AJ17051 Introduction to African American History and Culture

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2015
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 2 credit(s) (plus 2 credits for an exam). Recommended Type of Completion: zk (examination). Other types of completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
Jeffrey Alan Vanderziel, B.A. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Jeffrey Alan Vanderziel, B.A.
Department of English and American Studies – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Tomáš Hanzálek
Supplier department: Department of English and American Studies – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
Thu 14:10–15:45 G24
Prerequisites (in Czech)
( AJ09999 Qualifying Examination || AJ01002 Practical English II ) && AJ07002 Intro. to American Studies II
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 75 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/75, only registered: 0/75, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/75
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 7 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to identify and discuss the important topics and historical events that have impacted the African American community. They will be able to discuss the impact of African American culture on the broader American Culture. They will be able to recognize important figures in the history of African Americans and explain their contributions. They will be able to discuss the development of various culture forms including music and the arts within the African American community.
Syllabus
  • This course is designed to be a survey of the history of the single most significant minority group in the United States. From their first arrival as indentured servants in Jamestown in 1619 through the tumultuous events of this decade, Americans of African descent have played a crucial role in the shaping of American history, society and culture. This course will attempt to follow the nature and shape of this impact and will try to examine how African-Americans themselves view their own history and culture. Reading for this course will be based on a variety of historical material, including primary documents and modern historical works, articles, texts of speeches, works of fiction, poetry and music by African-American authors and artists. Audio and video material will also be used.
  • Section 1: Colonial America (Weeks 1-3)
  • Section 2: Ante-bellum America (Weeks 4-7)
  • Section 3: Post-Civil War America (Weeks 8-9)
  • Section 4: Post-World War I America (Weeks 10-11)
  • Section 5: Modern America (Weeks 12-13)
  • Fims: Week 2: Africans in America: America's Journey Through Slavery. Part I: "The Terrible Transformation: 1607-1750" (1998)
  • Week 3: Africans in America: America's Journey Through Slavery. Part II: "Revolution: 1750-1805" (1998)
  • Week 4: Africans in America: America's Journey Through Slavery. Part III: "Brotherly Love: 1787-1834" (1998)
  • Week 5: Africans in America: America's Journey Through Slavery. Part IV: "Judgement Day: 1831-1861" (1998) and Ethnic Notions (documentary) (1987), directed by Marlon Riggs
  • Week 6: Amistad (1997), directed by Steven Spielberg
  • Week 7: Glory (1989), directed by Edward Zwick
  • Week 8: Beloved (1998), directed by Jonathan Demme
  • Week 9: Voices and Visions: Langston Hughes (documentary) (1999)
  • Week 10: Malcom X (documentary) (1972), directed by Arnold Perl
  • Week 11: 4 Little Girls (documentary) (1997), directed by Spike Lee
  • Week 12: Do the Right Thing (1989), directed by Spike Lee
Literature
  • DU BOIS, W. E. B. (William Edward. Writings [Du Bois, 1986]. Edited by Nathan Irvin Huggins. New York, N.Y.: Literary Classics of the United States, 1986, 1334 p. ;. ISBN 0-940450-33-275. info
  • DOUGLASS, Frederick. Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass, an American slave. Edited by John W. Blassingame. 1st pub. as a Yale Nota bene. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2001, xli, 148. ISBN 0300087012. info
  • The Heath anthology of American literature. Edited by Paul Lauter. Lexington: D.C. Heath, 1990, xliii, 293. ISBN 0-669-12064-2. info
  • The Heath anthology of American literature. Edited by Paul Lauter. Lexington, Mass.: D.C. Heath, 1990, xxxix, 261. ISBN 0-669-12065-0. info
  • The Norton Anthology of African American Literature. Edited by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and Nellie Y. McKay. New York : W. W. Norton, 1997. xliv, 2665. ISBN 0-393-04001-1
  • TAKAKI, Ronald. A different mirror :a history of multicultural America. 1st ed. Boston: Back Bay Books, 1993, ix, 508 s. ISBN 0-316-83111-5. info
Teaching methods
A 1.5 hour seminar per week with classroom discussion. In addition a documentary or feature film relating to African American issues will be shown each week.
Assessment methods
Assessment will be based on a written exam given. The format of the exam will include essay questions, matching, multiple choice and short answer questions. Students wishing to take the course for credit will have a lower pass/fail line on the exam.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
Teacher's information
http://elf.phil.muni.cz/elf/course/view.php?id=422
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2000, Spring 2001, Spring 2002, Spring 2003, Spring 2004, Spring 2005, Spring 2006, Spring 2007, Spring 2008, Spring 2009, Spring 2010, Spring 2011, Spring 2012, Spring 2013, Spring 2014, Spring 2016, Spring 2017, Spring 2018, Spring 2019, Spring 2020, Spring 2021.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2015, recent)
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