Keep up with your readings. In order to intelligently contribute to class discussion and, ultimately, to enter into the broader conversation around Africana studies it is crucial to be familiar with what is considered common knowledge in the field.
Assignments, readings, and messages will be submitted on our course Blackboard site. You are responsible for keeping current on the latest updates.
Each of the readings are available on our class LibGuide and/or on our Blackboard site. There are two books we will read together as a class and both are available for free online at the links below:
Frederick_Douglass,_An_American_Slave
We are all going to exchange ideas and learn the differences between beliefs, opinions, and ideology. Sometimes personal experiences and value systems will collide. We will maintain respectful communication at ALL times. Disagreement and debate will likely occur, however, they will occur without disrespect of any kind. Some materials will be sensitive, personal, and challenging, and rudeness and/or offensive language will not be tolerated and may result in your dismissal from the classroom. Active participation is required and will be considered in the final evaluations for this course. Participation is comprised by the following: attending class prepared (completing all readings prior to class time, and turning in assignments on time), being present and ready to start class promptly, contributing to class discussions in thoughtful ways, asking questions of your instructor and your classmates, demonstrating active listening, thoroughly engaging in all of the class activities, and supporting the sense of a safe community in the classroom. Ways to demonstrate support of a safe community can include being aware of your verbal and physical communication during classroom conversations, making efforts to be courteous and responsive to the members in our class through language, tone, and actions, and approaching the instructor with your concerns and questions.