INTRODUCTION TO AFRICAN-AMERICAN STUDIES (AAST 1000)
Summer, 2011
Facilitator:
Office:
email:
Website:
Office Hours:
Meeting Time:
Dr. John Kambutu
Tate Museum 124, phone- 268 2584
Kambutu@uwyo.Edu
www.uwyo.edu/kambutu
Wednesday 10:00-12:00 p.m. or by appointment
MWF (TM. 108) (May 23-July 1) 9:45 - 11:50 a.m. or as arranged
MWF (TM. 108) (May 23-June 22) 8:45 - 11:50 a.m. or as arranged
CREDIT:
Three (3) hours
COURSE OUTLINE
This course provides a historical survey of the people of Black African heritage prior to their
arrival in America and thereafter.
COURSE GOALS
This being an introductory course to the African-American discipline, you can expect to
complete the following goals:
a)
To read from a wide range of literature including books and articles with
anthropological, sociological, psychological, religious, and political roots
b)
To understand Africa's social, political, economic, and religious organizations
before western "invasion" and the results of this intrusion to the African way of life
c)
To understand and analyze the impact of enslavement
e)
To demonstrate knowledge and understanding of values held by Blacks of African
heritage
f)
To demonstrate a clear understanding of the contributions of Blacks of African heritage
to the American society as a whole.
Textbook
Karenga, M. (2010). Introduction to Black Studies (4th Ed). Los Angeles, California: Sankore.
(Required).
UNITS OF STUDY
This course has three major sections:
1.
Africa up to 1500 AD: Africa the land of their ancestors, the African way of
Life (politics, social & economic, religion, and culture).
2.
The enslavement period (1400-1865) Slaves in America.
3.
1865 to Present: Politics and government, media, education, law and justice, economy,
religion, race & racism, urban problems, pattern of violence, issues, implications, and
applications to Backs of African heritage.
Some of these areas and or sections will be discussed in great details, others in passing, while
others may be over-looked altogether. Other relevant topic/s not included in this syllabus
might be examined.
COURSE STRUCTURE
My philosophy is that the learner must be involved in the learning process of which he or she is
part. Thus, I will employ a variety of teaching and learning activities including lecture, small
and large group discussions, individual readings and reports, etc.
EVALUATION
Your work will be evaluated according to an A - F scale. Incomplete (X grade) is discouraged.
Successful completion will depend on regular class attendance, active participation in the whole
learning process (discussions, critiques, presentations, and evaluations) and completion of all
assignments.
ASSIGNMENT:
 Two tests and a final: 20 points each
 Project and oral presentation (5 minutes)
 Other (active participation, impromptus
and minor in-class activities etc.)
Total points
60 points
20 points
20 points
100 (93-100 A, 86-92 B, 78-85 C, 70-77 D)
PROJECT
Each student will choose a topic from the class text to study. Using the knowledge gained, find
and study a different resource/s with similar information. Then prepare a project, for example, a
2 to 3 page double spaced paper, multi-media, etc. to document the knowledge acquired. You
must also prepare a 5-minute presentation to share the knowledge/information gained with the
whole class. Your project should have an introduction followed by an analysis of event/s
including statements/s about how the topic has impacted you as a member of a democratic
society (15 points for project and 5 points for presentation).
OTHER
Academic Dishonesty - Cheating & Plagiarism: Casper College demands intellectual honesty.
Proven plagiarism or any form of dishonesty associated with the academic process can result in
the offender failing the course in which the offense was committed or expulsion from school. See
the Casper College Student Code of Conduct.
Student Rights and Responsibilities: Please refer to the Casper College Student Conduct and
Judicial Code for information concerning your rights and responsibilities as a Casper College
Student.
Chain of Command: If you have any problems with this class, you should first contact the
instructor in order to solve the problem. If you are not satisfied with the solution offered by the
instructor, you should then take your problem through the appropriate chain of command starting
with the department head, then the division chair, and lastly the vice president for academic
affairs.
ADA Accommodations Policy: It is the policy of Casper College to provide appropriate
accommodations to any student with a documented disability. If you have a need for
accommodation in this course, please make an appointment to see me at your earliest
convenience.
Option One 9:45 -11:50AM
Date
~TENTATIVE SCHEDULE~
Activities
5/23, 25 &27
Introductions, syllabus, Black Studies
Africa, the land of their ancestors: Creationism vs. Evolution,
North & West African Kingdoms.
Read Karenga chapter 1, 2 & 3 and provided resources.
5/30, 6/1 &3
Memorial Day (5/30) Class excused
Africa the land of their ancestors: West African Kingdoms.
Video… The Nature of a Continent
Enslavement & the New World "The big business" & its
implications
Karenga, chapter 3 & 4 and provided resources
Test One on June 3
June 6, 8 & 10
Enslavement & the New World "The big business" & its
implications
The end of Enslavement
Karenga, chapter 3 & 4 and provided resources
Video…. The African Holocaust
June 13, 15 &17
The “Free African” Reconstruction,
Injustices, Civil rights… Karenga pp. 128-144
Presentation #1 on June 13
Black Sociology. Race/Class, Black family, Cultural issues, where
is home?
Read Karenga chapter 6
Presentation #2 on June 15
Test Two on June 17
June 20, 22 & 24
Education in America - Black studies (mission, challenges, &
focus)
Read assigned resources
Video (IQ or Racism)
Black Economics- Poverty, The underclass, Solutions, etc.
Karenga chapter 8
Presentation #3 on June 22
June 27, 29 & July 1 Black creative production
Karenga chapter 9
Presentation #4 on June 27
Black psychology - Background, Perspectives, A message of hope.
Karenga chapter 10
Presentation #5 on June 29
Final test on July 1
Option Two 8:45 – 11:50 AM
Date
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE~
Activities
5/23, 25 &27
Introductions, syllabus, Black Studies
Africa, the land of their ancestors: Creationism vs. Evolution,
North & West African Kingdoms..
Karenga, chapter 1, 2, 3 & 4 and provided resources
Video… The Nature of a Continent
5/30, 6/1 &3
Memorial Day (5/30) Class excused
Enslavement & the New World "The big business" & its
implications
The end of Enslavement
Karenga, chapter 4 and provided resources
Test One on June 3
Video…. The African Holocaust
June 6, 8 & 10
The “Free African” Reconstruction,
Injustices, Civil rights.
Karenga pp. 128-144
Presentation #1 on June 6
Black Sociology. Race/Class, Black family, Cultural issues, where
is home?
Karenga chapter 6
Presentation #2 on June 8
Test Two on June 10
June 13, 15 &17
Education in America - Black studies (mission, challenges, &
focus)
Read assigned resources
Video… IQ or Racism
Black Economics- Poverty, The underclass, Solutions, etc.
Karenga chapter 8
Presentation #3 on June 15
Black creative production
Karenga chapter 9
Presentation # 4 on July 17
June 20 & 22
Black psychology - Background, Perspectives, A message of hope.
Karenga chapter 10
Presentation #5 on June 20
Final test on June 22