AFRS 236 - The Black Freedom Struggle

Semester Offered: Spring
1 unit(s)

(Same as HIST 236 and WFQS 236) This course considers the thought and organizing of Black activists in the Civil Rights Era. Importantly, Black activists did not all speak with one voice: they often disagreed on the path forward for Black Americans. For that reason, this course explores the diversity of Black political visions from roughly 1930 to 1980: liberalism, feminism, communism, nationalism, and combinations thereof. We devote special attention to the role of religion and spirituality in shaping Black social movements. Toward the end of the course, we consider how Black activists’ objectives shifted after Jim Crow’s end. Class readings consist of both historical and creative texts. Allison Puglisi.

Two 75-minute periods.

Course Format: CLS