The Black Diaspora and Transnationality (245-0-20)

Instructors

Kennetta Hammond Perry

Meeting Info

Kresge Cent. Hall 2-380 Kaplan: Mon, Wed 2:00PM - 3:20PM

Overview of class

What can exploring Black life and the formation of Black constituencies in Europe tell us about the making of the African Diaspora? How can a consideration of Europe's Black histories challenge how we think about what makes a nation or who counts as a citizen? With a primary focus on Britain, France and Germany, this course will explore how people of African descent and ideas about Blackness have fundamentally shaped European histories cultures and society. Moreover, this course will provide students with an opportunity to engage a variety of historical issues with contemporary implications that have shaped the making of the modern African Diaspora and transnational Black cultural politics in Europe including slavery, colonialism, anti-colonialism, the pursuit of citizenship, migration as well as the production of racial identifications and the articulation of racisms.

Learning Objectives

1) To understand how populations of the African Diaspora have shaped European histories, cultures, identities and societies from the Age of Revolution to the present
2) To examine conceptions of race and Blackness over time in various European contexts
3) To explore some of the key debates, concepts and approaches shaping the study of Black Europe including diaspora and transnationality
4) To allow students to develop a more globally-oriented view of Black histories, cultures, communities and identities
5) To engage and analyze primary sources
6) To develop critical thinking and analytical writing skills

Class Attributes

Historical Studies Distro Area