This short course lays the groundwork for further study in African American Studies. 

Our journey goes as follows:

Week One- Framing Our Study. We use the Africana Framework to guide us in thinking about the world from an Afrocentric perspective. 

Week Two & Three- Governance  
-We spend these sessions focused on topics that explore how Africans create their communities and institutions, as well as how they have adapted in light of global forces. 

Week Four & Five- Ways of Knowing
- We consider the roles of culture and religion as Africans connect across time and space to that which is known and unknown, seen and unseen. 
(West African traditional regions, Islam, Christianity)
(Notables include Richard Allen, Prince Hall, Father Divine)

Week Six & Seven- Movement and Memory
-We enjoy the fruits of many labors in the arts.
(African and American music traditions, visual arts, dance, literature and drama.)
(Notables include Scott Joplin, Robert Johnson, Big Mams Thornton and Phyliss Wheatley)


Our classroom space is a knowledge community in which everyone's participation is key. We engage the material together, ask questions and seek answers, and figure out how to apply what we know to what we learn. Open cameras are a must as humans communicate verbally and non-verbally. 

In most classes, learners can expect a 75/25 ratio of teacher/learner talking. Learners will be invited to speak in class via questions- our class is a place to practice speaking and listening, so we generally do not use the chat function for conversations. 

Learners will be given weekly study materials and encouraged to seek and share additional information and recourses based on their interests. I leave space in each class for questions and learner-directed conversation as learners are required to come to each class prepared with at least one high-quality question. 

Weekly lectures are supported by slides, short videos, and excerpts from primary source documents. When available, resources are provided to learners via the Google Drive.  Learners who do not have access to Google Drive will be accommodated based on their available technology.