PRINCE GEORGE'S COMMUNITY COLLEGE
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
MASTER COURSE SYLLABUS
HST 1510—African-American History: Colonial
to 1877
Dr. Korey Bowers Brown
Course Designator and Title
Prepared by
2/29/121
Date
Dr. Darlene Antezana
2/29/12
Dr. Carolyn Hoffman
2/29/12
Department Chairman
Date
Instructional Dean
Date
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course surveys African-American History from the beginnings of the Trans-Atlantic slave
trade in the colonial era through the end of Reconstruction in 1877. The course examines the
social, political, cultural, military, economic and scientific triumphs and tribulations that AfricanAmericans experienced throughout their early history in the land that has become the United
States. Particular emphasis is placed on describing and analyzing black Americans’ resistance to
inequality, their development of institutions, the expansion of slavery, and the Civil War and
Reconstruction. The assignments within the course stress the development of critical thinking
skills and the use of historical methodology in examining the meaning of freedom, justice, equality,
and democracy in America. Prerequisite: Reading Proficiency
CREDIT HOUR EXPLANATION
At Prince George’s Community College, for all credit courses, students are expected to spend a
minimum of 37.5 combined hours of instructional time and related coursework time per credit
hour. This course is a 3 credit course. This course achieves the minimum of 112.5 hours of
instructional time by requiring 37.5 hours of instructional time and 75 hours of student work
outside of instructional time.
COURSE OUTCOMES:
 Students passing this course will be able to accomplish all of the outcomes listed below.
 Students will demonstrate their attainment of these outcomes through the planned assessments. So, for each course learning
outcome, indicate briefly the planned assessment tools, such as cases, essay, multiple choice questions, etc
 Courses seeking general education status must address all pertinent general education outcomes in the below alignment.
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
Course Outcome
Program Outcome #
Measurable
Outcomes
Planned Assessments
1
explain how enslaved Africans melded their
cultural traditions with European and Native
American customs to develop uniquely
African-American communities;
1, 2, 3, 4
1.1, 1.2, 1.3,
1.4, 3.1, 2.4,
5.1, 4.1, 4.2,
6.1, 6.2
Analytical Essay Exam #1
(Midterm), brief writing
assignment, class discussion,
project [please note that
students will have a choice of
one of the four course outcomes
to write or orally present their
project]
2
analyze the causes for and impacts of the
expansion of slavery in America from 1619
through 1865;
1, 2, 3, 4
1.1, 1.2, 1.3,
1.4, 3.1, 2.4,
5.1, 4.1, 4.2,
6.1, 6.2
Analytical Essay Exam #1
(Midterm), brief writing
assignment, class discussion,
project
3
compare and contrast the arguments and
actions advanced by various pro-slavery and
abolitionist factions within the United States;
1, 2, 3, 4
1.1, 1.2, 1.3,
1.4, 3.1, 2.4,
5.1, 4.1, 4.2,
6.1, 6.2
Analytical Essay Exam # 2
(Final), brief writing
assignment, class discussion,
project
4
examine African-Americans’ efforts to gain
and make the most out of their freedom
1, 2, 3, 4
1.1, 1.2, 1.3,
1.4, 3.1, 2.4,
5.1, 4.1, 4.2,
6.1, 6.2
Analytical Essay Exam #2
(Final), brief writing
assignment, class discussion,
project
RANGE OF SUBJECT MATTER -- MODEL COURSE OUTLINE:
The major concepts noted below, are expected to be covered.
African societies and cultures prior to the trans-Atlantic slave trade
The Atlantic (middle) Passage
Origins of slavery during the colonial period
Development of African-American communities and culture
The African-American experience during the Revolution and New Republic
Rise of the Cotton kingdom and the expansion of slavery
The free African-American experience in the antebellum United States
Slave rebellions
Abolitionism
The role of African-Americans in the Civil War
Reconstruction
EVALUATION OF STUDENT PERFORMANCE:
Each instructor will assign at least 6 grades. These grades should require, at minimum:
Brief Writing Assignments (2)
Analytical Essay Exam #1 (Midterm)
Analytical Essay Exam #2 (Final)
Project
Class discussions
Master Course Syllabus
Instructors may also require other assignments such as quizzes or class work. The percentage
allotted to each method of evaluation will be left to the discretion of the professor, but the
writing assignments collectively, should account for at least 50 percent of the grade. The final
exam will count for no more than 30 percent of the final grade.
ACCOUNTING FOR CREDIT HOUR REQUIREMENT
*(THIS SECTION APPEARS ONLY ON MASTER SYLLABI, AND IS NOT TO BE
DISTRIBUTED TO STUDENTS)
Face-to-face classes
Assignment/Assessment
In-class instruction, including:
1) Mid-term exam
2) Final exam
One mid-term exam
One final exam
Two writing assignments
One project
Class discussion
Assigned readings
Clock Hours
37.5
6 hours studying out of class
6 hours studying out of class
12 hours for research and writing
15 hours for research and writing
15 hours of preparation
45 hours of reading, taking notes, etc.
Total hours=136.5 hours
Online classes
In-class instruction, including:
1) Mid-term exam
2) Final exam
3) Discussion Boards
4) Reading and taking notes on course
modules
One mid-term exam
One final exam
Two writing assignments
One project
Class discussion
Assigned readings
37.5 total
2 hours of writing
2 hours of writing
15 hours
18.5 hours
6 hours studying out of class
6 hours studying out of class
12 hours of research and writing
15 hours of research and writing
15 hours of preparation
45 hours of reading, taking notes, etc.
Total hours=136.5 hours
4
Master Course Syllabus
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS:
Required:
Darlene Clark Hine, William C. Hine, and Stanley Harrold, The African-American Odyssey, Vol. 1
(or the Combined Volume of The African-American Odyssey or any other comparable alternative
textbook)
Recommended:
(Include supplementary books, anthologies, source collections and other such materials which an
instructor might wish to recommend, but not require. List all audio-visual materials and any
instructional software appropriate to the course content. Use supplementary sheets as needed.)
Africans in America: America’s Journey through Slavery (selected episodes from this PBS documentary,
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/home.html),
American Experience—Reconstruction: The Second Civil War (PBS documentary,
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/reconstruction/),
Ken Burns’ Civil War (selected episodes from this PBS documentary,
http://www.pbs.org/civilwar/),
A Prince Among Slaves (PBS documentary, http://www.pbs.org/programs/prince-among-slaves/),
Unchained Memories (HBO Documentary, http://www.five73.com/old/project_art/hbo.html)
5