Contemporary African American Communication

Catalog description

A focused study on the continuities between African and African American culture and communication. CAS 422 / AFAM 422 Contemporary African American Communication (3) (US)(BA) This course meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements. At least once a year, this multidisciplinary course is designed to serve both Speech Communication and African and African American Studies. It is concerned with the relationship between a people's culture and world view and their systems of rhetoric/communication. It also provides a focus on the continuities between African and African American culture and communication. Specifically, it offers an approach to ascertaining the salient features of African and African American communication for community development. Special emphasis is given to the development and rhetoric of the Civil Rights Movement. The course utilizes videos, guest lectures, tapes of speeches, etc. to clarify objectives and stimulate classroom discussion. Students will be evaluated on two exams, one oral report, a final paper and class participation. Even though students need 400-level courses for their major and minor, this course is not required for Speech Communication majors. However, it does meet the Intercultural and International Competency requirement because it focuses on the communication of African Americans and how that communication has affected all Americans. The course will accommodate ten students in Speech Communication and ten students in African and African American Studies to ensure active discussion of issues.