African-American Studies

AAS 239. ECCE: Black Music in American Culture. 3 Hours.

This course has been designed to acquaint the student with the major issues and trends related to understanding the historical experiences of African American people in this country, through the study of the styles of music created by African Americans in the twentieth century: the blues, jazz, gospel, rhythm and blues, and rock and roll. Course Information: Same as MUS 239. This course fulfills an Engaged Citizenship Common Experience requirement at UIS in the area of U.S. Communities.

AAS 241. ECCE: Survey of African American History I. 3 Hours.

This course provides students with an introduction to African American history that covers ancient African cultures, the development of the transatlantic slave trade, the role of slavery as an economic system in the founding and development of the nation, and ends with the Civil War and Reconstruction. Course Information: Same as HIS 241 and LIS 241. This course fulfills an Engaged Citizenship Common Experience requirement at UIS in the area of U.S. Communities.

AAS 261. Survey of African American Literature. 3 Hours.

This course surveys the great diversity in African American literature from the colonial era up to the present. Special attention is given to the vernacular tradition and its effects on the creative production of Black people in the U. S. although some Caribbean and African authors may be read. Various interdisciplinary and critical frameworks will be presented to facilitate comprehension and discussion of course material, including audio/visual selections. Course Information: Same as ENG 231 and LIS 261. This course fulfills a general education requirement at UIS in the area of Humanities.

AAS 262. Calabash: Caribbean Literature and Culture. 3 Hours.

Surveys the great diversity in Caribbean cultural expressions with a focus on literature, music and film. Course Information: Same as ENG 232 and LIS 262. This course fulfills a general education requirement at UIS in the area of Humanities.

AAS 266. Apartheid and Resistance. 3 Hours.

This interdisciplinary course proposes to chart the various historical and cultural dynamics that characterized the indigenous people of South Africa's struggle to overcome the system of apartheid - a local form of the global phenomenon White supremacy.

AAS 301. ECCE: African American Studies. 3 Hours.

This course explores the interdisciplinary nature of African American Studies. It exposes students to the main topics, contributing fields of study and central paradigms associated with the discipline, i.e. the historical and contemporary social, religious, creative, cultural, political and economics experiences of people of African descent living in the United States. Although the focus is on the US, it necessarily presents a Pan-Africanist/diasporan orientation that pervades the discipline. Same as: LIS 302. Course Information: This course fulfills an Engaged Citizenship Common Experience requirement at UIS in the area of ECCE U.S. Communities.

AAS 320. Special Topics in AAS. 3 Hours.

Explores various topics related to African American history, cultural expressions, major figures, community or significant events. This Special Topics course may be centered in various disciplines.

AAS 335. ECCE: Black Women in Film History. 3 Hours.

This course examines representations of women of African descent in motion pictures from a historical perspective. By viewing Hollywood films from the 1950s through the beginning of the new millennium, students gain a broader context for understanding and appreciation today's films and stars. In addition to briefly examining independently produced films from the African continent and the Caribbean, students will critically discuss such issues as characterization and stereotypes, genre and the use of the musical; the construction of race, gender and sexuality in film and television; and the construction of Hollywood stardom and celebrity. Course Information: Same as WGS 365. This course fulfills an Engaged Citizenship Common Experience requirement at UIS in the area of U.S. Communities.

AAS 362. ECCE: Multicultural American Novels. 4 Hours.

This course explores contemporary American novels that explore diverse notions of community in a variety of subcultures. Attention will be given to gender, class and sexuality, as well as race ethnicity, and religion. The critical and creative readings help frame the questions "what is American" and "what is a novel?" Course Information: Same as LIS 363. This course fulfills an Engaged Citizenship Common Experience requirement at UIS in the area of U.S. Communities.

AAS 364. Dance and American Culture. 4 Hours.

This is a survey course on the appreciation, understanding, and practice of dance in America as influenced and shaped by the presence of African Americans. This course connects the humanities and social sciences, thereby providing an integrated approach to understanding dance as a cultural, social, economic, and political phenomenon. Comparisons are made with other "traditional" dance forms to challenge student perceptions of dance and to develop critical and analytical skills in "reading" dance. Course Information: Same as SOA 364.

AAS 368. ECCE: African American Popular Fiction. 4 Hours.

This course explores various works of popular fiction by African American authors, specifically the genres of detective fiction (mysteries) and speculative or science fiction. Same as LIS 368. Course Information: This course fulfills an Engaged Citizenship Common Experience requirement at UIS in the areas of U.S. Communities.

AAS 375. ECCE: African American Popular Culture. 3 Hours.

By exploring the variety of contribution to American culture made by people of African descent, this course seeks to: bolster the student's understanding of cultural pluralism, increase multicultural awareness and sensitivity; accord due credit to a population often neglected in cultural studies. Students will take an active part in their own education, developing and presenting their own interpretations of central topics. Course Information: Same as LIS 375. This course fulfills an Engaged Citizenship Common Experience requirement at UIS in the area of U.S. Communities.

AAS 403. ECCE: Women of Color and Minority Women. 4 Hours.

This course examines the experiences of African American, Latina, Asian American, indigenous, and immigrant women in the U. S. By placing women of color at the center, we explore ways of transforming knowledge about culture and society. We also address issues facing other minorities (lesbians and disabled, poor, rural, and aging women). Course Information: Same as HIS 453, SOA 451, SWK 462, and WGS 403. This course fulfills an Engaged Citizenship Common Experience requirement at UIS in the area of U.S. Communities.

AAS 432. ECCE: African Americans and American Politics. 4 Hours.

Examines political, economic, and social factors affecting African American participation in global, national, state, and local politics. Organized to compare perspectives, ideologies, and strategies as they developed and changed over time, this course explores four areas: Government; Strategies for Change; Sociopolitical Situations; Politics of Expression and Identity.Course Information: Same as PSC 404. This course fulfills an Engaged Citizenship Common Experience requirement at UIS in the areas of U.S. Communities.

AAS 433. ECCE: Civil Rights Movement of the Twentieth Century. 4 Hours.

This discussion course examines the connections between the oral histories of the civil rights movement, the intellectual contributions of African American essayists to traditions of thought in United States history in the twentieth century and the political activism of educated professionals and grass-roots community figures. Course Information: Same as HIS 429 and LIS 433. This course fulfills an Engaged Citizenship Common Experience requirement at UIS in the area of U.S. Communities.

AAS 439. African And Diaspora Music. 4 Hours.

Examines the influence of African music in the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Important African and diaspora rhythms of hi-life, congo, blues, jazz, soca, salsa, samba, and many others are discussed. Course Information: Same as LIS 439.

AAS 440. Special Topics in African American History and Culture. 4 Hours.

Selected topics of special interest in African American History. Specific topic is reflected in class title in each semester schedule. Description of topic will be available in Department office. May be repeated if topics vary.

AAS 450. Special Topics in African American Studies. 4 Hours.

Selected topics of special interest in African American Studies. Interdisciplinary topic is reflected in class title in each semester schedule. Description of topic will be available in Department office. May be repeated if topics vary.

AAS 460. Topics in Africana Literature. 4 Hours.

Selected topics of special interest in African American Literature and Culture. Interdisciplinary topic is reflected in class title in each semester schedule. Description of topic will be available in Department office. May be repeated if topics vary.

AAS 465. ECCE: Black Women Writers. 4 Hours.

Explores diverse writings by Black women: autobiography, fictions, poetry, social and literary criticism, and essays. Black Women Writers illuminate how they transcend under-representation in literature and academia, as well as the double oppression of being Black and female. Course Information: Same as LIS 465 and WGS 465. This course fulfills an Engaged Citizenship Common Experience requirement at UIS in the area of U.S. Communities.

AAS 499. Tutorial. 1-12 Hours.

Intended to supplement, not supplant, regular course offerings. Students interested in a tutorial must secure the consent of the faculty member concerned before registration and submit any required documentation to him or her. Course Information: May be repeated to a maximum of 12 hours.

AAS 537. Treating Children from Diverse Populations. 3 Hours.

This course focuses on the provision of services to children from diverse populations. Using a biopsychosocial perspective, emphasis is placed on the social, cultural, familial, and individual similarities and differences in values and behavior. Therapeutic techniques are explored. Course Information: Same as HMS 537.