AFH 101: The Wonders of the Black World

This class is an introductory, general education, diversity class in which students are introduced to global issues that directly impact their lives. Starting with the construction of Blackness in the United States at the intersection between historical memories and American indigenous knowledge, the class analyzes what it means to be Back today: in the United States first, using the students own environment and histories, and then across the general landscape of Global Blackness. The goal is to lay the background for an appreciation of the Black world in its diverse manifestations from Africa to the Americas (Latin America, United States, Canada, the Caribbean), from Asia (India, the Middle East) to Europe (Spain, France, England, etc.).

SBC:     DIV, GLO

3 credits

AFH 205: Contemporary African Literature

Contemporary African Literature is an introductory course on fictional and nonfictional works by canonized African writers from the African continent and the diaspora. Close readings of literature by authors from the 1950s to the present day, such as Chinua Achebe, Ngugi Wa Thiong'o, and Chimamanda Adichie unveil literary traditions, themes, and motifs specific to African writing. An examination of the writers' attention to topics such as (colonialism, ethnic war, gender oppression, migration, and Afropolitanism) allows for a critical analysis of the historical, social, and political issues on the African continent. The authors' discussions about globalization and its impact on African nations, particularly in relationship to the global marketplace, highlight the paradoxical nature of Africa's rich natural resources (oil, diamonds and coltan) against the continent's economic dependency on global investors. Postcolonialism, Feminism, and Psychoanalytic theory will enrich students' interpretation and analysis of the texts.

DEC:     J
SBC:     GLO, HUM

3 credits

AFH 206: Great Books of the Black Experience

An exploration of some of the key writings from autobiographies to novels, etc., important to becoming familiar with central lines of thought and interpretation in the larger Black Experience. Focus and readings vary depending on each semester's emphasis.

Advisory Prerequisite: U2 standing

DEC:     B
SBC:     HUM

3 credits

AFH 215: Hip Hop and the Intellectual Tradition

Examines the world of hip-hop, by framing it within the fields of intellectual theory and examining the scholarly and artistic contributions of rap artists, writers, and scholars who intellectualize the global and cultural phenomenon of Hip Hop. This course will attempt to complicate the largely historical and non-theoretical treatment of hip hop in mass-mediated portrayals by engaging in a cultural studies critique of youth cultural formations and the rapid global industrialization of hip-hop. The course will also highlight how contemporary issues concerning racial and gender politics, sexual orientation, globalization, and neocolonialism are tackled by the music and culture.

DEC:     G
SBC:     HUM

3 credits

AFH 249: African-American Literature and Music in the 19th and 20th Centuries

A detailed look at African-American literature and music and their importance for American literature and music of the 19th and 20th centuries. An examination of the literature with attention to the special stylistic devices, tones of literary voice, and characterization that writers use in their efforts to match the music experience with the written word. Selections from the recordings of African-American and African-American inspired musicians -- from Bessie Smith and Louis Armstrong to Jimi Henrix and the Rolling Stones.This course is offered as both AFH 249 and EGL 249.

Advisory Prerequisite: one D.E.C. category B or D course or one HUM or ARTS course

DEC:     K
SBC:     HFA+

3 credits

AFH 282: Contemporary Caribbean Women's Literature

Examines the political, social, and historical experiences of women from anglophone francophone, and hispanophone Caribbean nations. The readings, movies, and projects selected for the course highlight reccurent themes in Caribbean literature such as exile, migration, identity, colorism, slavery, sexual oppression, transnational motherhood, and identity politics. Feminist criticism, Postcolonialsm, and critical race theory will be applied to our reading of the texts. This course is offered as both AFS 282 and WST 282.

SBC:     DIV, GLO, HUM

3 credits

AFH 329: Pan-African Literature I

An examination of the cultural themes of Pan-Africanism and negritude, drawing on a selection of writers from the United States, Africa, and the Caribbean. The course treats the development, diffusion, and significance of these themes. It involves intensive consideration of selected literary works of African and African-American expression. This course is offered as both AFH 329 and HUF 318.

Prerequisite: U3 or U4 standing

Advisory Prerequisites: Two courses in literature

3 credits

AFH 330: Pan-African Literature II

An examination of the cultural themes of Pan-Africanism and negritude, drawing on a selection of writers from the United States, Africa, and the Caribbean. The course treats the development, diffusion, and significance of these themes. It involves intensive consideration of selected literary works of African and African-American expression.

Prerequisite: U3 or U4 standing

Advisory Prerequisites: Two courses in literature

3 credits

AFH 339: Arts of the African Diaspora

A study of the arts of the African Diaspora from the African continent to Brazil, Surinam, the Caribbean, and the United States. Emphasis is on the full range of art forms, including not only sculptural and performance traditions, but also textiles, basketry, and other crafts. Cultural continuities, spiritual belief, and significant changes in context, meaning, style, and technology are examined. This course is offered as both AFH 339 and ARH 329.

Prerequisite: U3 or U4 standing

Advisory Prerequisite: ARH 201

3 credits

AFH 368: Caribbean and American Connections in Literature

An exploration of the connections between writers from the French-speaking and English-speaking Caribbean and from the African-American community, who share a similar cultural heritage, historical heritage, and historical experience, but differ in geopolitical situations. Special attention is paid to spirituality, gender, and identity motifs in the literature. Covers the Interdisciplinary topic for the English major. This course is offered as both AFH 368 and EGL 368.

Prerequisite: U3 or U4 standing

Advisory Prerequisite: One literature course at the 200 level or higher

3 credits

AFH 379: Philosophy of Race (III)

Examination of our assumptions about race and the impact of those assumptions on issues concerning gender, class, and sexuality throughout American history. Readings include critical race theory, feminist theory, and critical legal theory. Students examine racial issues from a philosophical perspective and consider the ways in which representations of race may reinforce patterns of power and privilege. This course is offered as both AFH 379 and PHI 379.

Prerequisite: one PHI course

DEC:     K
SBC:     CER, HFA+, USA

3 credits

AFH 380: African American and Caribbean Theatre

African American and Caribbean Theatre examines the connection between Black theatre and political and social movements of the 1940s to the 2000s. The course studies how playwrights use theatre to educate audiences about specific injustices of the day. An historical reading of the plays by playwrights such as Wole Soyinka, August Wilson, Lorraine Hansberry, and Susan Lori Parks introduces students to major topics for discussion in black theatre, including racial politics, socio-political disenfranchisement, the struggle to define self, and alienation from the community/society.

Prerequisite: U3 or U4 standing

DEC:     G
SBC:     GLO, HFA+

3 credits

AFH 382: Black Women's Literature of the African Diaspora

Black women's literature presents students with the opportunity to examine through literature the political, social, and historical experiences of Black women from the African Diaspora. The course is structured around five major themes commonly addressed in Black women's writing: Black female oppression, sexual politics of Black womanhood, Black female sexuality, Black male/female relationships, and Black women and defining self. Covers the Interdisciplinary topic for the English major. This course is offered as AFH 382, EGL 382, and WST 382.

Prerequisite: U3 or U4 standing

DEC:     G
SBC:     DIV, HFA+

3 credits

AFH 385: French Caribbean Literature

A study of representative texts from the French Caribbean translated into English, focusing on literary manifestations of a search for a specific identity by writers from Martinique, Guadeloupe, French Guiana, and Haiti. This course is offered as both AFH 385 and HUF 385.

Prerequisite: Junior or Senior Standing

DEC:     J
SBC:     HFA+

3 credits

AFH 390: Topics in Africana Studies

May be repeated for credit as the topic changes. Designed for upper-division students, this course provides an in-depth study of a specific topic within humanities disciplines such as music, art, literature, religion, and philosophy. Students will be expected to demonstrate knowledge of the conventions and methods used in the humanities discipline(s) studied. Past topics have included titles such as Black Women Writers; Autobiography and Biography as Black History; and The African Novel: Origins and Development. May be repeated as the topic changes.

Prerequisite: U3 or U4 standing

Advisory Prerequisite: AFS 101 or 102 or two courses in the humanities

3 credits

AFH 391: Topics in Africana Studies

May be repeated for credit as the topic changes. Designed for upper-division students, this course provides an in-depth study of a specific topic within humanities disciplines such as music, art, literature, religion, and philosophy. Students will be expected to demonstrate knowledge of the conventions and methods used in the humanities discipline(s) studied. Past topics have included titles such as Black Women Writers; Autobiography and Biography as Black History; and The African Novel: Origins and Development. May be repeated as the topic changes.

Prerequisite: U3 or U4 standing

Advisory Prerequisite: AFS 101 or 102 or two courses in the humanities

3 credits

AFH 423: Africana Literature in French

An examination of a range of literature in French produced by writers throughout the African diaspora who claim affiliation with Africa. While the course is conducted in French, students will have the option to write papers in either French or English. Competence in reading and speaking French is a requirement for the course. This course is offered as both AFH 423 and FRN 423.

Prerequisite: A 200-level course in literature. For French majors, FRN 395, 396 or Permission of the Instructor.

DEC:     J
SBC:     HFA+

3 credits

AFH 444: Experiential Learning

This course is designed for students who engage in a substantial, structured experiential learning activity in conjunction with another class. Experiential learning occurs when knowledge acquired through formal learning and past experience are applied to a "real-world" setting or problem to create new knowledge through a process of reflection, critical analysis, feedback and synthesis. Beyond-the-classroom experiences that support experiential learning may include: service learning, mentored research, field work, or an internship.

Prerequisite: WRT 102 or equivalent; permission of the instructor and approval of the EXP+ contract (http://sb.cc.stonybrook.edu/bulletin/current/policiesandregulations/degree_requirements/EXPplus.php)

SBC:     EXP+

0 credit, S/U grading

AFH 447: Readings in Africana Studies

Individually supervised reading in selected topics in the Black Experience. May be repeated once.

Prerequisite: Permission of instructor and program director

SBC:     ESI

1-3 credits

AFH 475: Undergraduate Teaching Practicum I

Work with a faculty member as an assistant in one of the faculty member's regularly scheduled classes. The student is required to attend all the classes, do all the regularly assigned work, and meet with the faculty member at regularly scheduled times to discuss the intellectual and pedagogical matters relating to the course. Students may not serve as teaching assistants in the same course twice. Not for major or minor credit.

Prerequisites: Africana studies major or minor; U4 standing; permission of instructor

SBC:     EXP+

3 credits, S/U grading

AFH 476: Undergraduate Teaching Practicum II

Work with a faculty member as an assistant in one of the faculty member's regularly scheduled classes. The student is required to attend all the classes, do all the regularly assigned work, and meet with the faculty member at regularly scheduled times to discuss the intellectual and pedagogical matters relating to the course. Students assume greater responsibility in such areas as leading discussions and analyzing results of tests that have already been graded. Students may not serve as teaching assistants in the same course twice. Not for major or minor credit.

Prerequisites: AFS 475; permission of instructor

SBC:     EXP+

3 credits, S/U grading

AFH 487: Research in Africana Studies

Individual research projects in the Black Experience carried out under the direct supervision of a faculty member. May be repeated to a limit of 6 credits.

Prerequisite: Permission of instructor and program director

SBC:     ESI

0-3 credits