Course Organization: AP African American Studies is structured into sequential units with approximate weighting and suggested pacing.
Class Duration: Designed for 45-minute class periods, meeting five days a week for a full academic year.
Unit Progression: Each unit presents a progression of topics and skills.
Teaching Methodology
Course Skills: Skills are embedded throughout the course, offering repeated practice and application opportunities.
Disciplinary Practices: Students engage with various disciplinary practices to enhance understanding.
Key Course Components
Individual Student Project
Purpose: To deepen understanding of African American Studies through research and presentation.
Structure: A three-week project where students define a research topic, conduct independent research, and present their findings.
Assessment: The project contributes to the students' AP scores.
Further Explorations in African American Studies
Objective: An additional week for in-depth study on a topic of interest or contemporary relevance.
Duration: Equivalent of 1 week/5 class periods.
Unit Breakdown
Unit 1: Origins of African American Studies
Duration: ~18 class periods
AP Exam Weighting: Approximately 20-25%
Topics:
Definition and scope of African American Studies
Geography and cultural diversity of the African continent
Ancient societies and major empires like Ghana, Mali, Songhai
Indigenous traditions and the influence of trade
Political and cultural developments in West and Central Africa
Unit 2: Freedom, Enslavement, and Resistance
Duration: ~39 class periods
AP Exam Weighting: Approximately 30-35%
Topics:
African explorers and the impact of the slave trade
Resistance movements and cultural adaptations in the Americas
Development of African American culture and identity
Key historical events like the Haitian Revolution and the Underground Railroad
Unit 3: The Practice of Freedom
Duration: ~28 class periods
AP Exam Weighting: Approximately 20-25%
Topics:
Reconstruction and its amendments
Social, legal, and cultural struggles post-Civil War
Rise of Black organizations and cultural movements
Unit 4: Movements and Debates
Duration: ~30 class periods
AP Exam Weighting: Approximately 20-25%
Topics:
Global and domestic movements for civil rights and equality
The role of Black artistry and activism
Key political and social shifts from WWII to the Civil Rights Movement
Additional Topics
Black Feminist Movement and Intersectionality
Evolution of African American Music and Culture
Black Political Representation and Economic Growth
Conclusion
The course is designed to provide a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of African American history and cultural contributions, equipping students with the skills to critically analyze and engage with the subject matter.