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Courses - AFRS Lower Division

100. Composition II (3)

Prerequisite: Score of 147 or above on the English Placement Test; ā€œCā€ or better in AFRS 100S, ASAM 100S, CHLS 104S, ENGL 100S, ALI 150; or consent of instructor.
Composition II does not count toward meeting the major requirements. It does count toward graduation and will be included in the overall GPA.
Expository writing course designed for first-year students. Satisfies one of the writing requirements for general education at CSULB. Emphasizes academic writing, focusing primarily on analytical reading and thesis-driven writing.
Same course as ENGL 100, ASAM 100, CHLS 104. Not open for credit to students with credit in: ENGL 100, ASAM 100, CHLS 104.

100S. Composition I (3)

Prerequisite: Students who score 146 or below on the English Placement Test and who have not taken equivalent courses in another department are eligible for enrollment in this course.
Composition I does not count toward meeting the major requirements. It does count toward graduation and will be included in the overall GPA. Must have a "C" or better to earn credit in GE.
Basic course in writing, offering intensive practice in every stage of writing process from generating ideas to final proofreading, as well as to the developing stronger reading comprehension for specific writing tasks.
Same course as ASAM 100S, CHLS 104S, ENGL 100S. Not open for credit to students with credit in AFRS 1; ASAM 1, CHLS 1, ENGL 1, ASAM 100S, CHLS 104S, ENGL 100S, ESW 100S.

110. Introduction to Africana Studies (3)

Prerequisite/Corequisite: One GE Foundation course.
A critical survey of the major themes, issues, concepts, current research, schools of thought, theorists and scholars in the discipline of Africana Studies, as well as its historical evolution and academic rationale.

120. African American History to 1865 (3)

Prerequisite/Corequisite: One GE Foundation course.
Survey course on African American history with origins in African culture and civilization. Focus on the role, impact and significance of African Americans in the U.S. from the colonial period through the American Revolution, enslavement and the Civil War.

121. African American History Since 1865-Present (3)

Prerequistie/Corequistie: One GE Foundation course.
Impact of social, economic and political change on African Americans after the Reconstruction period. Issues of migration, education, cultural development and business enterprises will be examined.

140. Introduction to African American Literature (3)

Prerequisite/Corequisite: One GE Foundation course.
A study of selected or representative literature of the African American writer. Special attention will be given to style, content, methodology and thematic approach.

150. Critical Thinking in Africana Studies (3)

Prerequisite/Corequisite: AFRS 100 or GE Composition (Area A1) or equivalent.
Introduction to the nature and process of critical thinking. Extensive practice in critical reasoning directed toward developing cognitive skills and dispositions central to its application in academic work and in the analysis and advocacy of personal perspectives and social issues.

154. Introduction to Africana Women's Studies (3)

Prerequisite/Corequisite: One GE Foundation course.
Critical introduction to basic concepts, perspectives and methodology in Africana women studies, focusing on historical and contemporary continental and diasporan African women's experience, initiatives, issues, and intersections of race/class/gender within the context of their oppression, resistance and internal creative capacity.

155. African American Music (3)

Prerequisite/Corequisite: One GE Foundation course.
Nontechnical survey of African American music. Some attention given to the impact of social movements on the musician and the music produced. Gospel, jazz and well-known derivatives will be highlighted.

160. Introduction to Africana Arts (3)

Prerequisite/Corequisite: One GE Foundation course.
A presentation of prevailing themes, methodology, concepts and meaning in African American art. Equal time will be given to early and contemporary art. The work of some Continental African artists will be introduced as appropriate.

170A. Elementary Swahili (4)

Prerequisites/Corequisite: Any Foundation course.
Introduction to grammar, syntax, comprehension, reading, writing and conversation in the language. Attention will be given to cultural context throughout the course.
Letter grade only (A-F).

170B. Elementary Swahili (4)

Prerequisites: AFRS 170A or equivalent competency.
A continuation of AFRS 170A. Advanced grammar, syntax, comprehension, reading, writing and conversation in the language
Letter grade only(A-F).

177. African American Rhetoric (3)

Prerequisite/Corequisite: AFRS 100 or GE Composition (Area A1) or equivalent.
Principles and practice of excellent public speaking (medu nefer) from an Afrocentric perspective including: extensive practice in preparation and presentation; developing persuasive arguments; cultivating critical and ethical thinking, listening and cultural sensitivity; audience evaluation, adaptation and engagement; and building confidence.

200. Ancient African Civilizations (3)

Prerequisite: GE Foundation requirements.
A study of ancient African empires, kingdoms and states, including discussions of political institutions, social structures, education, cultural values, trade and international relations.

201. History of Slavery (3)

Prerequisite: GE Foundation requirements.
Historical examination of trans-Atlantic slave trade and its impact on Africa and the Western Hemisphere. Nature of slavery in Africa, Greece, Italy, the Caribbean, the Middle East, South America, and the United States. Legacy of slavery.

210. African American Community (3)

Prerequisites: GE Foundation requirements.
Examines the social structure and challenges in the community life of African-Americans as compared to other ethnic groups. Explore and analyze how institutional and stratified pattern, demographic changes, social movements, community organizational programs affect African-Americans. Case studies presented.

214. Introduction to Africana Aesthetics (3)

Prerequisite: GE A.1 (Communication). Corequisite GE A.3 (Critical Thinking)
African Aesthetic is the philosophy of goodness, beauty and creativity informed by an African worldview. Surveys key 20th century writing on Africana aesthetics by African philosophers, such as Alain Locke, W.E.B. Dubois, Zora Neale Hurston, and Margaret Walker.
Letter grade only (A-F).

215. U.S. Diversity and the Ethnic Experience (3)

Prerequisities: Open only to Integrated Teacher Education Program students.
Survey of four major ethnic groups (American Indians, African American, Latino American, and Asian American) in American society from the colonial era to the present. Special attention to the formation and transformation of each ethnic group and their individual and collective roles in the development of the United States.
Letter grade only (A-F). Same course as AIS 215, ASAM 215, and CHLS 215. Not open for credit to students with credit in AIS 215, ASAM 215, CHLS 215. Departments take turn offering course in the Fall semester.

216. Caribbean Intellectual Thought (3)

Prerequisite: AFRS 110.
An introduction to 20th century Caribbean intellectuals and their contributions to African American social and political thought and issues facing the African diaspora.
Letter grade only (A-F).

240. African and African American Folklore and Culture (3)

An examination and presentation of material on folklore, folk tales, and folk heroes in the African American community. Some attention also given to African mythology.

254. Africana Womanist Religious Thought (3)

Prerequisite: AFRS 110 or AFRS 154.
Critical survey of the major spiritual and ethical themes and concepts of Africana womanist religious thought in Christianity, Islam and African traditions of Kawaida, Ifa and Maat, including voice, Afrocentricity, claiming, naming, self-defining gender jihad, complementarity, mutual respect, and reciprocity.
Letter grade only (A-F).

255. Introduction to Hip Hop (3)

Prerequisites: GE Foundation requirements.
A critical exploration of Hip Hop's history and culture, which includes analysis of its impact and influence on contemporary aesthetic culture, race relations, gender politics and struggles for social justice.


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