Fall 2013 : African American Studies 241 The Origin and Development of African American Studies

This seminar will explore the history and status of African American Studies as a unversity discipline. The beginning of the seminar will investigate the origins of the discipline. We will also analyze the responses of universities to the challenge to establish departments Black Studies. The scope and direction of African American Studies, as it has emerged and evolved over the last forty years, will be assessed. Finally, we will attempt to project the future directions of the discipline. During the last half of the semester, we will read and discuss five important works in the Social Sciences from your MA exam reading list. In addition to readings and class discussions, the seminar will include guest lecturers, documentary films and videos.