HIST 235 - The History of African Americans to 1865

(HUMD, GEIR, GEEL, GCP)

One of two related courses (with HIST 236), which may be taken in either order, that survey the history of African Americans in America. Topics include theories of the origins of human life and civilization in Africa; slavery in the ancient and modern worlds; the Atlantic slave trade; slavery in the Americas; the transformation of Africans to African Americans; the development of African American culture; the antislavery movement; and the attempt of African Americans to make the Civil War a war for emancipation. This course does not substitute for HIST 236. Assessment Level(s): ENGL 101 /ENGL 011 , READ 120 . Three hours each week. Formerly HS 129.

3 semester hours

Course Outcomes:
Upon course completion, a student will be able to:

Trace the development of human beings in Africa and the rise of civilizations in the Ancient and Medieval periods.
Demonstrate understanding of the nature of slavery in traditional African society and the significance of the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
Compare and contrast the development of slave societies in the Americas, with special focus on British North America.
Assess the role of African Americans in the emergence of the American nation and the significance of race and citizenship in the new nation.
Demonstrate understanding of development of a slave society in the South and the development of African American culture.
Describe the life of African Americans in the North and West and their role in the abolitionist movement.
Assess the influence of African Americans in the American sectional crisis, from 1850 to 1876, and the significance of the Civil War and Reconstruction on the national questions of race and citizenship.

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