African American Education

Catalog description

Some scholars, educators and parents suggest the educational system in the United States, is designed to prepare individuals for access and inclusion into this society and also to intelligently participate in a democratic republic. Others have suggested the educational system is means of social control, both a passive and active way of maintaining the structural hegemony of inequality already present. Whatever the case may be, the debate of how to best empower and educate Africana people has been active since before 1865. This seminar will provide an overview of this discussion as well as some of the major factors contributing to the topic. Seminar in African American Education explores, critiques and examines the journey of African descendants in the United States in their quest for education. This course will examine two major historical features of this experience, how Africana people have sought to educate themselves and how the larger culture has attempted to educate them. Within this examination this course will attempt to explore both positions advanced by scholars, educators and parents as well as other developments in the field of education relating to Africana people.