Afro American History

The study of African American History spans several continents and many countries. William Edward Burghardt Du Bois stated, "The problem of the 20th century is the problem of the color line." We will examine "the color line" - its impact, inspiration and division - from 1500 to present. 

This examination of American History will be tempered but not sugarcoated. We, as Americans, have often struggled with how to treat, respond and react to those who are different from us - race, religion, creed or preferences. It is through studying our past that we can learn to have a better understanding of our nation and ourselves.

The class will be in a lecture format with short reading, podcast or video assignments between classes. Those will be discussed at the beginning of the next class.

Week One: 1500-1540 - Exploration and Discovery
Week Two: 1526-1763 - The Slave Trade
Week Three: 1700-1811 - The Revolutionary War and Nation Formation
Week Four: 1797-1858 - The Forgotten People
Week Five: 1859-1865 - The Civil War
Week Six: 1865-1900 - Reconstruction
Week Seven: 1890-1940 - The Renaissance - Harlem and elsewhere
Week Eight: 1940-1968 - The Fight for Equality
Week Nine: Malcolm X, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and Marcus Garvey
Week Ten: 1968 - Present - From Black Power to Black Empowerment