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H425 Topics in History: History of the African Diaspora

28772 3 credits Fall Semester 2007

Tuesday & Thursday 9:00 a.m.-10:15 a.m.

Cavanaugh Hall 235

Instructor:Professor Modupe Labode

Offce:Cavanaugh Hall 420

Office Hours:Tues. and Thurs. 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and by appointment.

Telephone:317-274-3829

E-mail:

Introduction

In this course we will look on the histories and cultures of peoples of African descent from the 1400s to the present. We will examine the importance of race, gender, and nation in the diaspora. As a group we will be exploring the commonalities and differences among people of African descent, and question the usefulness of diaspora as a concept in comparing these different histories.

This course requires students to read a great deal and to write essays. These assignments have been designed to help you with the content and understand the basics of historical analysis, including constructing an essay, and the analysis of primary sources.

I do not assume that students have a background in African or African American history. However, I expect students to participate actively in the class and engage with the course.

Teaching methods

This course will be conducted through lecture and class discussion. It is important that you keep up with the assigned readings and come to the class prepared to participate. Regular attendance is necessary to get as much as possible from the course. It is expected that members of the class will treat one another with civility and respect.

Class Communication

I will use Oncouse for class announcements. You are expected to check Oncourse at least once per week. I will generally respond to e-mails and voice messages within 48 hours of receipt.

Course requirements

Participation10%

Primary Source Paper 1: 20%

Primary Source Paper 2:20%

Midterm Exam: 20%

Final Exam: 30%

In order to complete the course successfully, you must finish all of the assigned work by the last day of the semester. If you do not complete all of the required work, I reserve the right to give you an “F” for the semester.

Incomplete (I) grades are given at the discretion of the instructor. It is the student’s responsibility to arrange for an “I” grade. See IUPUI’s policy:

Principles of Undergraduate Learning This course is designed to integrate IUPUI’s Principles of Undergraduate Learning. See:

Primary source papers: The guidelines for the assignment will be distributed by August 30. Students will be required to find a primary source related to the course and write a 2-3 page analysis of the source.

Exams: Exams will be taken in class and will include an essay component.

Participation Excessive absence will compromise your class participation grade.

Grading scale in percentage for all work:

B+ 88-89C+ 78-79D+ 68-69F Below 60

A 93+B 83-87C 73-77D 63-68

A- 90-92B- 80-82 C- 70-72D- 60-62

Special accommodation

If you need special accommodations, or have concerns about any aspect of this course, please do not hesitate to get in contact with me. Also contact the website of the Office of Adaptive Educational Services at IUPUI.

Academic misconduct

No form of academic misconduct by a student in this course will be tolerated. Any student who is found guilty of such misconduct by the instructor will receive an F on that assignment as well as the course, and have the infraction recorded as a permanent part of his/her academic record.

For IUPUI’s Student Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct, see:

For a detailed explanation of university policy on academic misconduct, see:

Administrative withdrawal

A basic requirement of this course is that you will participate in class and conscientiously complete writing and reading assignments. Keep in touch with me if you are unable to attend class or complete an assignment on timefor any reason. If you miss more than half our class meetings within the first four weeks of the semester without contacting me, you will be administratively withdrawn from this section. Our class meets twice per week; thus if you miss more than four classes in the first four weeks, you may be withdrawn. Administrative withdrawal may have academic, financial, and financial aid implications. Administrative withdrawal will take place after the full refund period, and if you are administratively withdrawn from the course you will not be eligible for a tuition refund. If you have questions about the administrative withdrawal policy at any point during the semester, please contact me. For more information, see:

Required texts

These texts are available in the bookstore. Class handouts, films, etc. should be treated as required texts.

Mary Lynn Rampolla, A Pocket Guide to Writing in History, 4th Edition, 2004.

Michael A. Gomez, Reversing Sail: A History of the African Diaspora, 2005.

Mary Seacole, Wonderful Adventures of Mrs Seacole in Many Lands. 1857, 2005

Darlene Clark Hine and Jacqueline McLeod, editors, Crossing Boundaries: Comparative History of Black People in Diaspora, 1999.

Course Outline and Assignments

Subject to Revision by the instructor

Aug. 23Introduction

Aug. 28Diasporas

Aug. 30The Atlantic World

Reading: Gomez, Chapters 1-2. Read the following in Smithsonian Institution’s People’s of Africa websiteColin Palmer’s essay on the legacy of slavery in Mexico and “Dread History” .

Sept. 4Slavery: African Dimensions

Sept. 6Slavery: Middle Passage and New World

Reading: Rampolla, Chapters 1-3; Gomez, Chapter 4

Sept. 11Slavery in the New World

Sept. 13Slavery in the New World

Reading: Rampolla, Chapters 4-7, Gomez, Chapter 5; Gaspar in Crossing Boundaries; Aguirre in Crossing Boundaries.

Sept. 18Resistance, Abolition, and Emancipation

Sept. 20Resistance, Abolition, and Emancipation PAPER 1 DUE

Reading: Gomez, Chapter 6; Cox in Crossing Boundaries; Butler in Crossing Boundaries

Sept. 25Cultures of the Atlantic Diaspora

Sept. 27Cultures of the Atlantic Diaspora

Reading: Howard in Crossing Boundaries; Stewart in Crossing Boundaries.

Oct. 2EXAM 1

Oct. 4No Class

Oct. 9Traveling the Diaspora: Mrs Seacole

Oct. 11Traveling the Diaspora: Mrs Seacole

Reading: Terborg-Penn in Crossing Boundaries; Wonderful Adventures of Mrs Seacole in Many Lands, including introduction.

Oct. 16Race & Empire: Liberia and Sierra Leone

Oct. 18Race & Empire

Reading: Johnson in Crossing Boundaries.

Oct. 23Pan-Africanism and the Diaspora

Oct. 25Pan-Africanism and the Diaspora

Reading: Gomez, Chapter 7

Oct. 30Europe and African Diaspora

Reading: Blakely in Crossing Boundaries.

Nov. 1Europe and African Diaspora

Nov. 6Europe and African Diaspora

Nov. 8Asia and African Diaspora

Reading: Gomez, Chapter 3.

Nov. 13Asia and African Diaspora

Nov. 15Asia and African Diaspora PAPER 2 DUE

Nov. 20Diasporas of the 20th-21stCenturies

Reading: Gomez, Chapter 8; Davenport in Crossing Boundaries.

Nov. 22THANKSGIVING BREAK—NO CLASS

Nov. 27Diasporas of the 20th and 21stCenturies

Nov. 29Representations of the African Diaspora

Reading: Williams in Crossing Boundaries; Fredrickson in Crossing Boundaries.

Dec. 4Representations of the African Diaspora

Dec. 6Summary

FINAL EXAM TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2007

10:30-12:30 p.m. Friday, December 21: Grades available on Oncourse.