Hist 3334/01
Spring 2011
Africans in Diaspora
Kennesaw State University
Time: MW 5-6:15 PM
Room: SO 2035
Office Hours: 4:15-4:45 AM and by
appointment anytime
Class Website: GA View Vista
Instructor: William E. Allen, Ph. D.
Office: SO 4083
E-mail: wallen14@kennesaw.edu
Tel. 770 423 6526
Course Description
This introductory course is the history of the forced and voluntary migrations of Africans,
from around the several centuries just before the Christian era, to the end of the final
decades of the nineteenth century. The class will concentrate on the coerced migrants or
enslaved persons, as they probably constituted the majority of the Africans in Diaspora.
The bulk of this enslaved population was transported to Asia and the Americas.
Descendants of this original enslaved population can be found in the Americas, Europe,
and Asia. We will track the history of this displaced group.
Course Objectives
By the end of this class, students should accomplish the following:
1. determine the difference between the African Diaspora and other historic
dispersions;
2. identify the areas of resettlement and observe how the migrants adjusted in their
new environments;
3. evaluate their strategies of survival;
4. examine the ways in which the Africans demonstrated their attachment to Africa;
and
5. demonstrate proficiency in writing history papers.
Required Textbooks and Internet Resources
1. Gomez, Michael, Reversing Sail: A History of the African Diaspora
2. Harris, Joseph, ed., Global Dimensions of the African Diaspora
3. Benjamin, Jules, A Student’s Guide to History
Internet Resources (maps, images, essays, etc.)
1. http://www.slavevoyages.org/tast/assessment/intro-maps.faces
2. http://www.howard.edu/library/Search/Diaspora/diaspsettle.gif
3. http://tubman.apps01.yorku.ca/
4. http://www2.si.umich.edu/chico/Schomburg/text/migration6.html
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Course Requirements and Evaluation
The final grade for the course is derived from the following:
Areas




% of Course Grade
50
30
15
05
2 exams
Three short analytical papers
Palaver
NOD (News of the Diaspora)
1. Two exams (midterm and final): These exams required that you write short answers in
complete, grammatically correct sentences. I will draw the exams from the lectures,
assigned readings, and the Palaver. Excellent tips for taking notes and studying can be
found in A Student's Guide to History (Chapters 2 & 3). Dates of the exams are listed
below. Do not miss the exams, quizzes, and class presentations: as a rule, there are no
make-ups.
2. Three short analytical papers: Each paper is three pages, single-spaced, Times New
Roman, and font size 12. Essays that disregard this rule will not be disqualified, but
stand to lose substantial points. I will post the instructions for the essay on GA View
Vista, and you will do likewise with the completed paper. Format for the papers will be
discussed and posted on GA View Vista. We will also discuss the sections on Plagiarism
and Documenting Your Paper in A Student's Guide to History. Plagiarism is presenting
someone’s ideas as yours (without indicating so). The consequence is simple: I will give
you an F. (Also see KSU’s Academic Integrity Policy below.) There are consequences
for tardy assignments: A grade of “B” is the highest you can earn on late assignments.
You will have two days from the original deadline to turn in the paper or forfeit the
points.
Papers will be graded for content as well as grammar. If you need help with writing, read
this: “The KSU Writing Center is a free service offered to all KSU students.
Experienced, friendly writing assistants work with you throughout the writing process on
concerns such as topic development, revision, research, documentation, grammar, and
mechanics. Rather than edit your paper for you, writing assistants will help you learn
strategies to become a better writer on your own. For more information or to make an
appointment (appointments are strongly encouraged), visit
http://www.kennesaw.edu/english/WritingCenter, or stop by Room 242 in the
English Building.”
3. Palaver also Palava: Palaver is the name of our student-led class discussion. The
word “Palaver” comes from palavra, Portuguese for speech or discussion. Palaver is a
trade word that evolved when Portuguese and African traders met for the first time on the
coast of West Africa. It developed from what Portuguese saw as the long, drawn-out
bargaining by Africans during commercial transactions. Typically, the haggling took
place in the round, semi-walled structure with conical thatched roof that African chiefs
used to adjudicate and settle disputes; hence, it is called the Palaver Hut. (See picture on
our website.) The class will be assigned a reading or a Palaver, along with several
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questions. I will select students from roster alphabetically to head the Palaver and
discuss the questions. Answer the questions thoroughly, and then conclude with your
own question that is intended to provoke class discussion. As leader of the Palaver, your
role is to stimulate discussion: ask questions and encourage the class to participate. You
will receive a numerical grade (e.g., 80%) based on how you will fare on the questions
and the presentation. You may ask to see your grade after the presentation.
4. News of the Diaspora (NOD)
Each week you can present one piece of news about the Africans in Diaspora. You must
give the source, date of publication, and show the relevance of the news to the topic
under discussion in class. There are various authoritative news sources including the
national cable networks. Others are http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world/. The New York
Times, and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Each news item is worth one point. In the
end, the highest total number of points equals A, the next B, then C, and D: no news, no
points.
5. Attendance, Make-ups, Late work: Class attendance is mandatory. Drop the class if
you expect to miss more than the three absences allowed. Absences will adversely affect
your final grade. As a rule, I do not give make-ups.
6. Final grade
The formula for converting your numerical grade is 90-100=A; 80-89=B; 70-79=C; 6069=D; 0-59=F.
KSU’s Academic Integrity Policy
“Every KSU student is responsible for upholding the provisions of the Student Code of
Conduct, as published in the Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs. Section II of the
Student Code of Conduct addresses the University’s policy on academic honesty,
including provisions regarding plagiarism and cheating, unauthorized access to
University materials, misrepresentation/falsification of University records or academic
work, malicious removal, retention, or destruction of library materials,
malicious/intentional misuse of computer facilities and/or services, and misuse of student
identification cards. Incidents of alleged academic misconduct will be handled through
the established procedures of the University Judiciary Program, which includes either an
“informal” resolution by a faculty member, resulting in a grade adjustment, or a formal
hearing procedure, which may subject a student to the Code of Conduct’s minimum one
semester suspension requirement.”
Class Etiquette
The consequence for “abusive, profane, threatening and/or inappropriate behavior” is
severe; see Disruption of Campus Life Statement in the KSU Faculty Handbook, pp.
3.10-3.12. Accordingly, proper behavior and respect for class decorum is essential.
Please silence all cell phones and electronic devices that tend to disrupt the decorum of
the class. Laptops can be used to take notes.
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March 14: (LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW WITHOUT ACADEMIC PENALTY)
Tentative course schedule (Palavers will intersperse lectures and readings; schedules
will be announced on GA View)
Part I
Introduction to class; why African Diaspora? What is diaspora?
Jan. 10-12
Read Gomez, Introduction; Harris, Introduction
Part II
Themes and problems in the study of the African Diaspora
Jan. 17
No class (M.L. King’s natal day)
Jan. 19-26
Read Harris, Chapters 1-2
Part III
Earliest recorded dispersal c. 500 BCE to c. 800 CE
Jan. 31-Feb. 14 Read Gomez, Chapters 1-2; Harris Chapter 14
Feb. 2
Assign Paper #1
Part IV
Scattering, c.1000 CE to c. 1800s CE
Feb. 16-28
Read Gomez, Chapter 3; Harris Chapters 17-18
Part V
Making the New World Diaspora, 1500 to 1800s
Feb. 25
Paper # 1 due
March 2
Exam # 1; assign Paper # 2
March 7, 9
No classes: Spring Break
March 14-16 Read Gomez, Chapters 4-5
Part VI
Resettlement and adjustment
March 21-30 Read Gomez, Chapter 6; Harris, Chapters 6, 8-9
March 25
Paper # 2 due
March 30
Assign paper # 3
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Part VII
“Reversing sail:” return to ancestral land
April 4-20
Read Harris, Chapters 19, 20, 23, and 24
April 15
Paper # 3 due
April 18
Film
Part VIII
Internal migrations in Diaspora, post world war II
April 25-27
Read Gomez, Chapter 8
May 2
Last day of class
May 9
Final exam, 6:30-8:30
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