African American Studies (AFAM)
See Course Description Symbols and Terms for an explanation of course description terminology and symbols, the course numbering system, and course credit units.
AFAM 170 Introduction to Black/African American Studies 3 Units GE
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
Introduces the aims and objectives of Black and African American Studies. A critical examination of race and ethnicity as related to Black and African American people's experiences. This includes an assessment of how the dominant society impacts African Americans, including such factors as gender, sexuality, racism, poverty, and the current social/economic status of Black and African American people. The course includes Africa's legacy and diaspora in the U.S. 3 hours lecture. (000136)
General Education: Ethnic Studies (F)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Lower Division
AFAM 211 Sport, Power, and African American Athletes 3 Units
Typically Offered: Inquire at department
This course examines the significance and impact of Black athletes on the culture, economy, race relations, and internal dynamics of the United States. Historic in scope, the role of Black athletes and members of the USA's various Black communities are examined with particular emphasis on key sports such as boxing, baseball, basketball, football, gymnastics, and track and field. The emergence of Black women in modern athletics also receives careful review in addition to Black gay and lesbian athletes' voices on their dual sexual and racial identities. These issues and other sports-contextual situations are analyzed critically as we uncover the complexities of African Americans and class, gender, sexuality, and sport. 3 hours lecture. (022028)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Lower Division
AFAM 231 African American History 3 Units GE, USD
Typically Offered: Spring only
An examination of the history of persons of African descent in the United States and its colonial antecedents. Emphasis is on understanding the experiences of and culture created by African Americans from the seventeenth through the twentieth centuries. 3 hours lecture. (000138)
General Education: Humanities (C2)
Cross listing(s): HIST 231
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Lower Division; US Diversity
AFAM 296 African American Music 3 Units USD
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
A historical survey from the African heritage and Colonial times to the present. The types, forms, and styles of African American music are studied in relation to the African American experience. 3 hours discussion. (000141)
Cross listing(s): MUSC 296
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Lower Division; US Diversity
AFAM 320 Hip Hop Culture 3 Units
Prerequisite: Junior/Senior standing, faculty permission, or any MCGS introduction course.
Typically Offered: Inquire at department
Exploration of the many changes and challenges Hip-Hop Culture has undergone since the late 1970's and the introduction of "Rapper's Delight". Focus on the gradual emergence of five elements of the culture: 1) Graffiti writing, 2) DJing, 3) Break Dancing, 4) Rapping, and 5) the "culture of Hip-Hop, including Hip-Hop language, clothing, hair, and artifacts such as hats, jewelry, and clothing brands. Critique of the most controversial figure in the history of Hip-Hop, Tupac Shakur. Analysis of the themes of misogyny, homophobia, sexism, gang affiliation, gun violence, drugs, police brutality, and social activism. Course format is lecture, discussion, and video screening/analysis, with writing and oral presentation components. 3 hours lecture. (021990)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division
AFAM 355 The Sociology of African Americans 3 Units
Typically Offered: Inquire at department
This course examines the historical and social experiences that have shaped contemporary African American life, such as slavery, exploitation, oppression, and resistance (for example, the Civil Rights movement, the Black Power movement, and Hip Hop). Strategies for researching African American experiences are learned through analysis of Black popular culture, male/female relationships, urbanization, religion, and institutional racism. 3 hours lecture. (000140)
Cross listing(s): SOCI 355
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division
AFAM 398 Special Topics 1-3 Units
Typically Offered: Inquire at department
This course is for special topics offered for 1.0-3.0 units. Typically the topic is offered on a one-time-only basis and may vary from term to term and be different for different sections. See the Class Schedule for the specific topic being offered. 0 hours supervision. (021862)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course more than once
Course Attributes: Upper Division
AFAM 399 Special Problems 1-3 Units
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
This course is an independent study of special problems. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. 9 hours supervision. (022489)
Grade Basis: Credit/No Credit
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 6 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division
AFAM 410 Contemporary Issues in Black/African American Studies 3 Units
Prerequisite: AFAM 170.
Typically Offered: Inquire at department
In-depth exploration of current and emerging issues of particular relevance to Black/African American individuals and communities across the United States. Special focus on local and regional impact and/or influence. Topics might include self-representation in film; mixed racial/ethnic identities; cannabis use and societal perceptions; social movements; traditional culture and linguistic revitalization; gender and sexuality; economic development; law and politics; intergenerational trauma; literary, artistic, and cultural production; health and wellness; and education. 3 hours lecture. (022165)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division
AFAM 435 Black Political Thought 3 Units
Typically Offered: Inquire at department
This course is designed to expose students to an area of black political thought.
Drawing on the works of black scholars from several disparate yet inter-related backgrounds and disciplines - political science, philosophy, sociology, history, feminist studies, and law - this course is structured around issues such as slavery, Reconstruction, Black Nationalism, race and racism, and feminism that are central to black political thought and African American politics. 3 hours lecture. (022162)
Cross listing(s): POLS 435
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division
AFAM 498 Special Topics 1-3 Units
Typically Offered: Inquire at department
This course is for special topics offered for 1.0-3.0 units. Typically the topic is offered on a one-time-only basis and may vary from term to term and be different for different sections. See the Class Schedule for the specific topic being offered. 0 hours supervision. (021860)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course more than once
Course Attributes: Upper Division