Black Studies (BLK)

BLK100. Intro To Black Studies. 3 Credits.

Introductory survey course designed to acquaint the student with the methods of research, bibliographies, and key issues pertaining to the Black experience.

BLK101. The Modern World. 4 Credits.

Survey of world societies, rise of the west, capitalist world system and challenges to it, cultural and material interchanges among major world civilizations, formation of industrial-urban societies, the political and ideological foundations of current global civilizations.

BLK175. Issues in the Education of Underrepresented College Students. 3 Credits.

Study of issues related to education of students from underrepresented groups. Research data on achievement behavior; academic and social adjustment, and self-examination.

BLK193. Black Studies Selected Topic. 3-12 Credits.

Selected topics courses are regularly scheduled courses that focus on a particular topic of interest. Descriptions are printed in the Schedule of Classes each semester. Selected topics courses may be used as elective credit and may be repeated for credit, provided that the topic of the course changes.

BLK200. Introduction To Africa. 3 Credits.

An interdisciplinary approach to the examination of Black America's African heritage to exemplify the methods of historical inquiry and analysis, and the issues raised by conflicting interpretations.

BLK201. Black History I. 3 Credits.

A survey of Black history from Africa to the 20th Century; Americans of African ancestry and the development of their unique status and relationship to American history, as well as to African, Caribbean, and world developments.

BLK202. Black History II. 3 Credits.

A continuation of BLK201, covering the period from the beginning of the 20th century to the present. May be taken prior to or concurrently with BLK201.

BLK205. The Black and Latino Experiences:Writing For Scholars. 3 Credits.

Humanities course designed to enhance research and writing skills. Analysis of literary selections from the Black and Latino experiences, research in databases, and use of computer lab and Blackboard for editing and critiquing essays.

BLK221. The Black Woman. 3 Credits.

Historical, interdisciplinary examination of the life situation of the Black woman, principally in America. Contributions made by Black women in education, politics, business, and literature. Problems faced by the Black woman, her view of herself, her relation to the Black family, community, other women, and American society.

BLK231. Development of Afro-Latin Amer. Civilization (1492-1825). 3 Credits.

New World Communities in the Americas initiated by Spain and Portugal from 1492 to 1825. Black contributions to the growth and development of such nations as Columbia, Panama, Venezuela, Ecuador, Argentina, Peru, and Brazil.

BLK232. Contemporary Afro-Latin American Civilization Since 1825. 3 Credits.

A survey of Afro-Latin American communities since Emancipation and the rise of national racial philosophies after the 1850's in Peru, Argentina, Colombia, and Venezuela. Black participation in politics, literary circles, and labor groups will also be examined.

BLK240. The Black Man. 3 Credits.

Examination of the psychosocial, historical, political and economic conditions of men of African descent throughout the African diaspora, with special attention to those within the United States. Discussion of the role of the Black male in urban and street culture; the status and role performances of Black fathers; the historial and contemporary myths about the psychology and biology of African American males.

BLK250. Malcolm X Man and Times. 3 Credits.

A study of the life of Malcolm X as a contemporary Black every man, including an exploration of connections to essential themes in Afro-American and U.S. history.

BLK260. Essence of Black Music. 3 Credits.

Survey of the music created and performed by Black people, beginning with its roots in Africa and extending to blues, gospel, jazz, rhythm and blues, and contemporary popular music in the Americas.

BLK263. Black Dance. 3 Credits.

Theoretical and practical study of Black dance in Africa, the United States, the Caribbean, and South America. Examination of historical and contemporary forms within a cultural framework.

BLK264. African American Religion. 3 Credits.

African American religion is a study of the major theological, historical, political and social influences that shaped the development of the Black church and other religious institutions in the United States. Lecture/Discussion with videos.

BLK265. African American Art. 3 Credits.

A survey of the contributions of Afro-Americans to painting, sculpture, and other visual arts with a discussion of the African antecedents.

BLK268. Survey of Black American Literature. 3 Credits.

A survey of the works of major Black American writers with emphasis on fiction and the essay, but including also biography, poetry, and drama.

BLK269. Black Poetry and Drama. 3 Credits.

Critical study and oral reading of Black poetry and drama. Works of representative writers, such as Langston Hughes, Lorraine Hansberry, Wole Soyinka, Dennis Brutus, Gwendolyn Brooks, and Don L. Lee. Themes, styles, and aesthetic philosophies, and impact of both the oral and written traditions in the works.

BLK271. Black Sociology. 3 Credits.

This course familiarizes students with the basic concepts, ideas, arguments and theories in the area of Africana (Black) Sociology. Central to this discussion will be the sociology of power, racism and privilege as they affect Black people.

BLK272. Rap and Spoken Word. 3 Credits.

An analysis of rap and spoken word from the 1960's to the present. Focus on socio-cultural context, aesthetics, themes, styles; and on the impact of materialism, misogyny, controlling imagery and their relationship to the current conditions of African descendant people. Lecture/discussion/ with media imagery and performances.

BLK275. Advocacy Journalism in the Black Community. 3 Credits.

Journalistic techniques used to communicate with various advocacy groups; to explore and expose community problems and suggest solutions to those problems.

BLK285. Introduction to African Psychology: A Cultural Approach. 3 Credits.

Survey of theories and research concerning the nature of the African-descent people's psychosocial reality within traditional Africa and throughout the African diaspora. The African-centered cultural framework will be emphasized (that is, traditional African cultural perspectives and approaches to all things psychological will be emphasized). The course will cover such issues as the concepts and history of Black Psychology, the origins of African-centered psychology, the manifestation of the African worldview within traditional Africa and the African diaspora, and the role of African spirituality within traditional Africa and the African diaspora.

BLK290. The Political Economy of Black America. 3 Credits.

The economic base of the Black community and its role in establishing the political agenda of Black America.

BLK293. Black Studies Selected Topic. 3-12 Credits.

Selected topics courses are regularly scheduled courses that focus on a particular topic of interest. Descriptions are printed in the Schedule of Classes each semester. Selected topics courses may be used as elective credit and may be repeated for credit, provided that the topic of the course changes.

BLK295. Indep Study Black Studies. 1-12 Credits.

BLK296. Departmental Elective. 0 Credits.

BLK299. Modular Course. 0 Credits.

BLK300. Gospel Choir Voices of Unity. 2 Credits.

Contemporary gospel music, emphasizing voice techniques, solo and group performances, and the study of the roots of spiritualism and how it impacts on each individual performer.

BLK301. Survey of Pre-Colonial Africa to 1800. 3 Credits.

African initiatives in the development of sub-Saharan African society, from the coming of the Europeans in the sixteenth century to the decline of the slave trade and the increase in Euro-Asian intrusions in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

BLK302. Survey of Contemporary Africa: Nineteenth Cent to Present. 3 Credits.

An examination of political and economic change in nineteenth-century Africa, European for Africa, colonialism and under-development, the African drive for independence in the twentieth century, the establishment of independent nation-states, the modernization of African societies, and the liberation movements in southern Africa.

BLK309. Introduction to Afro-Brazilian History. 3 Credits.

Introduction to Afro-Brazilian History; contributions of Blacks to Brazilian society from the time of discovery to the present. The slavery and abolition of slavery period will receive considerable attention, as will politics, journalism, culture, and language, and religion.

BLK310. Blacks and the Media. 3 Credits.

Examination of mass communications media as they pertain to the Black community with special emphasis on the historical and contemporary role of the Black press.

BLK311. Blacks in the Caribbean, 1492-Present. 3 Credits.

Topics in this history course include slavery, abolition, creolization, Afro-Caribbean traditions in languages, religions, and politics. Belize, Jamaica, Grenada, Barbados, and Martinique, etc.

BLK315. Black and Latino Child Lit. 3 Credits.

An examination of the rapidly expanding body of literature on Black and Latino experiences written for children and youth. Analysis of "melting pot", "social conscious" and "culturally conscious" perspectives. Attention given to both authors and illustrators, as well as criteria for selection. Lecture/discussion with visual media.

BLK320. Contemporary Black American Literature. 3 Credits.

A sociological, political, and esthetic view of current works by Afro-American poets, prose and dramatic artists.

BLK323. Black Poetry. 3 Credits.

Introductory course designed to acquaint students with over 200 years of Black American poetry.

BLK325. History of Slavery in the Americas. 3 Credits.

A thematic examination of the socioeconomic and political impact of slavery in the North, South, Central and Caribbean regions.

BLK328. Black Drama in America. 3 Credits.

Investigation of the Black contribution to the American stage and the continuing artistic development within the perspective of the changing political, economic, and social scene.

BLK330. Race and Racism in US Hist. 3 Credits.

An examination of race and racism in United States history and their impact on race relations. Early European thought on race is assessed as a foundation stone for a similar mindset that took hold in the United States.

BLK331. The American Civil Rights Movement. 3 Credits.

An examination of the American Civil Rights Movement whose goals are an assessment of its motive force, organizational structure, personalities, accomplishments and failures, and its overall impact on U.S. society.

BLK333. Black Rhetoric. 3 Credits.

Study and analysis of the speaking of Black leaders, past and present, such as Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, Booker T. Washington, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Stokley Carmichael, Eldridge Cleaver, Adam Clayton Powell, Julian Bond, Roy Wilkins, Whitney Young, A. Philip Randolph, and us Jesse Jackson.

BLK335. Blacks and the American Law. 3 Credits.

Analysis of major decisions from Congress and the Supreme Court impacting life experiences of Blacks in the United States. Discussion of landmark cases, among them Plessey vs. Ferguson, Brown vs. The Board, Bakke vs.The University of California; The Civil Rights Act of 1964, The Voting Rights Act of 1965 and others.

BLK340. Psychology of Black Americans. 3 Credits.

This course surveys theories and research concerning the personality and mental health of African descent people. African-centered theories are contrasted with western theories. The Azibo Nosology of culture-specific personality disorders experienced by African descent people is explored.

BLK345. Black and Latino Leadership. 3 Credits.

Examination of models of leadership and key issues that affect leadership in the Black and Latino communities through the use of social science research. Possible solutions will be discussed.

BLK347. History of South Africa. 3 Credits.

Socioeconomic and political development of the South African state from 1652 to the present. Particular attention to the interrelationships of the Khoisan and Bantu with Anglo-Dutch; the entrenchment of the apartheid ideology and the rise of African nationalism.

BLK350. Contemporary Social Issues in the Black Community. 3 Credits.

Key issues that affect the Black community; social science research that analyzes the problems and suggests solutions.

BLK355. The Black Family. 3 Credits.

A socio-psychological analysis of the Black family; its African origins, adaptations to American experience, and strategies for aiding the survival and advancement of its members.

BLK357. Psychology of the Black Child. 3 Credits.

By utilizing observations and research the course explores the special cultural, political, and economic forces that shape the physical, cognitive, and emotional development of Black children. The course assumes that Black children are, in general, subject to forces that cause their psychological development to differ from that of the middle class American child studied in traditional child psychology courses.

BLK360. Politics of the U.S.A. and the Black Community. 3 Credits.

The relationship of the community to the broader politics of America viewed in historical perspective. Also includes an examination of contemporary techniques for social, political, and economic change in the Black American community.

BLK363. African Dance. 3 Credits.

Theoretical and practical study of traditional dances of the West and East coasts of Africa and dances from South Africa. Participants study the history of the dances within a cultural framework, while analyzing purposes/functions, drums, and drum rhythms from each region. Lecture/demonstration/movement.

BLK364. History of Black Political Thought. 3 Credits.

Comparative and historical study of the development of Black political thought from the seventeenth century to the present.

BLK369. History of Terrorism Against Blacks and Native Americans. 3 Credits.

The course examines from a comparative perspective the ideological bases of aspects of American violence perpetrated against Blacks and Native Americans along a historical continuum of terrorism up to the twentieth century.

BLK370. Education in the Black Community. 3 Credits.

Sociological, political and psychological issues that impact upon the educational goals, resources, and results of Black Americans; various meanings, functions, and goals of education for the Black community.

BLK372. Hip Hop Culture. 3 Credits.

Identification and critical examination of the foundations of Hip-Hop culture. Discussion and analysis of the evolution of Hip-Hop philosophy and its political and social impact on the community in which it originated.

BLK375. Black Gospel Music. 3 Credits.

Examination and exploration of the Black religious music tradition, including study of the styles of Negro spirituals, early gospel, gospel fusion/ hymns/ anthems, contemporary gospel and the many varieties of the new era secularized gospel music. Format: lecture/discussion with recordings and videos.

BLK380. Black Music of the 1960's. 3 Credits.

Examination and exploration of Black Music of the 1960's, i.e. the Civil Rights and Black Power eras, particularly from Motown, Atlantic and Philadelphia to Jamaican reggae and the sultry sound of new gospel. Format: lecture/discussion with recordings and videos.

BLK393. Black St Selected Topic. 3-12 Credits.

Selected topics courses are regularly scheduled courses that focus on a particular topic of interest. Descriptions are printed in the Schedule of Classes each semester. Selected topics courses may be used as elective credit and may be repeated for credit, provided that the topic of the course changes.

BLK396. Black English: Language and Culture. 3 Credits.

Theories of origin, structure, and semantics of Black English in America; comparisons with Standard American English and African-based English languages of Africa and the Caribbean; Black English and related lifestyles, such as the oral tradition, as cultural phenomena; language use and public policy.

BLK399. Modular Course. 0 Credits.

BLK401. Blacks in New York History. 3 Credits.

A thematic examination of the socio-economic and political contributions of peoples of African descent to the history of New York State, from the colonial period to the present.

BLK412. Critical Analysis of Black American Literature. 3 Credits.

Methods and tools of criticism of literature by or about Black Americans.

BLK415. Recurrent Themes in Black Literature. 3 Credits.

Examination of the themes of man/womanhood, identity, and alienation as they have been developed in African-American literature. Development of these themes in oral and written literature in various generations.

BLK417. The African Diaspora in World History. 3 Credits.

A thematic survey of communities of African descendants in the Diaspora, with particular attention to the cultural, economic, and racial parallels that link them across space and time. Regions examined in addition to Africa are the Americas, Europe, Middle and Far East.

BLK420. Counseling Underrepresented Students. 3 Credits.

Peer counseling of freshman students of underrepresented groups. Study of theories and approaches to counseling; achievement behavior; goal setting academic and social adjustment; and self-examination. Students study and discuss the literature and interact with freshmen assigned to them.

BLK430. Black Organization and Movements in the Twentieth Century. 3 Credits.

Historical development of various tendencies in the Black people's movement from the Dubois-Washington controversy, the organization of the Niagara Movement, the NAACP, the Garvey Movement, the Urban League, Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, Blacks in the CIO, National Negro Congress, CORE, SNCC, Black Muslims, Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and Black Panthers to possible perspectives for the twenty-first century.

BLK450. The Portuguese in Africa. 3 Credits.

A seminar on Portuguese expansion and involvement in Africa from the 15th century to the present. Examination of the motivating factors from the initial Portuguese expansion into Africa, giving consideration to Portugal's position in Medieval Europe, her uneconomic exploits along the East African Coast, historical basis for entrenchment in Mozambique and Angola, African reaction against Portuguese intrusion, and problems of development of Portuguese- speaking/African independent nation-states.

BLK460. West African Kingdoms in the Nineteenth Century. 3 Credits.

A seminar in the historiography of West African Kingdoms in the nineteenth century. Resilience and dynamism implicit in African economic and political institutions in a century that has been characterized as very revolutionary.

BLK490. Seminar in Black Studies. 3 Credits.

Topics and faculty vary from semester to semester. Emphasis on student research and the writing of a major seminar paper. Required of Black Studies majors.

BLK493. Black Studies Selected Topic. 3-12 Credits.

Selected topics courses are regularly scheduled courses that focus on a particular topic of interest. Descriptions are printed in the Schedule of Classes each semester. Selected topics courses may be used as elective credit and may be repeated for credit, provided that the topic of the course changes.

BLK494. Fieldwork In Black Studies. 3-12 Credits.

BLK495. Indep Study Black Studies. 1-12 Credits.