Link to Metro State Homepage

Academics Admissions Alumni & Friends Campus Life Computing on Campus News, Events & the Arts Faculty & Staff Students

Course Descriptions for African American Studies

AAS 1010-3 Introduction to African American Studies (3 + 0)
Prerequisites: minimum performance standard scores on reading and writing preassessment placement tests
A survey of African American studies-the many facets of the black experience in this country and the discipline of African American studies. Emphasizes the black perspective. (General Studies-Level II, Social Sciences; Multicultural)

AAS 1080-3 Readings in African American Studies (3 + 0)
A self-paced course based on selected readings in books, magazines, and newspapers on African American studies.

AAS 1130-3
(HIS 1940) Survey of African History (3 + 0)

Prerequisites: minimum performance standard scores on reading and writing preassessment placement tests
Surveys the major developments on the African continent from ancient times to the modern period. Focuses on political and cultural developments in African civilizations from ancient Egypt to the present. Credit will be granted for only one prefix: AAS or HIS. (General Studies-Level II, Historical; Multicultural)

AAS 2000-3
(SOC 2000) Social Movements and the Black Experience (3 + 0)

Prerequisites: AAS 1010, SOC 1010, or permission of instructor
Analyzes and interprets the nature, cause, and consequence of black social movements in the United States, ranging from the slave period to the present. Particular attention is given to the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Credit will be granted for only one prefix: AAS or SOC.

AAS 2100-3
(CHS 2100, ICS 2100, NAS 2100, WMS 2100) Women of Color (3 + 0)

Prerequisites: minimum performance standard scores on the reading and writing preassessment tests; one of the following: AAS 1010, CHS 1000, ICS 1000, NAS 1000, or WMS 1001; or permission of instructor
Though U.S. women share much in common, their differences are salient to a thorough understanding of all these women's experiences. Comparative analysis of these differences and their significance according to race, class, and ethnicity are central to this course. The similarities among diverse groups of women will also be examined in order to better understand the complexity of women's lives. To focus the discussion, the course will cover work; families; sexuality and reproduction; religion; and politics. Credit will be granted for only one prefix: AAS or CHS or ICS or NAS or WMS. (General Studies-Level II, Social Sciences; Multicultural)

AAS 2130-3 (HIS 2950) West African Civilizations (3 + 0)
Prerequisites: satisfaction of ENG 1010 and the General Studies Level I Communication requirement
Surveys histories and cultures of West Africa from A.D. 1000 to the modern period. Focuses on political, cultural, and economic developments among West African peoples and states. Credit will be granted for only one prefix: AAS or HIS. (General Studies-Level II, Historical; Multicultural)

AAS 2200-3
(PSC 2200) Politics and Black People (3 + 0)

Prerequisites: satisfaction of General Studies Level I Mathematics requirement and either ENG 1010 or the Level I Communication course requirement
Examines black politics as a vehicle for positive change for black people in this country. Realities and the challenges, both historical and current, are emphasized. This course may be taken only under one prefix: AAS or PSC. Credit will be granted for only one prefix: AAS or PSC. (General Studies-Level II, Social Sciences; Multicultural)

AAS 2300-3
(ANT 2350) African Peoples and Cultures (3 + 0)

Examines traditional cultures of African peoples. Gives added understanding of culture and people in relation to human problems and experiences. Credit will be granted for only one prefix: AAS or ANT.

AAS 3000-3
(HIS 3023) History of Egypt (3 + 0)

Prerequisite: sophomore standing or permission of instructor
This course explores and examines major developments in the history of Egypt from the Pharaonic period to the modern era. Political, religious, economic and cultural elements are highlighted.

AAS 3041-3
(ART 3041) African Art: The Niger to the Atlas Mountains (3 + 0)

Prerequisite(s): ENG 1010 and ENG 1020
Some of Africa's most impressive art has been created in the regions of the continent which are bordered by the Niger River in the south and the shores of the Mediterranean on the north. This course examines the history of art in western and northern Africa, and evaluates the ways it has been studied and displayed. Credit will be granted for only one prefix: AAS or ART.

AAS 3042-3
(ART 3042) African Art: The Nile to the Cape (3 + 0)

Prerequisites: ENG 1010 and ENG 1020
The history of the art of southern, central, eastern and northeastern Africa is examined in this course. Historical relationships between regions and between continents will be traced, particularly in the art of the Nile Valley and the Swahili Coast. Credit will be granted for only one prefix: AAS or ART.

AAS 3043-3
(ART 3043) 5000 Years of Egyptian Art (3 + 0)

Prerequisites: ENG 1010 and ENG 1020
The Nile Valley has been the source of some of world's most intriguing art works. From the beginnings of civilization in Kemet (the Black Land), through colonial periods (Egypt was part of the Greek, Roman, and Byzantine world), and continuing into the Islamic period, this course will examine art laden with religious values and sensual appeal. Credit will be granted for only one prefix: AAS or ART.

AAS 3130-3 Readings in African History (3 + 0)
Prerequisite: AAS 1130 or permission of instructor
Provides the opportunity for students to explore important writings in a selected subject area of African history. Students advance their knowledge of the materials and information related to the field of African history.

AAS 3240-3
(ENG 3240) African American Literature (3 + 0)

Prerequisites: six semester hours of English above 1020 or permission of instructor, and satisfaction of Level I General Studies course requirements
Studies literature by black Americans. Considers works in the context of the historical and social conditions of the time at which they were written. Credit will be granted for only one prefix: AAS or ENG. Suitable for non- English majors. (General Studies-Level II, Arts and Letters; Multicultural)

AAS 3300-3
(SOC 3140) The Black Community (3 + 0)

Prerequisites: AAS 1010 or AAS/SOC 2000, or permission of instructor, and satisfaction of Level I General Studies course requirements
Relates fundamental concepts and theories of sociology and African American studies to the study of the black community through an analysis of the educational, political, religious, economic, and family dimensions. Emphasizes local, national, and international black communities. Classic and contemporary black community studies are examined. Credit will be granted for only one prefix: AAS or SOC. (General Studies-Level II, Social Sciences; Multicultural)

AAS 3400-3
(PSC 3400) Contemporary Africa (3 + 0)

Focuses on the political, social, and economic highlights of post-independence Africa. Africa's relations with the outside world and the question of South Africa are also examined. Credit will be granted for only one prefix: AAS or PSC.

AAS 3550-3
(SOC 3440) The Black Family (3 + 0)

Prerequisites: AAS 1010 or SOC 1010, and satisfaction of Level I General Studies course requirements
Provides an in-depth exploration of the black family as a social institution. Emphasizes the historical roots of the black family and how the African influence is enmeshed in the functioning of the family in modern society. Examines the factors responsible for the ability of the black family to meet the challenge of a changing society. Credit will be granted for only one prefix: AAS or SOC. (General Studies-Level II, Social Sciences)

AAS 3570-3
(HIS 3570) African American History I (3 + 0)

Prerequisites: HIS 1210, HIS 1220, or permission of instructor
Moving from the background of African culture and the slave trade, this course traces the distinctive role of the people of African heritage in the U.S. to 1876. Credit will be granted for only one prefix: AAS or HIS.

AAS 3580-3
(HIS 3580) African American History II (3 + 0)

Prerequisites: HIS 1210, HIS 1220, or permission of instructor
Continues a study of the role of the people of African heritage in the U.S. from 1876 to the present. Emphasizes an understanding of the historical tradition that gives rise to current dilemmas facing America. Credit will be granted for only one prefix: AAS or HIS.

AAS 3700-3
(CHS 3700/PSY 3700/WMS 3700) Psychology of Group Prejudice (3 + 0)

Prerequisites: PSY 1001 or AAS 1010 or CHS 1000 or WMS 1001
This course covers psychological theory and research that examines causes, consequences, and ways of reducing prejudice and discrimination. Various expressions of prejudice and discrimination are addressed, most notably racism and sexism. Credit will be granted for only one prefix. (Multicultural)

AAS 3910-3
(PSC 3910) African Politics and Government (3 + 0)

Prerequisites: AAS 1130, AAS 2300, or permission of instructor
Surveys present-day political systems in Africa and examines internal and external factors that have contributed to their emergence. Credit will be granted for only one prefix: AAS or PSC.

AAS 4490-3 Contemporary Issues in African American Studies (3 + 0)
Prerequisites: junior or senior standing and AAS 1010
Provides an in-depth study of selected issues that significantly impact the black people in the U.S. Topics vary and the course may be repeated for credit with the permission of the department chair.

AAS 4850-3 Research Seminar in African American Studies (3 + 0)
Prerequisite: six hours of upper-division courses in African American studies
Provides the opportunity for refining research skills. Students participate in planned seminar sessions and conduct in-depth research on selected topics under close supervision of a faculty member. (Senior Experience)



| Academics | Admissions | Alumni & Friends | Campus Life | Computing on Campus | Search/Directories |
| News, Events & the Arts | Current Students | Faculty & Staff | Welcome | Metro State Home |

Copyright © Metropolitan State College of Denver