Recommended:

Kelley, R.D.G. and Lewis, E., 2000. To Make Our World Anew: A History of African Americans. New York; Oxford: OUP.

Web Sources

This course is complemented by extensive online resources – a full list of links will be provided on Learn.

Queries

If you have questions regarding the course or enrolment, please contact COL Reception at Paterson's Land by email COL@ed.ac.uk or by phone 0131 650 4400.

Student support

If you have a disability, learning difficulty or health condition which may affect your studies, please let us know by ticking the 'specific support needs' box on your course application form. This will allow us to make appropriate adjustments in advance and in accordance with your rights under the Equality Act 2010. For more information please visit the Student Support section of our website.