African American History to 1865
History 2205.376 – Section 01 - Fall, 2007 – Rowan University
Professor: John Aveni
e-mail: avenijo@rowan.edu
Section 01: T Th 1:45-3:00 Rob 103
Office: ROB 216L
Ext. 3963
Hours: T Th 11-12, Wed by appt.
Course Description: History of African Americans from pre-colonial days to 1865.
Course Goals: In addition to introducing students to the major events and issues of early African American
history, this course aims to sharpen the student’s ability to analyze primary sources. Emphasis will be placed
on the ability to read sources critically and to write clearly.
Course Requirements: This course covers quite a bit of history in one semester. In order to learn the
material, you will need to ATTEND EVERY CLASS and keep up with the readings. Each week, you will read
approximately one chapter of the textbook, two chapters of a biographical text, and 40 pages of additional
readings, taken from a collection of primary and secondary documents. You are responsible for these
readings at the beginning of the week, you will be required to write graded essays or to discuss the week’s
readings. I will lecture for approximately half of one class each week. While we will occasionally view films
for a change of pace, we will more often engage in class discussions and group exercises. In order for the
course to be successful, students must complete the assigned readings and attend each session ready and
willing to participate in group activities.
Grades will be determined as follows:
Attendance: You will sign in every day. The first four absences will not adversely affect your grade.
After that, you will be docked a half of a letter grade for each absence. Absences can not be made
up, so do not plan to miss any classes. I make no distinction between “excused” and “unexcused”
absences. Communication is important. Contact me as soon as possible when a class is missed,
especially if you will miss more than one in a row.
Participation (10%): In addition to your presence, your participation in class discussions and group
activities will be a factor in your grade.
In-class Written Assignments (30%): At six points during the semester (some announced, some
unannounced), you will be responsible for a brief essay based on the assigned readings from To
Make Our World Anew, Major Problems in African American History, and the films and other media
presented or assigned in class. Some essays will be take-home. Others will be completed in class. I
will grade these. You may drop and/or rewrite one during the semester. At the end of the summer,
the total of your five best essay scores will constitute 30% of your final grade. Makeup policy: If you
miss one of these assignments, you must do it as your “re-write.”
Mid-Term Essay (30%): A take-home midterm essay paper (5 pp. min) addressing major themes from
the first half of the course. The essay assignment will be distributed October 4, 2007. The first draft
will be due on November 1, and the final draft will be due on November 15, 2005.
Final Exam (30%): This exam will be taken during the schedule exam period. It will be cumulative
and will include several IDs and two essays.
Required Readings: The following books are at the bookstore:

Robin Kelly, Ed., To Make Our World Anew, Vol 1 to 1880 (New York: Oxford University Press,
2000).
 Thomas Holt and Elsa Barkley Brown, Eds, Major Problems in African American History, Vol 1, 16191877 (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2000).
 Solomon Northup, Twelve Years A Slave, 1853 (Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press,
1968).
 Harriet E. Wilson, Our Nig: Sketches from the Life of a Free Black, 1859 (Mineola, New York: Dover,
2005).
The Internet: I will use Blackboard to post Lecture outlines and assignments, and other materials.
History 2205.376 Section 01 – Class Schedule – Fall 2007 – John Aveni
TMWA = To Make Our World Anew; MP = Major Problems in African American History
TYS = Twelve Years a Slave; ON = Our Nig: Sketches from the Life of a Free Black
Material Covered
Week/Date
Homework (Prepare)
Introduction
Interpreting African American History
Week 1
Sept 4, 6
Purchase: TMWA, MP, TYS, ON
Read: TMWA, Preface; MP, Chapter 1
Africans and the Slave Trade
Week 2
Sept 11. 13
Read: MP, Chapter 2
The First Passage
Week 3
Sept 18, 20
Read: TMWA, Chapter 1
The Origins of North American Slavery
and Racism
Week 4
Sept 25, 27
Read: MP, Chapter 3
Strange New Land
Week 5
Oct 2, 4
Read: TMWA, Chapter 2; TYS Intro, Chapters 1-4
MIDTERM PAPER DISTRIBUTED
The Origins of African America and the
Continuity of Culture
Week 6
Oct 9, 11
Read: MP, Chapter 4; TYS, Chapters 5-9
The Development of Slave Society in Colonial Week 7
North America
Oct 16, 18
Read: MP, Chapter 5; TYS, Chapters 10-14
Revolutionary Citizens
Read: TMWA, Chapter 3; TYS 15-19
Week 8
Oct 23, 25
Subordination and Autonomy: The Dialectics Week 9
of Master-Slave Relations
Oct 30, Nov 1
Read: MP, Chapter 6; TYS 20-Appendices
MIDTERM PAPER, DRAFT 1 - DUE Nov. 1
The Roots of Resistance: Slave Cultures and Week 10
Communities
Nov 8
Read: MP, Chapter 7
8
Free Blacks Confront the Slave Power: The
Meaning of Freedom in a Slave Society
Week 11
Nov 13, 15
Read: MP, Chapter 8
MIDTERM PAPER - DUE Nov. 15
Let My People Go
Week 12
Nov 20
Read: TMWA, Chapter 4; ON, Intro-Chapter 4
Civil War and Emancipation
Week 13
Nov 27, 29
Read: MP, Chapter 9; ON, Chapters 5-9
Breaking the Chains
Week 14
Dec 4, 6
Read: TMWA, Chapter 5; ON, Chapters 10-End
The Work of Reconstruction
Week 15
Dec 11, 13
Read: MP, Chapter 10
Review: All notes and graded work.
Finals Week
Dec 17-21
CUMULATIVE FINAL Closed book, in bluebooks