Course Descriptions

HIS 102 - Introduction to African-American Studies

3 Credits

This is an interdisciplinary exploration of the experience and initiative of people of African descent throughout the world with an emphasis on the United States. Students will learn how slavery, segregation, and colonialism shaped the history, religion, sociology, politics, economics, creative production, and psychology of African-American people. The course provides information on the role historical and contemporary social structures and systems play in shaping the identity and status of African American people.

Learning Attributes: WR

New SUNY General Education: SUNY - Diversity: Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice, SUNY - U.S. History and Civic Engagement

Retiring SUNY General Education: SUNY-AH - American History (SAMH)

MCC General Education: MCC-SSD - Social Science and Diversity (MSSD)

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Summarize the experience and initiative of people of African descent through an interdisciplinary lens.
2. Outline societal factors that shape the identity of African-Americans.
3. Discuss the highlights of Black creative production and the influence of systems of oppression.
4. Analyze how structural racial inequality impacts African American politics and economics.
5. Describe the main elements of Black feminist thought.
6. Discuss the concept of Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome.
7. Summarize the variety of perspectives, theories, practical applications, and methods of studying African peoples and their social evolution.
8. Articulate the solutions and strategies for social change in African-American communities.

Course Offered Fall

Use links below to see if this course is offered:
Fall Semester 2024
Intersession 2025
Spring Semester 2025