AMH 2091, Section 001—African American History

T, H 11:00 AM-12:15 PM Fall 2019 Campus: NW Bldg/Room: M-137

Dr. Courtney Moore Taylor-Instructor

Contact Information:
E-mail: courtney.taylor@sfcollege.edu Office: NW Campus, BLD L-236 Telephone: (352) 395-5339
NW Campus Office Hours:
Tuesdays and Thursdays: 8:15 am-9:15 am
Wednesdays: 8:00 am-12:00 pm
or by appointment

Course Description:
This course explores the historical, political, cultural and social contributions African Americans made to United States
society. Beginning with the slave trade and the Middle Passage, the first portion of the course progresses chronologically
through the major watersheds of African American history including American Slavery, the Civil War, Reconstruction,
the Black Nadir and the Civil Rights Movement. The latter half of the class will explore topical issues ranging from the
role of blacks in the military, the arts, and politics. Engaging in this rich history, students will analyze ways people of
African descent have impacted (and been impacted by) America’s complicated racial, economic, gender and political
ideologies. Students will analyze these people, events and concepts through lectures, class discussions, primary source
documents, and audio-visual materials. Subsequently, while acquiring this knowledge, students will be encouraged to
evaluate contemporary U.S. and global events and movements in light of America’s rich, yet intricate, historic past.
Note: This syllabus is a general outline of the course, but it is subject to change. I will let you know if
modifications are made.
General Education Learning Outcomes (GELO): Global Socio-Cultural Responsibility
During the course, students will demonstrate an understanding of diversity/pluralism in the world community, and an
awareness of civic and social participation and ethical and informed decision-making . Upon completing the course,
students will:
 Analyze data/information/ substantive content relevant to diversity/pluralism in the world;
 Synthesize data/information/ substantive content relevant to diversity/pluralism in the world
 Use data/information/ substantive content related to diversity/pluralism in order to
o draw conclusions
o propose solutions, and/or make decisions

Required Texts
Hine, Darlene Clark, William C. Hine and Stanley Harrold. African Americans: A Concise History, Combined Volume.
(5th Edition, Pearson, 2010).

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Course Assignments
Students’ knowledge and success in meeting GELO requirements will be assessed through the following:
Chapter Modules-(15%) Each student is expected to complete chapter review questions on CANVAS. Modules need to
be completed prior to our class lecture for each assigned chapter. Note: You are permitted to use your textbook and will be
granted two attempts in completing the assignment.   (Due: varies by week)
Mission US: Mission 2, Flight to Freedom- (7.5%)
Students will engage in a multimedia project that immerses them in U.S. history content. Your mission involves “taking
on the role of Lucy, a 14-year-old slave in Kentucky.  As [you] navigate her escape and journey to Ohio, [you’ll] discover
that life in the ‘free’ North is dangerous and difficult. In 1850, the Fugitive Slave Act brings disaster. Will Lucy ever
truly be free?” (Mission US Website) Prior to the due date, register for a free account at https://www.mission-
us.org/register. After receiving your login name and password, complete the game and answer the questions provided by
the instructor. (Due: September 3rd)
“Black Folks Don’t”-(12.5%): In an effort to dispel racial myths and stereotypes associated with Black America, locate
a topic that traditionally “Black Folk Don’t” participate in and research historical, contemporary and personal sources to
determine if there is any merit in the identified area or if indeed Black Folk do participate in the area you selected. All
topics must be approved by the instructor. Compile your findings in a 600-900 word analysis. (Adapted from program
sponsored by Black Public Media and PBS) (Due: September 26th)
Time Capsule Group Assignment-(12.5%):
Select five Black history artifacts that your group would place in a time capsule to open 50 years from today. In addition
you will need to prepare a presentation where you share images of the artifacts (or the actual artifact if possible) as well as
provide your group’s explanation as to why these objects, films, books, etc, are so pertinent to society’s future knowledge
of the African American experience. Please feel free to be as creative as possible and employ the technology in the
classroom. (Due: October 22nd)
“What’s Going On?: Issues in Black America and the World” Journal Entry : 15% (GELO Assignment) You
will locate a historic or contemporary issue via a news article or scholarly report that has impacted Black Americans and
locate an international issue with similar ramifications. For example, do other cultures suffer from the Color Complex?
Are others impacted by AIDS at epidemic levels? Do other cultures have a culturally unaccepted forms of dress,
comparable to sagging, that has led to generational divides, or even legislative action? In your 900-1200 word reflection,
identify the issue, address the comparisons and provide ways for civic engagement, practical steps that you and those in
other cultures could implement to address the issue. You have freedom to engage political, social, cultural or economic
topics, however, be sure to make historic AND global connections. (Due: November 14th)
YOUTUBE Assignment – (7.5%) Locate a YOUTUBE video of various songs (of any genre) or spoken word that you
feel adequately represents each of the major watersheds (African Conquest, The Atlantic Slave Trade, The Middle
Passage, American Slavery, Black Nadir, Civil Rights/Black Power, Poverty and Progress) in African American History.
Upon selecting each video, explain how the video depicts that time in history. (Due: December 5th)

Midterm- (15%) The midterm will test your knowledge of various course material and chapters as we progress through
the course. (Due: October 3rd)
Final Exam- (15%) Exam will assess your knowledge of the material engaged over the semester.
(Due: December 12th)
Note: More specific guidelines for writing assignments will be given as their due dates approach.
Make-up exams will be permitted ONLY at the instructor’s discretion

Grading Scale:
A = 100-90; B+ = 87-89; B = 80-86; C+ = 77-79; C = 70-76; D+ = 67-69; D = 60-66.

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Course Policies
Attendance Policy: Students are expected to be present, punctual and prepared and sign-in at the beginning of ALL
class meetings for the instructor’s records. Though attendance does not factor into your final grade it does impact your
overall success in the course and your opportunity to earn extra credit. Without question, students who fail to attend class
miss vital information which contributes to their lack of success.
Communication: I do my best to respond to your comments/emails in a timely manner during business hours
(evenings are excluded).  Allow 24 hours during the week for a response to course concerns/emails. Weekends, I do
not check email, so it is imperative that you submit any questions to me before noon on Fridays. Please note, that
while you can contact me through Canvas you can also access me directly at courtney.taylor@sfcollege.edu.
Written work format and submission:
AMH 2091 will allow students the chance to explore the subject through a variety of college-level writing exercises that
may include essay exams, book reviews, reaction papers and other discipline specific writing.

Assignments will be graded using the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AACU) Global Socio-
Cultural Responsibility Value Rubric as a guide to determine student mastery. Students need to demonstrate at least
level 2 mastery on major writing projects.
ALL assignments should be
 Written in standard English and demonstrate competence of grammar, sentence structure, and paragraph structure
 TYPED, double-spaced, unless stated otherwise by instructor, with 12 pt. font, 1” margins
 Information with your name, date, course and overall word count should be in the top corner, single-spaced on the
first page or a cover page.
 When hardcopies are submitted, STAPLE all pages of the assignment

Policy on late/make-up work: ALL ASSIGNMENTS ARE KNOWN WELL IN ADVANCE; THEREFORE,
PERMISSION TO HAND IN AN ASSIGNMENT LATE WITHOUT A PENALTY IS ONLY GRANTED FOR
EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES. Any work, EXCLUDING CHAPTER MODULES and EXTRA CREDIT
assignments submitted past the deadline will incur the following penalties:
Submitted after submission deadline: 10 points
Submitted 24 hours after submission deadline: 20 points
Submitted 48 hours after submission deadline: 30 points
Work, without a documented excuse, is NOT accepted after the 48 hour window!
Extra Credit Policy: Extra Credit will be offered during the course of the semester at the instructor’s discretion.
HOWEVER, IT’S CONTINGENT UPON ATTENDANCE. If you miss a class in which it is offered and/or have
more than 4 unexcused absences when extra credit is given at the end of the term then you are INELIGIBLE to
complete those extra credit opportunities.
Academic Honesty: Please note that academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. The very nature of higher education
requires that students adhere to accepted standards of academic integrity. Therefore SFC has adopted a Code of Student
Conduct that outlines general guidelines. Students are encouraged to discuss issues related to academic integrity with
instructors. Please consult the college website at https://www.sfcollege.edu/Assets/sf/rules/pdfs/Rule_7/7_23.pdf a
copy of the Student Conduct Code.
Accessibility Statement
Santa Fe College values diversity and inclusion and is committed to fostering mutual respect and full participation
for all students. The Disabilities Resource Center (DRC) facilitates reasonable accommodations for students who
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encounter disability-related barriers in the learning environment. If you have a disability that may affect your work
in this class and think you need accommodations, please contact the DRC to schedule an appointment and start a
conversation about reasonable accommodations.
 
The DRC is located in Building S, Room 229 at the Northwest Campus and appointments are available at all College
locations. Visit www.sfcollege.edu/drc
Discrimination/Harassment Policy
SF prohibits any form of discrimination or sexual harassment among students, faculty and staff. For further information,
refer to College Rule 2.8 at http://www.sfcollege.edu/Assets/sf/rules/pdfs/Rule_2/2_8.pdf
Student Rights & Responsibilities
The purpose of this document is to provide students with a general overview of both their rights and responsibilities as
members of the Santa Fe College community. For a complete list of students’ rights and responsibilities go
to https://catalog.sfcollege.edu/content.php?catoid=4&navoid=65
 Classroom Expectations and Etiquette:
Courteous and appropriate classroom behavior is expected. Therefore, please be mindful of the following at all
times during class:
 Students are expected to be PRESENT, PUNCTUAL, AND PREPARED.
 Cell phones should be silenced during class. CALLS AND TEXT MESSAGING DURING CLASS
ARE PROHIBITED.
 Laptops and tablets are allowed in class for note-taking purposes. HOWEVER – if they interfere with
your attention and participation during the class session (i.e. playing on Facebook or checking email),
you will be asked to shut down the device.
 Bringing food to class is a distraction, so it is your responsibility to manage your time appropriately and eat
before class. As such ONLY BEVERAGES, WITH THE APPROPRIATE LIDS, ARE ALLOWED IN
CLASS. 
 As we are in a professional learning environment that requires your ACTIVE participation, students are
asked to KEEP THEIR HEADS OFF OF THEIR DESKS, ABSTAIN FROM TAKING NAPS, REFRAIN
FROM PUTTING THEIR FEET ON THE FURNITURE AND TO TAKE ALL NOTES THAT ARE
PROVIDED BY THE INSTRUCTOR.
 Lastly, we are dealing with material that may be sensitive in terms of race, gender, class, sexuality, violence,
and/or political perspective. By remaining enrolled in the course you are agreeing to complete all assignments
and participate during class discussions, regardless of objections you may have on these grounds. PLEASE
KEEP THE DIALOG RESPECTFUL AND RELEVANT. I encourage students to keep an open mind, and I
expect you to COMMUNICATE YOUR IDEAS WITHOUT HARSHLY OFFENDING YOUR PEERS.
ALL ETHICAL PERSPECTIVES WILL BE RESPECTED BY THE INSTRUCTOR AND BY ALL
CLASS MEMBERS AT ALL TIMES.

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 Course Outline
Aug. 20 Course Overview/How to be a Successful Student?
Black in America
22 The State of African American History
Note: August 26th is the last day to drop with refund and no record for Spring

27 WHY & HOW?: The Origins of Slavery in Early America

Chapter 2: The Middle Passage/Chapter Module (CM) Due
29 Chapter 3: Black People in Colonial North America, 1526-1763
Sept. 3 SLAVERY: A Well-Defined Way of Life
Chapter 6: Life in the Cotton Kingdom/CM Due
Mission US: Mission 2, Flight to Freedom Due
5 Film: Unchained Memories/ Film Analysis: 12 Years a Slave Due

10 FREEDOM: Not Just for Some but for All

Chapter 8: Opposition to Slavery/Chapter 9: Let your Motto Be Resistance/ CM Due
12 Chapter 8 & 9 continued
Extra Credit: Film Analysis: Lincoln Due

17 WHERE WE GOING?: Life for the Liberated

Chapter 12: The Meaning of Freedom: The Promise of Reconstruction/ CM Due
19 Chapter 13: The Meaning of Freedom: The Failure of Reconstruction/ CM Due
24 ROCK BOTTOM: The Black Nadir
Chapter 14: White Supremacy Triumphant: African Americans in the Late Nineteenth Century
26 Chapter 16: Conciliation, Agitation, & Migration: African Americans in the Early 20 th
Century, 1895-1928, pgs. 358-363
Chapter 17: African Americans and the 1920s, 1918-1929, pgs. 372-375
Black Folks Don’t Due

Oct. 1 N-Word Discussion/N-Word Extra Credit Due

3 MIDTERM
8 WE WILL HELP OURSELVES: Black Identity and Self Help
Chapter 15: African Americans Challenge White Supremacy, 1877-1918 / Chapter 16: Conciliation,
Agitation, & Migration: African Americans in the Early 20th Century, 1895-1928, pgs. 363-367/CM Due
10 Chapter 15 & 16 Continued
Chapter 17: African Americans and the 1920s, 1918-1929, pgs. 375-383

15 PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN: Blacks and their Military Service

Chapter 4: Rising Expectations: African Americans and the Struggle for
Independence, 1763-1783, pgs. 80-89
Chapter 11: Liberation: African Americans and the Civil War, 1861-1865/CM Due
17 Chapter 16: Conciliation, Agitation, & Migration: African Americans in the Early
20th Century, 1895-1928, pgs. 355-358

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 Chapter 20: The World War II Era & the Seeds of a Revolution, 1936-1948
Chapter 22: Black Nationalism, Black Power, Black Arts, 1965-1980, pgs. 513-518

22 Time Capsule Presentations Due

24 Time Capsule Presentations Due
Documentary: Take This Hammer
29 Civil Rights Movement
Chapter 18: Black Protest, the Great Depression, and the New Deal, 1929-1940, pgs. 403-406
Documentary: The Untold Story of Emmitt Till
31 Chapter 21: The Long Freedom Movement/ CM Due
Extra Credit: Selma Film Analysis Due
****Note: Nov. 1st is the last day to withdraw with a W from the course
Nov. 5 “SAY IT LOUD: I’M BLACK AND I’M PROUD!:” Black Power Movement
Chapter 22: Black Nationalism, Black Power, Black Arts, 1965-1980, pgs. 502-512; 521-522/CM Due
7 Blacks & Politics/Law
Chapter 22: Black Nationalism, Black Power, Black Arts, 1965-1980, pgs. 527-532
Chapter 24: Black Politics from 1980 to the Present: The President Obama Era, 1980-2012
Documentary: Adam Clayton Powell
12 Blacks and Sports
Chapter 17: African Americans and the 1920s, 1918-1929, pgs. 392-395
Chapter 19: Meanings of Freedom: Culture & Society in the 1930s, 1940s, & 1950s, pgs. 439-441
Film Analysis for “42” Due
14 Blacks and the Medical Community
Chapters 7, 15, 18 and 23, pgs. 147, 333-334, 418, 544-545
What’s Going on Journal Due

19 Progress and Poverty

Chapter 23: African Americans in the Twenty-first Century, 1980-2010, pgs. 536-544
21 Chapter 23 continued

26 Arts & Humanities

Chapter 17: African Americans and the 1920s, 1918-1929, pgs. 384-391
Chapter 19: Meanings of Freedom: Culture & Society in the 1930s, 1940s, & 1950s
Chapter 22: Black Nationalism, Black Power, Black Arts, 1965-1980, pgs. 518-521
Chapter 23: African Americans in the Twenty-first Century, 1980-2010, pgs. 545-548
28 No Class-Thanksgiving Holiday

Dec. 3 What’s Next: The Future of Black America

Post-racial society?
Do Black Lives Really Matter?
5 LAST DAY OF CLASS
YouTube Assignment Due

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 Final Exam 
Final Exam Date: 12/12/2019   Time: 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM Campus: NW Bldg/Room: M-137

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