HIST 165(F) The Quest for Racial Justice in Twentieth-Century America (Same as Africana Studies 165) (W)*
On August 28, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered arguably some of the
most recognizable phrases of the civil rights movement in his famous "I Have a
Dream" speech. While significant and clearly central to the quest for racial
justice in twentieth-century America, Dr. King's leadership should be
understood within the context of ongoing national and grassroots political
activism before, during, and after the 1963 March on Washington. This
introductory course focuses on the social, political, and public policy
perspectives that informed twentieth-century struggles for black civil rights.
Using a variety of sources (memoirs, photography, film, and music), we will
consider historical debates as well as the period's impact on our understanding
of African American and American history.
Format: seminar. Evaluation will be based on class attendance and participation,
several essays, and a final research paper.
No prerequisites. Enrollment limit: 19 (expected: 19). Preference will be given to
first-year students, and then sophomores, who have not previously taken a
100-level seminar.
Group A