U.S. History Deep Dive: African American History - Semester Long
In this engaging 16-week course, students will explore African Americans' rich and complex history from ancient African civilizations to modern social movements.
New on Outschool
What's included
32 live meetings
42 hrs 40 mins in-class hoursAssignments
1-2 hours per week. 7 or more throughout the classLetter Grade
7 or more throughout the classClass Experience
US Grade 9 - 12
This 16-week immersive African American History course explores the deep and rich history of African Americans from ancient African civilizations to the present day. Through engaging discussions, primary source analysis, documentaries, music, literature, and virtual field trips, students will critically examine the contributions, struggles, and resilience of African Americans. Each week, we’ll explore major historical themes, including the transatlantic slave trade, Reconstruction, the Civil Rights Movement, and modern activism. By the end of this course, students will: ✔️ Develop a deep understanding of African American history ✔️ Analyze historical documents, speeches, and narratives ✔️ Understand how history connects to current events ✔️ Engage in critical thinking and meaningful discussions 📝 Course Experience 📌 Participation: Students will engage in class discussions, debates, and group work. 📌 Assignments: Weekly reflection questions, readings, and optional creative projects. 📌 Final Project: A research presentation on a key historical figure, event, or movement. 💡 Why Take This Class? ✅ Develop a comprehensive understanding of African American history ✅ Engage in critical discussions and analysis of historical events ✅ Gain skills in research, debate, and public speaking ✅ Learn about unsung heroes and overlooked historical narratives 🌟 New Student Discount: $10 off with code CHRISXORR110
Learning Goals
Develop a comprehensive understanding of African American history.Engage in critical discussions and analysis of historical events.
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created CurriculumStandards
Aligned with Advanced Placement (AP) Standards5 Units
32 Lessons
over 16 WeeksUnit 1: African Kingdoms & the Transatlantic Slave Trade
Lesson 1:
Origins & Great Civilizations of Africa
Students will learn about the Kingdoms of Mali, Ghana, and Songhai 80 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
The Impact of the Transatlantic Slave Trade
Students will learn about the Middle Passage and African resistance 80 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Enslavement in the Americas
Students will learn about life on plantations and cultural preservation 80 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Rebellion & Resistance
Students will learn about Nat Turner, Maroons, and the Haitian Revolution 80 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Parental Guidance
We will be studying primary sources that may have some sensitive language or subject matter. Learners will be notified about potentially sensitive information before it is presented, and parents can always reach out to me if they have questions.
Sources
📜 Primary Sources (Direct Historical Evidence)
These sources allow students to engage with history firsthand and develop analytical skills.
-Historical Documents & Speeches
The 1619 Project (NY Times) – https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/08/14/magazine/1619-america-slavery.html
Frederick Douglass' Autobiographies – Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass (1845) Full text: Project Gutenberg
Emancipation Proclamation (1863) – National Archives
Jim Crow Laws & Black Codes – Library of Congress
MLK’s "I Have a Dream" Speech – Text & Audio: American Rhetoric
Malcolm X's "The Ballot or the Bullet" Speech – Text & Audio
The Black Panther Party’s 10-Point Program – Stanford Digital Archive
-Historical Newspapers & Archives
The Freedmen’s Bureau Records – National Archives
The Chicago Defender (One of the first Black newspapers) – Library of Congress
Slave Narratives (WPA Interviews from the 1930s) – Library of Congress
Civil Rights Digital Library – http://crdl.usg.edu/
-Photographs & Visual Archives
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture – New York Public Library
National Museum of African American History & Culture Digital Collection – https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/collection
📚 Secondary Sources (Books, Articles, Documentaries)
These sources provide expert analysis and historical context. Excerpts will be provided.
-Books (Essential Reading List)
Before the Mayflower: A History of Black America – Lerone Bennett Jr.
Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America – Ibram X. Kendi
The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration – Isabel Wilkerson
The Souls of Black Folk – W.E.B. Du Bois (Available Free: Project Gutenberg)
A More Beautiful and Terrible History: The Uses and Misuses of Civil Rights History – Jeanne Theoharis
Black Against Empire: The History and Politics of the Black Panther Party – Joshua Bloom & Waldo E. Martin
Barracoon: The Story of the Last "Black Cargo" – Zora Neale Hurston
-Documentaries & Films
Eyes on the Prize (PBS) – Civil Rights Movement Documentary – PBS Site
The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross (PBS, Henry Louis Gates Jr.) – PBS Streaming
13th (Netflix) – Explores the link between mass incarceration and slavery
Slavery by Another Name (PBS) – Post-Reconstruction forced labor system – PBS Watch
Black America Since MLK: And Still I Rise (PBS) – PBS Streaming
The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975 (Netflix/Amazon Prime)
Who Killed Malcolm X? (Netflix)
- Online Articles & Research Papers
The Equal Justice Initiative – https://eji.org/reports/
Smithsonian National Museum of African American History – https://nmaahc.si.edu/
The Zinn Education Project – Teaching materials and articles on Black history – https://www.zinnedproject.org
-Interactive Resources & Virtual Field Trips
The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture (Virtual Exhibits) – https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/exhibitions
The Legacy Museum: From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration (EJI Virtual Tour) – https://museumandmemorial.eji.org/museum
Facing History & Ourselves – Interactive lessons and teaching guides – https://www.facinghistory.org
Google Arts & Culture: Black History & Culture Collection – https://artsandculture.google.com/project/black-history-and-culture
Joined March, 2025
New on Outschool
Teacher expertise and credentials
2 Degrees
Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and Government from University of California Riverside
Associate's Degree in Science from Sacramento City College
I have been teaching World History, Honors English, and Creative Writing to high school students in grades 9-12 for the past 1.5 years at a private high school, fostering critical thinking, analytical skills, and creative expression. I hold a bachelor's and a master's degree in history and public policy, providing me with a strong foundation in research, historical analysis, and effective communication. Beyond the classroom, I host a life skills cooking channel that combines history with culinary arts, teaching people to cook while exploring historical contexts. This unique approach allows me to connect with diverse learners, making complex topics engaging and accessible both inside and outside the classroom.
Reviews
Live Group Course
$19
weekly2x per week, 16 weeks
80 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 14-18
2-14 learners per class
