PLSC 101Intro to Africana Studies

Catalog

This course is a broad survey of some of the major themes in Africana studies, and an introduction to African experiences globally. Beginning in Africa and working outward, it analyzes the intellectual, spiritual, creative and political traditions of Africans as they address the challenges of the modern world over the last millennium. Major themes include: African languages and cultures, religion in Africa, slavery, European colonialism in Africa, African diasporic identities, Black literature, the US Civil Rights movement, African decolonization and Afro-futurism. The course seeks to introduce students to the range and complexities of African-derived experiences globally, through deep engagement with both African and African diasporic source texts in history, literature, poetry, journalism, film and music.