Africana Studies (AFRS)

AFRS 100 General Studies Colloquium (Units: 3)

Developing the individual's awareness of race and ethnicity as it impacts educational achievement and attainment from preschool to the university level. The social, economic, and political relationships between schools and the community. Survey of theories, characteristics, methodologies, and application of innovative research methodologies to the African American educational experience and connection to other cultural communities.

AFRS 101 Introduction to Africana Studies (Units: 3)

Development of Africana Studies as an academic discipline. Topics include history, literature, psychology, politics, and others.

Course Attributes:

• D1: Social Sciences
• Am. Ethnic & Racial Minorities
• Social Justice

AFRS 111 Black Cultures and Personalities (Units: 3)

The cultural influence on the development of Black personality configurations.

Course Attributes:

• D1: Social Sciences
• Am. Ethnic & Racial Minorities
• Social Justice

AFRS 120 Communicating Realness: Minding the Gap (Units: 3)

The examination of communicating realness provides a framework for students in Africana Studies, and other areas; intellectual, academic, and pre-professional perspectives that permit the black voice and its myriad colloquial articulations, agencies of expression towards the development of communicating successfully while developing expansive communicative foundations in social justice, equity, culturally responsive practices that engage the students broadly in both their academic lives and in their communities. Practice in speaking, crucial listening, reasoning, and organizing, while using communication theory and techniques will support students to evaluate the effects of oral communication on the lives of Blacks and others.

Course Attributes:

• A1: Oral Communication
• Am. Ethnic & Racial Minorities

AFRS 125 Black Community Involvement Workshop (Units: 3)

Exploration of community organizations through actual involvement in various community agencies. Social, economic, and political resources in the community. May be repeated for a total of 6 units.

AFRS 200 Introduction to Black Psychology (Units: 3)

Theories, characteristic methodologies, and applicability to the African American behavioral experiences and interface with other cultural communities.

Course Attributes:

• D1: Social Sciences
• Am. Ethnic & Racial Minorities
• Global Perspectives
• Social Justice

AFRS 202 Black Men's Studies (Units: 3)

Exploration of diverse lives, experiences, and development of Black men and boys within the context of their families, communities, and society at large, and of the experience and development of Black manhood and masculinity from a cultural and historical lens within several societal dimensions.

Course Attributes:

• GE-F: Ethnic Studies
• Am. Ethnic & Racial Minorities
• Social Justice

AFRS 203 Black Social Sciences (Units: 3)

Methodological principles, key theoretical concepts of western social sciences, and applications in third world critical perspective. Work of Black social scientists that have added to understanding black experience. Relevance of western methods and theories to Black development.

Course Attributes:

• D1: Social Sciences
• Am. Ethnic & Racial Minorities
• Social Justice

AFRS 204 Black Creative Arts (Units: 3)

Culture of Black Americans through examination of the creativity of its women artists.

Course Attributes:

• C1: Arts
• Am. Ethnic & Racial Minorities
• Global Perspectives
• Social Justice

AFRS 205 Black Youth Development, Youth Activism, and Digital Media Literacy (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: AFRS 100.

Youth development and critical race and gender theories and concepts as they relate to the Black experience. Research Methods employed to document "community" and community power. Digital Media Literacy (mobile apps, documentary video, and filmmaking) as an ethnographic methodological approach to researching cities and schools. Analyze contemporary problems in urban and suburban schools and neighborhoods and the strategies that community members are using to combat those problems.

Course Attributes:

• GE-F: Ethnic Studies

AFRS 208 Introduction to African American History (Units: 3)

Examination of Black history in the United States from Colonial times to the present. A critical review of major themes including enslavement, abolitionism, the Civil War, urbanization, freedom, and civil rights. The aftermath of each theme will be analyzed. (Plus-minus ABC/NC, CR/NC grading)

Course Attributes:

• U.S. History
• D2: Social Sciences: US Hist.
• Am. Ethnic & Racial Minorities
• Global Perspectives
• Social Justice

AFRS 210 Introduction to Africana Literature (Units: 3)

Role of literature in the formulation, maintenance, and articulation of a cultural ethos.

Course Attributes:

• C2: Humanities
• C3 or C2: Humanities/Lit.
• Am. Ethnic & Racial Minorities
• Social Justice

AFRS 213 Science and Spirituality in Ancient Africa (Units: 3)

Science and mathematics, in an African religious-spiritual context, used to conduct business, build monuments, study star and planetary motion, and explain the origin and evolution of the universe. Basic systems of measurement and calculation from ancient and modern Africa.

AFRS 214 Second Year Written Composition: Africana Studies (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: ENG 114 or equivalent with a grade of CR or C- or better.

Development of expository and analytical writing skills through the study and appreciation of Black literature. Various authors and genres of Black literature from different historical and cultural periods. Literary criticism. Must be taken after a student has completed 24 units and before completing 60 units. (Plus/minus ABC/NC, CR/NC allowed)

Course Attributes:

• GE-F: Ethnic Studies
• Am. Ethnic & Racial Minorities
• Social Justice

AFRS 215 Introduction to Black Family Studies (Units: 3)

Theories and research about Black families in America. Emerging trends in Black families: ethnic stratification, family and marital stability, socialization processes, and research issues.

Course Attributes:

• E1 LLD Pre-Fall 2019
• D1: Social Sciences
• Am. Ethnic & Racial Minorities
• Global Perspectives
• Social Justice

AFRS 216 Pan African Science: History and Application (Units: 3)

Examination of African perspectives and approaches to and dissemination of science. While studying investigative research methodologies, students will observe established African scientists, develop general patterns in approaches to science, and analyze characteristic goals of science in the Pan African context. Lecture, 2 units; activity, 1 unit.

AFRS 221 African American Music: A 20th Century Survey (Units: 3)

History, growth, and development of African American music during the 20th century.

Course Attributes:

• C1: Arts
• Am. Ethnic & Racial Minorities

AFRS 230 African American Gospel Workshop (Units: 3)

Workshop on gospel music: traditional African antecedents of gospel music, religious and secular forms developed, and economic and political factors shaping gospel music. Guest appearance by a known gospel artist. Culminates in a student performance.

Course Attributes:

• C1: Arts
• Am. Ethnic & Racial Minorities

AFRS 233 Critical Race Theory & Critical Black Consciousness (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: ETHS 100.

Introduction to Africana Studies as an intellectual, political, and cultural project steeped in a long and international tradition of Black radicalism and African-centered thought. A broad survey of the ongoing process of Black cultural production and identity formation as structured through race and its intersection with gender, spirituality, sexuality, and social class.

Course Attributes:

• GE-F: Ethnic Studies

AFRS 235 Statistical Analysis in Africana Studies (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Students with Category III or IV placement for QR/Math or students who have not passed MATH 70 or ESM 70 with a C or better must concurrently enroll in MATH 112 or MATH 122.

Introductory statistics course taught through the lens of Africana Studies. Statistics are the mathematical procedures that researchers use to produce numerical values for the purpose of summarizing and interpreting information. Introduction to different methods of collecting numerical data and making social and cultural meaning from it. Explore approaches to systematically analyzing statistical data for the purpose of understanding and advancing the Africana social universe. Learn statistics from the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, a user-friendly statistical analysis software. (Note: For this course to satisfy General Education, students must earn a grade of C- or CR or better.)

Course Attributes:

• Social Justice

AFRS 240 Introduction to African American Theatre (Units: 3)

Introduction to the origins, history, growth, and development of African American theatre. Examination and analysis of the relationship between socio-cultural reality and African-American modes of artistic expression.

Course Attributes:

• GE-F: Ethnic Studies

AFRS 256 Hip Hop Workshop (Units: 3)

History, aesthetics, mechanics, and politics of Rap music and Hip Hop culture. African American aspects and African-centered qualities of the cultural movement known as Hip Hop.

Course Attributes:

• E1 LLD Pre-Fall 2019
• C1: Arts
• Am. Ethnic & Racial Minorities
• Environmental Sustainability
• Global Perspectives
• Social Justice

AFRS 260 Power, Racism, and Africana Liberation (Units: 3)

Behavioral and social sciences used to compare and analyze responses to racism by world culture and civilization of people of African descent across time, space, and geographical region.

Course Attributes:

• GE-F: Ethnic Studies
• Am. Ethnic & Racial Minorities
• Global Perspectives
• Social Justice

AFRS 266 Black Online: Cyberspace, Culture, and Community (Units: 3)

The impact of the information revolution and the digital divide on Black people worldwide. Understanding the need to blend cyber technology with the issues of Black culture and community.

Course Attributes:

• E1 LLD Pre-Fall 2019
• C2: Humanities
• Am. Ethnic & Racial Minorities
• Global Perspectives
• Social Justice

AFRS 270 Elementary Zulu Language and Culture (Units: 3)

Attainment of Intermediate-Low Level speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills.

AFRS 290 Malcolm X in the Context of Black Nationalism (Units: 3)

Critical examination of Malcolm X: his political, spiritual, economic, and social philosophy and programs in the historical context of Black Nationalism. Review of his legacy in contrast and comparison to other Black leaders such as Martin Luther King.

Course Attributes:

• GE-F: Ethnic Studies

AFRS 300 From Africa to Olmec America: Ancient African Prehistory and History (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or permission of the instructor.

Early African civilizations and the pre-colonial era: the history of the ancient empires of Nubia, Ethiopia, Congo, Zimbabwe, Zulus, etc. History of colonialism. Patterns of annexation. The journey of Africans from Africa to the Caribbean, Latin and South America, and the U.S.

Course Attributes:

• GE-F: Ethnic Studies
• Am. Ethnic & Racial Minorities
• Global Perspectives

AFRS 303 African American History (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or permission of the instructor.

Recurrent themes and issues in Black history since the 19th century. Reconstruction and the emergence of mass movements and counter-ideologies.

Course Attributes:

• GE-F: Ethnic Studies

AFRS 305 Ancient Egypt (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better or permission of the instructor.

History, religion, culture, economic system, and dynastic periods one of the world's greatest ancient civilizations, Egypt or KMT, the Black Country.

Course Attributes:

• UD-C: Arts and/or Humanities
• Am. Ethnic & Racial Minorities
• Global Perspectives
• Social Justice

AFRS 320 Black Politics, Mass Movements, and Liberation Themes (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or permission of the instructor.

Theoretical constructs and basic premises that draw on the political experiences of Black people. Review of political science theories as they have been applied to Blacks in the U.S.

Course Attributes:

• GE-F: Ethnic Studies

AFRS 326 Black Religion (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better or permission of the instructor.

Examination of the philosophical bases of contemporary Black religious movements. Reformation of traditional African, Islamic, Ancient Wisdom Mythology, Black Mysticism, Christian, and other current and historical religious concepts.

Course Attributes:

• UD-C: Arts and/or Humanities
• Am. Ethnic & Racial Minorities
• Social Justice

AFRS 335 The Black Woman: A Cultural Analysis (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or permission of the instructor.

Black women in the Americas, Caribbean, and on the African continent: their struggles for rights as Blacks and as women, contributions to the development of their societies, political aptitude, and artistic adeptness.

Course Attributes:

• E1 LLD Pre-Fall 2019
• Am. Ethnic & Racial Minorities
• Global Perspectives
• Social Justice

AFRS 340 Economics of the Black Community (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or permission of the instructor.

Economic problems of Black people. Role of Black labor in the American capitalistic economy. Welfare schemes and Black reactions to population control.

Course Attributes:

• GE-F: Ethnic Studies

AFRS 345 Blacks in Urban America (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or permission of the instructor.

Structural and cultural conditions such as poverty, economics, welfare, and political arrangements that impact urban America. Particular attention to how Black communities examine the influence of poverty and race on social policy and effective strategies and solutions for change.

Course Attributes:

• GE-F: Ethnic Studies

AFRS 350 Black Indians in the Americas (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better or permission of the instructor.

Examines factors impacting on multiracial identity formation among Native communities throughout the Americas with a specific focus on Black Indians. Explores concepts and theories regarding blood quantum, sovereignty, and land rights, and the social, legal, and political understanding of mixed-race Native Americans.
(This course is offered as AIS 350, AFRS 350, and LTNS 355. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

Course Attributes:

• UD-D: Social Sciences
• Am. Ethnic & Racial Minorities

AFRS 355 The Nation of Islam in America (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Upper-division standing, GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better, or permission of the instructor.

Exploration of the various meanings attributed to the Nation of Islam (NOI) cultural and religious practices. Emphasis on the ways in which the NOI's ideological structure has allowed it to function in the context of Black education. Examination of the lives of such figures as Wallace D. Fard, Elijah Muhammad, Malcolm X, and Louis Farrakhan. Other themes covered include: Five Percenters, Elijah Muhammad Studies, the NOI teachings in Popular Culture, the role of women in the NOI, the NOI's California connection, and the NOI and critical pedagogy.

Course Attributes:

• UD-D: Social Sciences
• Am. Ethnic & Racial Minorities
• Social Justice

AFRS 370 Health, Medicine, and Nutrition in the Black Community (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better or permission of the instructor.

Theoretical and practical implications of health and healing in the Black community today. Personal and community perspectives. Historical health disparities in the Black community. Includes interactive class activities and presentations from people in the community working to address these issues.

Course Attributes:

• UD-D: Social Sciences
• Am. Ethnic & Racial Minorities
• Environmental Sustainability
• Social Justice

AFRS 375 Law and the Black Community (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or permission of the instructor.

Contemporary and historical investigations of city, state, and federal laws and how they affect the human rights, self-determination, and survival of the Black community in America. Administration of justice by court, police, security, and legislative agencies.

Course Attributes:

• Calif State & Local Govt
• U.S. Govt CA State Local Govt
• U.S. History
• Am. Ethnic & Racial Minorities
• Social Justice

AFRS 376 Government, the Constitution, and Black Citizens (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or permission of the instructor.

Nature and source of constitutional power: federal and state. The interaction between the Supreme Court, Congress, and Presidency. Constitutional issues involving poor and Black citizens. [CSL may be available]

Course Attributes:

• U.S. Govt CA State Local Govt
• U.S. History
• Am. Ethnic & Racial Minorities
• Social Justice

AFRS 400 Black Arts and Humanities (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better or permission of the instructor.

Creative efforts of Black writers and artists. Values expressed in these works and their relation to African-American culture.

Course Attributes:

• UD-C: Arts and/or Humanities
• Am. Ethnic & Racial Minorities
• Social Justice

AFRS 401 Pan African Black Psychology: A North American, South American, and Caribbean Comparison (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or permission of the instructor.

Examination of how the "identity" and "Consciousness" of Afro-Brazilian, African-American, and Haitian people have been complicated and confused by enslavement, westernization, and the imposition of a White Supremacist ideology. Comparison of the similarities and differences between Afro-Brazil, Haitian, and U.S. African American retention.

Course Attributes:

• Am. Ethnic & Racial Minorities

AFRS 441 Black Performance Workshop - Lorraine Hansberry's - To Be Young, Gifted, and Black (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.

A close examination of author, activist, playwright, and feminist Lorraine Hansberry's life and work in literature, Civil Rights, Feminist Advocacies, The Black Arts Movement, and her journey towards iconic status as a woman of prolific artistry, her emergence as a feminist, an anti-racism activist, and warrior for human rights. Dramaturgical studies explore the biography "Looking for Lorraine" by Imani Perry, as well as her speeches, poetry, articles, and recordings of interviews. This examination will culminate in a performance of Hansberry's play "To Be Young, Gifted and Black."

AFRS 466 Black Lives Matter: Race and Social Movements (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better or permission of the instructor.

Analysis and applications concerning Africana/Black creativity and political strategy. Examinations of Black vanguard movements concerning social status, politics, cultural arts, civic engagement and educational innovations in the US, and explicating the nexus of power, racism, and violence. Solutions-oriented approaches and strategies for social change in terms of leadership, organization, and movements.

Course Attributes:

• UD-D: Social Sciences
• Am. Ethnic & Racial Minorities
• Social Justice

AFRS 500 The Life and Thought of Elijah Muhammad (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Upper-division standing, GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better, or permission of the instructor.

Examination of the life and thought of Elijah Muhammad through life story narratives. Exploration of Elijah Muhammads's teachings across disciplines and fields of study highlighting contributions to critical race theory, whiteness studies, education, hip hop, and Africana Studies.

Course Attributes:

• UD-D: Social Sciences
• Am. Ethnic & Racial Minorities
• Social Justice

AFRS 514 African Musical Diaspora (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or permission of the instructor.

Focus on the listening and practical analysis of select musical forms of the African Diaspora primarily found in the Western Hemisphere, which include the syncretization of indigenous and European cultures in Central, and South America, as well as the Caribbean and U.S. Concepts are introduced relating specific tonal, rhythmic, instrumental, and vocal forms to appropriate music-making contexts. Development and application of practical tools and creative concepts, as well as a critical understanding of source references. Lecture, 2 units; activity, 1 unit.

AFRS 515 Black Family Studies (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better or permission of the instructor.

Structure, history, and functioning of the Black family: African cultural traditions related to Black family life.

Course Attributes:

• UD-D: Social Sciences
• Am. Ethnic & Racial Minorities
• Environmental Sustainability
• Social Justice

AFRS 516 Research Methods (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better or permission of the instructor.

Application of research methods to Black populations and the Black community.

Course Attributes:

• UD-D: Social Sciences
• Social Justice

AFRS 525 Black Child Development (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or permission of the instructor.

Analysis of both traditional and innovative theoretical approaches to the study of Black children: areas of cognitive development, socialization, education, personality development, and the social context of childhood.

Course Attributes:

• GE-F: Ethnic Studies

AFRS 551 Applied Africana Studies (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or permission of the instructor.

Supervised fieldwork in community organizations enabling students to apply knowledge gained in classes to the solution of problems and development of the community. Lecture, 2 units; activity, 1 unit.

AFRS 645 Literature of the Harlem Renaissance (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better or permission of the instructor.

Reading of Harlem Renaissance writers including Countee Cullen, Nella Larsen, Zora Neale Hurston, and Langston Hughes. Hone reading and analytical writing skills through essays, class discussions, and structured group work.

Course Attributes:

• E1 LLD Pre-Fall 2019
• UD-C: Arts and/or Humanities
• Am. Ethnic & Racial Minorities
• Global Perspectives
• Social Justice

AFRS 647 Major Authors in Africana Studies (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division standing; AFRS 210. Intended primarily for Africana Studies majors.

Explore major authors in the context of Africana Studies. Course readings will focus on the author's oeuvre and include both primary texts and critical reflections upon the texts. May be repeated when topics vary.

Topics:

1. Octavia E. Butler: Africana Lit as Lib
2. Toni Morrison's Novels and Africana Studies
3. James Baldwin and Africana Studies

AFRS 665 Black Journalism (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better or permission of the instructor.

History, social role, function, and organization of print and broadcast journalism in relation to Black Americans. Writing, planning, and publication of papers and magazines. May be repeated for a total of 6 units.

Course Attributes:

• UD-C: Arts and/or Humanities
• Am. Ethnic & Racial Minorities

AFRS 675 Variable Topics in Africana Studies (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or permission of the instructor.

Examination of variable issues and topics in Africana studies. Topics to be specified in the Class Schedule. May be repeated for a total of 6 units when topics vary.

Course Attributes:

• GE-F: Ethnic Studies

Topics:

1. Critical Studies in Africana Sexualities
2. Africana Speculative Fiction, Comics, and Music

AFRS 678 Urban Issues of Black Children and Youth (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or permission of the instructor.

Examination of Black children and youth by understanding Black culture and history, behavior patterns, language, attitude, and family backgrounds. The role of education in African American traditions, stressing strategies for attaining excellence in an equitable environment.

Course Attributes:

• GE-F: Ethnic Studies

AFRS 685 Projects in the Teaching of Africana Studies (Units: 1-4)

Prerequisites: Upper-division standing; permission of the instructor.

Academic service-learning practicum/internship experience as an undergraduate instructional aide. Participation in the teaching of a regular instructionally-related class. Limited to undergraduate students only. (Students may earn a maximum of 4 units toward the baccalaureate degree for any course(s) numbered 685 regardless of discipline.)

AFRS 694 Community Service Learning (Units: 1-3)

Prerequisites: Upper-division standing or permission of the instructor; concurrent enrollment in an AFRS community service learning course.

Community service learning activity course. May be repeated for a total of 6 units. [CSL may be available]

AFRS 699 Independent Study (Units: 1-3)

Prerequisite: Permission of the major adviser, department chair, and instructor.

Supervised, individual study of a particular problem in Africana Studies. The student must state the problem, the method of data gathering, and the method of data analysis. May be repeated for a total of 6 units.

AFRS 705 Seminar in Africana Studies (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.

The historical and intellectual foundation of the Africana Studies discipline: critical knowledge base, cultural grounding, and intellectual orientation. Major philosophical, cultural, political, economic, and social developments and traditions found in African and African American society.