SOC 329(S) The African American Family (Same as Africana Studies 329)

AFR 329(S) The African American Family (Same as Sociology 329)
This course explores the historic and contemporary dynamics of the African American family in U.S. society. We shall begin by analyzing how the trans-Atlantic slave trade and Jim Crow created, altered, transported, and/or strengthened black families. The course proceeds to consider more contemporary sociological topics including gender roles, divorce and marriage dissolution, sexuality and love, mate selection, parenting and fatherhood, and the well- being of black children. We will pay special attention to how black families are imagined in popular culture, including representations in the news, film, and literature. The overall goal of this course is to highlight the resiliency of African American families.
Format: seminar/discussion. Evaluation will be based upon a series of short response papers, midterm exam, and final paper.
No prerequisites. Enrollment limit: 24. Preference given to Africana Studies concentrators and Sociology majors.
Hour: GOSA