African American Studies

African American Studies is an elective that will challenge students to explore primary and secondary sources documenting the African American experience by surveying African American history from precolonial Africa through today. It introduces students to key concepts in African American history, from early beginnings in Africa through the transatlantic slave trade, the Civil War, Emancipation, Reconstruction, the Civil Rights era and to the present. Students will learn about African American voices, including many not traditionally highlighted, and their contributions to the story of Virginia and America.

The course is an elective and does not fulfill a World History or VA/US History graduation requirement.