Studying online

There are now 2 possible online modes for units:

Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.

Click on an offering mode for more details.

Unit Overview

Description

This unit investigates the history of African Americans, from the arrival of Africans as explorers, and later, in much larger numbers as slaves, from the sixteenth century to the present. Students gain thorough understanding of how these radically subordinated Americans fought for and contributed to what it means to be an American and a full-fledged citizen. In the process, they gain understanding of historical change, social movement, political economic change, processes of racial-gender formation and differentiation, as well as nation-making and the histories of racism(s).

Credit
6 points
Offering
AvailabilityLocationMode
Not available in 2025UWA (Perth)Face to face
Details for undergraduate courses
  • Level 3 option in the History major sequence
  • Level 3 elective
Outcomes

Students are able to (1) critically apply the concepts of race, class, gender and nation, which are foundational to high-level methodology in African–American history; (2) identify the main methodological issues in the diverse scholarly literature that makes up African–American history; (3) demonstrate detailed knowledge of the major political struggles and cultural movements and critically interrogate the conflicting ideologies that have animated black lives in (and beyond) the United States; (4) gain methodological fluency in interpreting multiple forms of primary evidence such as textual documents, diaries, fiction, photographic evidence, aural and musical materials; (5) complete a research project that engages with relevant evidence drawn from primary and secondary sources, and forward an original argument; and (6) express arguments, ideas and research in both written and oral form at an advanced level.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) participation; (2) an annotated bibliography; and (3) a research essay. Further information is available in the unit outline.



Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit Coordinator(s)
Dr Ethan Blue
Unit rules
Prerequisites
12 points of Level 2 units.
Incompatibility
HIST2279 Twentieth-century African–American History.
HIST3379 Twentieth-century African–American History
Contact hours
Lecture x 1 hr per week
Workshop x 2 hrs per week (up to 3 hrs per week)
  • The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
  • All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
  • Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
  • Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.