HIST/AFST 2275, 2276: African-American History

This course examines African-American history from the African continent to modern America. HIST 2275 covers the African continent through the Civil War. Students will explore the trajectory of slavery and its global impacts and legacy, the development of racial thought, slave resistance and rebellions, the fight for Emancipation, and African American contributions to culture, economics, and society. HIST 2276 spans Reconstruction through the present. Students will examine the impact and legacy of Reconstruction, the fight against Jim Crow segregation, the social, cultural, political, and economic contributions of African Americans, and the global implications of race relations in the U.S.

Why take it?

Concepts of racial equality and social justice are often at the forefront of policy discussions that include such topics as the growth of the prison industrial complex, food deserts in urban areas, water safety in poor communities, economic disparities, and access to education. Students will integrate these concepts across a broad spectrum of disciplines such as Urban Planning, Engineering, Business, Education, Agriculture, Human Development, Political Science, and many more. At Virginia Tech, students have the opportunity to grapple with some of the most important issues facing our country and the world today, and help craft solutions to current problems.  African-American History demonstrates that history does not happen in a vacuum; that it is impactful, and that decisions often have long-term, unforeseen implications. African-American History provides the groundwork for demonstrating the historic precedent for many current issues and challenges facing our country.

Requirements

There are no prerequisites for this course.

This course fulfills Pathways requirements in Critical Thinking in the Humanities, Critical Analysis of Identity and Equity in the United States, and Intercultural and Global Awareness.