Course Syllabus

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Painting by Jacob Lawrence, "Brownstones," shows people walking and enjoying the city streets (1958)

BIS256: Intro to African American Studies | Spring 2023

Professor:  Dan Berger | Email: DaBerger@uw.edu or via Canvas (allow 24 hours for email response Mon through Fri)
Office hours: Th 10:30-12:30 (in person or by Zoom) or by appointment. See sign-up sheet & link to virtual office hours below
Librarian: Dani Rowland | Email: Danir@uw.edu | Phone: 425.352.3451

Class meetings: Thursday, 3:30-5:30 pm, UW1-102

IMPORTANT LINKS

  • Sign up for office hours at this link.
  • You can access virtual office hours at this link.
  • The electronic whiteboard for in-class discussions is at this link.

 

Course description

This course introduces students to some of the key events, ideas, and histories of African Americans from slavery to the Black Lives Matter movement. We will examine the tension between freedom and oppression in African America as manifest across a variety of cultural, historical, and political sites. The class uses music, poetry, history, law, and political theory to explore diverse issues in the ideas and experiences of African Americans. By the end of the quarter, students should be able to identify core concepts in Black Studies and apply them across a variety of settings. We will think about African Americans from a multiplicity of perspectives that trouble categories of nation, class, gender, sexuality, place, and politics.

Course Learning Objectives

  • Identify core historical influences on and by African Americans;
  • Connect historical events with contemporary issues facing African Americans;
  • Engage with key thinkers and debates in African American history;
  • Think critically about African American experiences in relation to class, gender, nation, sexuality, space, migration, and citizenship;
  • Enhance critical thinking, research, writing, and presentation skills through a variety of assignments.

 Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences Learning Objectives
The course learning objectives are part of the overall learning objectives for all IAS majors:

  • Interdisciplinary Research and Inquiry
  • Critical and Creative Thinking
  • Diversity and Equity
  • Writing and Communication
  • Collaboration and Shared Leadership

General Method of Instruction

This class meets in person once a week, Thursdays from 3:30 to 5:30. We will use that time for a mix of lecture, small group discussion, and activities. Students will be expected to view lectures and complete readings and other assignments outside of class time and come prepared to discuss them during our weekly meetings.

Recommended Preparation

There are no prerequisites for this class, and all readings/ course materials will be freely available online. I recognize that this course fulfills the UW’s Diversity requirement and that many of you have yet to declare a major. We are, in short, an exciting bunch. This class was developed within the American and Ethnic Studies major and will be taught within the methodologies and approaches common to that field. I encourage you to check out other classes in that major and in the School of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences.

Class Assignments and Grading

Students will complete a variety of reading and discussion posts as well as create an annotated playlist of songs related to persistent themes in Black Studies. The class operates under a Contract Grading system, and many assignments will be graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Final grades will be assigned using the UW's 4.0 scale.

Ready to get started?

Additional course policies, resources, and expectations are available in the full syllabus. All readings and assignments can be accessed through the Modules section. 

Course Summary:

Course Summary
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