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AP African American Studies: History and Culture

AP African American Studies: History and Culture enriches students' understanding of African American history and culture, preparing them for college and inspiring them to be informed, empathetic citizens.

Academy for Gifted Youth

Average rating:

5.0

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(23)

Rising Star

What's included

30 live meetings

25 in-class hours

Homework

4+ hours per week. Students will be required to read and study course materials at least four hours per week outside of class. The types of homework assigned will include: • Reading Assignments: Students will read chapters from the textbook, primary source documents, and supplementary articles. These will be assigned weekly and are essential for understanding the course material. • Written Reflections and Essays: Students will write reflections on their readings and essays on specific topics covered in class. These assignments will be due bi-weekly and will help students develop their analytical and writing skills. • Research Projects: Students will undertake individual and group research projects, which will involve gathering information, analyzing sources, and presenting their findings. These will be assigned periodically throughout the course and will culminate in presentations. • Quizzes and Practice Questions: To check for understanding, students will complete quizzes and AP-style practice questions. These will be assigned weekly and graded to ensure comprehension of the material. • Discussion Posts: Students will participate in online discussion forums, where they will respond to prompts and engage with their peers. These will be assigned weekly and are crucial for fostering a collaborative learning environment. All assignments will be required for all students to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the material. Homework will be checked for correctness, with feedback provided to help students improve. Written reflections, essays, and research projects will be graded based on rubrics that assess content, analysis, and writing quality. Quizzes and practice questions will be graded for accuracy, while discussion posts will be evaluated based on participation and engagement.

Assessment

Assessments play a crucial role in “AP African American Studies: History and Culture” to measure student understanding, provide feedback, and prepare them for the AP exam. The types of assessments offered include: • Formative Assessments: These include quizzes, practice questions, and discussion posts to check for understanding and provide ongoing feedback. These are conducted weekly and are essential for monitoring student progress. Quizzes and practice questions are typically done in class, while discussion posts are online. • Summative Assessments: These include unit tests, essays, and projects designed to evaluate comprehensive understanding of the material covered. Unit tests are administered at the end of each unit (approximately every 4-6 weeks) and are conducted in class. Essays and projects may be assigned as take-home assessments. • Research Projects and Presentations: Students will complete individual and group research projects that culminate in presentations. These projects are assigned periodically throughout the course and are presented in class. • AP Practice Exams: Full-length practice exams are administered periodically, particularly closer to the actual AP exam date, to simulate the testing environment and assess readiness. These are conducted in class. All assessments are required for all students to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the course material and to prepare them adequately for the AP exam. Assessments will be graded, and feedback will be provided to help students improve their knowledge and skills.

Grading

Grades will be provided by default for all learners to ensure transparency and to help students track their progress throughout the course. The grading options offered include: • Homework and Class Participation: This includes grades for reading assignments, written reflections, discussion posts, and participation in class activities. These grades help ensure consistent engagement with the course material. • Quizzes and Practice Questions: Regular quizzes and practice questions will be graded for accuracy to provide immediate feedback on students’ understanding of the material. • Essays and Research Projects: Essays and research projects will be graded based on rubrics that assess content, analysis, and writing quality. These grades reflect students’ ability to apply critical thinking and conduct in-depth research. • Unit Tests and Summative Assessments: Unit tests and other summative assessments will be graded to evaluate comprehensive understanding of the topics covered in each unit. • AP Practice Exams: Practice exams will be graded to simulate the actual AP exam experience and to identify areas that need improvement. Grades play a critical role in this class by providing students with clear feedback on their performance, helping them identify areas of strength and areas needing improvement. This structured grading system ensures that students remain motivated and focused on their academic growth, and it helps prepare them thoroughly for the AP exam.

Class Experience

US Grade 8 - 11

Intermediate - Advanced Level

🌍 ᗩᑭ ᗩᖴᖇIᑕᗩᑎ ᗩᗰEᖇIᑕᗩᑎ ᔕTᑌᗪIEᔕ: ᕼIᔕTOᖇY ᗩᑎᗪ ᑕᑌᒪTᑌᖇE

📚 AP African American Studies: History and Culture is an enriching course that explores the profound history and vibrant cultural contributions of African Americans from ancient African civilizations to contemporary movements. 

Students will engage with diverse primary sources, including historical documents, literature, music, and art, to develop a nuanced understanding of the African American experience. This course aims to sharpen critical thinking skills, promote social awareness, and prepare students for college-level work.

Class Experience

🌟 What will be taught?
•	The rich history and cultural contributions of African Americans.
•	Key historical events, movements, and figures in African American history.
•	The intersections of race, gender, and class in shaping African American experiences.

🌍 What topics will you cover?
•	Origins of the African Diaspora
•	Freedom, Enslavement, and Resistance
•	The Practice of Freedom
•	Movements and Debates in African American history
•	Artistic and cultural expressions of African Americans

🗂 How is your class structured?
•	Weekly Units: Each week will cover specific themes and topics through a combination of lectures, discussions, and interactive activities.
•	Primary Source Analysis: Students will engage with historical documents, literary texts, music lyrics, artworks, and data.
•	Projects and Presentations: Students will undertake individual and group projects, culminating in presentations that showcase their understanding.

👩‍🏫 How will you teach?
•	Interactive Lectures: Engaging lectures supplemented with multimedia resources like slides, video clips, and music.
•	Discussions: Regular class discussions to foster critical thinking and exchange of ideas.
•	Hands-on Activities: Interactive assignments and projects to deepen understanding of the material.

🎨 What’s your teaching style?
•	Inclusive and Supportive: Focused on creating an inclusive environment that accommodates diverse learning needs.
•	Engaging and Dynamic: Use of varied teaching methods to keep students interested and involved.
•	Student-Centered: Encouraging student participation and feedback to tailor the learning experience.

🤝 How much will learners get to interact with you?
•	Lectures and Q&A: Direct interaction during lectures with opportunities for questions and clarifications.
•	Interactive Sessions: Participation in discussions, games, and activities.
•	Office Hours: Dedicated time for one-on-one support and additional help.

By enrolling in this course, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of African American history and culture, develop essential academic skills, and be inspired to become informed, empathetic global citizens. 🎓📚🖤🌍

Learning Goals

Develop a comprehensive understanding of African American history from ancient African civilizations to contemporary movements

Analyze and interpret primary sources including historical documents, literature, music, and art

Syllabus

Curriculum

Follows College Board Advanced Placement Curriculum

Standards

Aligned with Advanced Placement (AP) Standards

5 Units

30 Lessons

over 30 Weeks

Unit 1: Unit 1: Origins of the African Diaspora 🌍

Lesson 1:

Lesson 1: Introduction to African American Studies 📝

 Discover what African American Studies is all about! We’ll explore the course goals and the importance of studying this rich history and culture, setting the stage for the exciting journey ahead.

50 mins online live lesson

Lesson 2:

Lesson 2: The African Continent: A Varied Landscape 🌍

 Learn about the diverse climates, regions, and people of the African continent. Understand how geography influenced ancient African societies, and explore the vast cultural and linguistic diversity of Africa.

50 mins online live lesson

Lesson 3:

Lesson 3: Ancient African Civilizations: Egypt and Kush 🏛️

 Dive into the powerful civilizations of Egypt and Kush. We'll examine their incredible achievements in architecture, science, and governance, and discuss their enduring legacies in world history.

50 mins online live lesson

Lesson 4:

Lesson 4: The Sudanic Empires: Ghana, Mali, and Songhai 🏰

 Explore the mighty Sudanic empires known for their wealth, trade, and cultural contributions. Understand the significance of leaders like Mansa Musa and the impact of Islam on these regions.

50 mins online live lesson

Other Details

Learning Needs

This class supports diverse learning needs, including ADHD, Dyslexia, & ASD, through flexible instruction, structured routines, assistive technology, regular breaks, visual aids, & small group support, ensuring an inclusive learning space.

Parental Guidance

The class will cover topics such as slavery, racial discrimination, and civil rights struggles, which may be upsetting or sensitive for some learners. Historical documents, images, and videos related to these subjects will be used to provide a comprehensive understanding of African American history and culture. All media content will be carefully selected to ensure it is age-appropriate and educational. Videos and documentaries will be rated PG or PG-13, and specific content warnings will be provided in advance for any material that might be considered distressing. The course may use approved third-party tools like Google Classroom for assignments and discussions. Students will need to create accounts to access these tools, and instructions for account setup will be provided. Parents are encouraged to review the materials and discuss any concerns with the instructor to ensure a supportive learning environment for their child.

Pre-Requisites

No prerequisites are required for this course. However, previous classes in history or social studies & strong reading & writing skills will be beneficial for success. An interest in African American history and culture is also encouraged.

Academy for Gifted Youth

Joined January, 2021

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