African American Studies

All forms and materials can be returned to Conseula Francis at 26 Glebe or at francisc@cofc.edu.

Declare an African American Studies Minor

Become an Affiliated Faculty Member

Submit an essay for the AAST Writing Award

Director

Conseula Francis is director of the African American Studies Program and associate professor of English at the College of Charleston. She earned her Ph.D. in English from the University of Washington in 2002, and taught there and at Antioch University in Seattle before coming to the College of Charleston.

Her publications include “(Re)Making a Difference: The Harlem Renaissance and the Anxiety of 1926,” published in the Langston Hughes Review  and Conversations with Octavia Butler, forthcoming from University Press of Mississippi.  She is currently completing An Honest Man and a Good Writer: The Critical Reception of James Baldwin, 1963-2000 (under contract with Camden House Press).  Her research interests include black intellectual thought and literary movements, blackness in the American imagination, the African American novel, and black science fiction and comic books.

She teaches African American literature courses, as well surveys of American literature and the graphic novel, at the College of Charleston.

Faculty

Hollis France
Political Science 

Valerie Frazier
English

Renard Harris
Elementary and Early Childhood Education

George Hopkins
History

Roneka Matheny
Adjunct

Bill Moore
Political Science

Jack Parsons
Political Science

Alison Piepmeier
Director, Women’s and Gender Studies
English

Bernard Powers
History

Eric Thomas
Religious Studies

Joy Vandervort-Cobb
Theater

Trevor Weston
Music

Anthony Williams
Philosophy

The African American Studies Program offers a wide range of courses from a variety of disciplines, as well as special topics, independent study, and internship courses.  Below is a list of current course offerings.  For further information about courses, please contact Conseula Francis at 843-953-7738 or francisc@cofc.edu.

Spring 2009 Course Offerings

Introduction to African American Studies/Roneka Matheny
MWF; 10:00-11:50
MWF; 11:00-11:50
MWF; 1:00-1:50

ENGL 313: African American Literature/Valerie Frazier
TR; 12:15-1:30

HIST 210: Civil Rights Movement/Bernard Powers
MWF; 10:00-10:50

HIST 217: African American History since 1865/Bernard Powers
MWF; 12:00-12:50

MUSC 222: African American Music/Trevor Weston
TR; 10:50-12:05

POLS 390: Southern Politics/Bill Moore
W; 4:00-6:45

THTR 316: African American Theater/Joy Vandervort-Cobb
TR; 12:15-1:30

Students can also enroll in AAST 400 (independent study) and AAST 381 (internship).There are a number of archives (including the Avey Research Center here at the College), libraries, museums, and historic homes eager for students to work with them for academic credit. In addition, you can receive AAST credit for interning at law offices, hospitals, businesses, etc.

Requirements

The African American Studies Minor consists of 18 hours of interdisciplinary coursework in African American studies. At least nine hours in the minor at the 200 level or above must be earned at the College of Charleston. To sign up for the minor, contact Dr. Conseula Francis at her office (22B Glebe, #202) or by email at francisc@cofc.edu.

Each student must complete:

AAST 200: Introduction to African American Studies
6 hours in History (HIST 216 and HIST 217)
3 hours in English (ENGL 216 or ENGL 313)
6 elective hours

The following courses count for AAST credit:

ENGL 216 Introduction to African American Literature

This class for non-majors introduces students to
major African American writers from the 18th century
to the present day.

ENGL 313 African American Literature

A survey of African American literature from the mid-
18th century to the present.

HIST 216 African American History to 1877

Beginning with the African background, this course
surveys the experience of African Americans from
the colonial era through the Civil War. Particular
attention will be devoted to the Atlantic slave trade,
the North American slave experience, free blacks,
abolitionism and the social and political implications
of the Civil War as these affected black people.
Prerequisites: HIST 101–102 or HIST 103–104.

HIST 217 African American History, 1877 to Present

This course examines the historical experience of
African Americans beginning with the period following
the Civil War and continuing until the present
time. Among the topics covered are: Reconstruction,
blacks in the New South, African American leadership,
the impact of the world wars, the consequences
of the Great Depression and New Deal and the rise of
civil rights activism.
Prerequisites: HIST 101–102 or HIST 103–104.

ANTH 322 Peoples and Cultures of Africa

A review of the major socio-cultural developments in
prehistoric and historic Africa.
Prerequisite: ANTH 101 or permission of the
instructor.

ANTH 323 African American Society and Culture

A survey of African American society and culture
beginning with the African homeland and ending
with an exploration of contemporary issues facing
New World African communities. Credit cannot be
received for both ANTH 323 and SOCY 363.
Prerequisite: ANTH 101 or permission of the
instructor.

ANTH 327 Peoples and Cultures of the Caribbean

An examination of the history of the people of the
Caribbean and the development of their diverse cultural
traditions.
Prerequisite: ANTH 101 or permission of the
instructor.

HIST 272 Pre-Colonial Africa

An introduction to the pre-colonial history of sub-
Saharan Africa. Special attention will be placed on
the growth of Islam in West Africa, the East African
city-states and kingdoms and the upheaval in 19thcentury
southern Africa. African slavery and the slave
trade also will be considered.
Prerequisites: HIST 101–102 or HIST 103–104.

HIST 273 Modern Africa

A history of the development of Africa during the
modern period, including European penetration, the
colonial era, African resistance and independence and
contemporary issues.
Prerequisites: HIST 101–102 or HIST 103–10

HIST 320 Special Topics in Low Country History

Intensive examination of a specific topic in the history
of the Lowcountry (the tidewater and the adjacent
islands between Winyah Bay and Florida). The course
will consider the European, African and Caribbean
components of Lowcountry culture. Specific topic will
be listed with the course title when offered.
Prerequisites: HIST 101–102 or HIST 103–104 or
permission of the instructor.

HIST 420 Research Seminar in Low Country History

A topical seminar focused around a central historical
problem in the history of the Lowcountry (the tidewater
and the adjacent islands between Winyah Bay
and Florida). The course will consider the European,
African, and Caribbean components of Lowcountry
culture. Specific topic will be listed with the course
title when offered.
Prerequisites: HIST 101–102 or HIST 103–104, HIST
299, juniors and seniors only, and permission of the
instructor and the department chair.

LANG 250 West African Literature in Translation

MUSC 222 Special Topics: African American Music

This course is a series of special topics courses
designed for the non-music major. Course topics
will change from semester to semester and will
remain broad so as not to require an extensive
background in music. The ability to read music is not
required. Like MUSC 131, MUSC 222 is accepted as a
humanities credit.

POLS 390 Southern Politics

Southern Politics is a comparative study of selected
political patterns and trends in the southern states
since World War II.
Prerequisite: POLS 101.

POLS 322 Politics of Africa

Politics of Africa surveys political and related economic
and social dynamics in selected African nations.

POLS 366 International Diplomacy Studies

This course investigates the structure, operation, and
prospects of international and/or regional organizations
such as the United Nations, Organization
of African Unity, Organization of American States,
Arab League, etc. The class includes participation
in international or regional organization models. A
minimum GPA of 2.5 is required for participation.
Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.

RELS 270 African American Religions

This course explores the diversity of African-American
religions, from African roots to the Civil Rights
Movement, from Rastafari to Buddhism, from major
Christian denominations to Voudou and Gullah folk
magic. A key concern is the way in which religious
beliefs, practices and institutions inform African-
American life and culture.

SOCY 343 Race and Ethnic Relations

SOCY 363 African American Society and Culture

THTR 316 African American Theater

The study of the role, scope, and significance of
African American theatre in modern society through
the reading of representative plays and examination
of individuals and organizations that have fostered the
development and growth in the field.
Prerequisite: junior or senior standing.

What is African American Studies?

African American Studies began as a discipline formally with a student strike at San Francisco State in 1968.  Students demanded that the history and culture of black Americans be included as part of the curriculum and intellectual life on their campus.

The African American Studies Program at the College of Charleston carries on that legacy.  As an interdisciplinary minor focused on the study of the African American experience, African American Studies aims to provide students an understanding of the history and culture of African Americans; to introduce students to the diversity of African American experience in a variety of disciplines; to promote the study of African American history and culture in the community; and to make African American Studies an integral part of intellectual life at the College of Charleston.

What’s New in African American Studies?

• Sign Up for Spring 2009 Courses

In addition to the Introduction to African American Studies courses, AAST faculty are offering courses on the history of the Civil Rights Movement and African American music, literature, and theatre.  Check out our courses page for more info.

The African American Studies Program hosts and co-sponors various events each semester for students, faculty and staff, and the larger community.  A current list of programs offered this semester is included below.  For more information about all events, contact Conseula Francis at 843-953-7738 or by email at francisc@cofc.edu.

FALL 2008

*Brown Bag Book Discussion Series

Grab a lunch and join us for a series of informal lunch time book discussions.  The book selections are:

• Sept. 10, 2008–Soul City: A  Novel by Toure, which follows Cadillac Jackson has he tries to write the story of Soul City, a black utopia
• Oct. 8, 2008–When Chickenheads Come Home to Roost: A Hip Hop Feminist Breaks It Down by Joan Morgan, a collection essays on contemporary black womanhood
• Nov. 12, 2008–Being a Black Man: On the Corner of Progress and Peril, edited by Kevin Merida, which collects the Washington Post’s series on black masculinity

Location: Faculty House
Time: 12:00-1:30

How To Deal: Surviving as a Minority on a Majority Campus 

Date: sept. 25, 2008
Time: 1-3pm
Place: Stern Center 206

Feeling nappy in a world full of hair dryers? Having trouble getting along with your roommate? Tired of being the expert on “you people” in class? 

A panel of faculty and staff of color will share their experiences, offer advice, and answer questions about life as a minority student on a majority campus.  Refreshments will be served.

 *Hip Hop and Feminism 
A public lecture by Joan Morgan

Date: Oct. 23, 2008
Time: 7:00pm
Place: Avery Research Center Auditorium, 125 Bull Street

 Joan Morgan is an award-winning journalist and author and a provocative cultural critic. A self-confessed hip-hop junkie, she began her professional writing career freelancing for The Village Voice before having her work published by Vibe, Madison, Interview, MS, More, Spin, and numerous others. Formerly the executive editor of Essence, she is the author of When Chickenheads Come Home to Roost, a fresh, witty, and irreverent collection that marks the literary debut of one of the most original, perceptive, and engaging young social commentators in America today. Her work appears in numerous college texts, as well as books on feminism, music, and African-American culture. Her unique style and experiences make her a talented media speaker.

PAST EVENTS

SPRING 2008

*Ethnic Notions

Film Screening

Date: January 24, 2008
Time:  7:00 pm
Place:  Admissions Auditorium, Robert Scotts Building

Ethnic Notions is Marlon Riggs’ Emmy-winning documentary that takes viewers on a disturbing voyage through American history, tracing for the first time the deep-rooted stereotypes which have fueled anti-black prejudice. Through these images we can begin to understand the evolution of racial consciousness in America.

*African American Read-In
Literary Event

Date: February 4, 2008
Time: 12-2 pm
Location: Addlestone 227

Join over a million readers in the Nineteenth National African American Read-In scheduled for Sunday, February 3 and Monday, February 4, 2008. The College of Charleston will celebrate this event with students, faculty, and staff reading aloud from works of African American literature.

*February One 

Film Screening

Date:  February 28, 2008
Time: 7:00 pm
Place:  Admissions Auditorium, Robert Scotts Small Building

In one remarkable day, four college freshmen changed the course of American history. February One tells the inspiring story surrounding the 1960 Greensboro lunch counter sit-ins that revitalized the Civil Rights Movement and set an example of student militancy for the coming decade. This moving film shows how a small group of determined individuals can galvanize a mass movement and focus a nation’s attention on injustice.

*Silence: In Search of Black Female Sexuality
Film Screening

Date: March 20, 2008
Time: 7pm
Location: Admissions Auditorium, Robert Scott Smalls Building

In this provocative documentary, filmmaker Mya B. explores the reasons for sexual silence in the black community. She also aims to destroy misconceptions about black women and reveal the truth about their sexuality. Experts from the medical, academic, cultural, and religious communities weigh in on this “forbidden” topic, but more importantly, everyday women express uncensored views about what black female sexuality means to them.

 FALL 2007

*Hip Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes
Film Screening

Date: Sept. 27, 2007
Time: 7:00pm
Place: Robert Scott Smalls Building Auditorium, CofC

This riveting documentary tackles issues of masculinity, sexism, violence and homophobia in today’s hip-hop culture. Sparking dialogue on hip-hop and its declarations on gender, HIP-HOP: Beyond Beats and Rhymes provides thoughtful insight from intelligent, divergent voices including rap artists, industry executives, rap fans and social critics from inside and outside the hip-hop generation. For more information, visit www.pbs.org/independentlens/hiphopThe film screening will be followed by a discussion led by Professor Conseula Francis, Professor Trevor Weston, and Professor Renard Harris. Part of the 2007-2009 Women’s and Gender Studies Black Guys and White Guys series.

*What Is Black Male Feminism?

A public lecture by Mark Anthony Neal

Date: Nov. 7, 2007
Time: 7:00pm
Place: Avery Research Center Auditorium, 125 Bull Street

MARK ANTHONY NEAL is the author of four books, What the Music Said: Black Popular Music and Black Public Culture (1998), Soul Babies: Black Popular Culture and the Post-Soul Aesthetic (2002), Songs in the Keys of Black Life: A Rhythm and Blues Nation (2003) and New Black Man: Rethinking Black Masculinity (2005). Neal is also the co-editor (with Murray Forman) of That’s the Joint!: The Hip-Hop Studies Reader (2004). Neal’s essays have been anthologized in more than half-a-dozen books, including the 2004 edition of the acclaimed series Da Capo Best Music Writing, edited by Mickey Hart. Neal is Associate Professor of Black Popular Culture in the Program in African and African American Studies and Director of the Institute for Critical U.S. Studies (ICUSS) at Duke University.Part of the WGS Black Guys and White Guys series.