for California State University, Fresno.
Africana and American Indian Studies Program
COURSES
Africana and American Indian Studies
(AAIS)
AAIS 1. Ethnic Experience (3)
Prerequisite: G.E. Foundation A2. Examines the experiences of various ethnic
minorities in the U.S., addresses the issue of race as it affects ethnic
formation, analyzes public policy and ethnic experience, discusses the comparable
idealogies of race and gender, and evaluates culture and ethnic experience.
G.E. Breadth D3. (Formerly ETHS 1)
AAIS 2. Ethnic Expression (3)
Comparative study of the characteristic ways in which ethnic minorities
in the United States think and feel about themselves and the world, as reflected
in literature, art, and music. (Formerly ETHS 2)
AAIS 5. American Indian History (3)
An interpretive survey of American Indian history from the native point
of view including accounts of American Indian origin and the arrival of
immigrants from Asia, Africa, and Europe. (Formerly NAS 5, AIS 5)
AAIS 9T. Topics in American Indian Studies
(1-3; max total 9 if no area repeated)
Selected topics at an introductory level in American Indian Studies. (Formerly
AIS 9T)
AAIS 10. Introduction to Africana Studies (3)
A survey course designed to introduce students to the vast array of
scholarship defining the African American experiences as they relate to
the experiences of Africans on the continent and other peoples of African
descent in the Diaspora. (Formerly AFAM 10)
AAIS 20. Critical Thinking about Race (3)
Uses critical thinking skills to discuss, analyze, and critique centuries-old
ideas on race/ethnicity and the social policies that were enacted to promote
prejudice and discrimination against minorities. Special focus on peoples
of African descent and American Indians.
AAIS 21 and 121. Gospel
Choir (1; max total 8)
(Same as MUSIC 102GC.) Performance
of a variety of inspirational songs reflecting the African American cultural
experience. Participation through rehearsals, activities, programs, and
field trips. (Formerly AFAM 21)
AAIS 24. African American Music (3)
The origin and evolution of African American music from the perspective
of social and cultural history. Emphasis on slave songs, gospel, jazz, rhythm
and blues, and soul music. (Formerly AFAM 24)
AAIS 25. African American Literature (3)
Major authors, their works, themes, and movements in African American literature
in America from colonial times to the present. (Formerly AFAM 25)
AAIS 27. Africana Cultures and Images (3)
Prerequisite: G.E. Foundation A2. Introduction to the historical and
contemporary experiences of African Americans and other peoples of African
descent. Examines historical and social arrangements implicated in the experiences
and the images these arrangements construct both in the United States and
around the world. G.E. Breadth D3. (Formerly AFAM 27)
AAIS 35. Art and Music of Africa (3)
Comprehensive study of African artistry and music. (Formerly AFAM 35)
AAIS 36. Contemporary African Societies (3)
Analysis of the cultural and political structure of African societies; understanding
the impact of colonialism in Africa; realizing the relationship of African
Americans to Africa. (Formerly AFAM 36)
AAIS 38. African American Sociology (3)
Basic principles sociology from the perspective of the African American
experience. (Formerly AFAM 38)
AAIS 42. Ethnic Psychology (3)
Introduction to psychology as an empirical science; biological and social
basis of behavior; evaluation of concepts or general psychology and personality
theories; emphasis on perception, learning, motivation, and intelligence;
applicability to behavioral patterns of African Americans. (Formerly AFAM
42)
AAIS 50. Contemporary Life of the American Indian
(3)
Current problems of American Indians and Arctic Natives resulting from culture
conflict, acculturation, minority status, and governmental policy. (Formerly
AIS 50)
AAIS 55T. Topics in African American Studies (1-3; max
total 9)
Selected topics at the introductory level in African American Studies. (Formerly
AFAM 50T)
AAIS 56. The African American Family (3)
Deals with the origin, development, and adaptations the African American
family has created to sustain itself as a viable institution. Emphasis is
on problems encountered and created by the American society and how the
African American family handles these adversities. (Formerly AFAM 56)
AAIS 60. Introduction to African American Theatre (3)
Study and practice in performance of African American drama and oral interpretation
projects. Class will include poetry reading; dance performances; dramatic
interpretations; comedic sketches. Previous experience not required. (Formerly
AFAM 60)
AAIS 65T. Topics in Indian Education (3; max total
9)
Foundations and history of Indian education, methods of teaching Indian
children, curriculum and practices for Indian education, guidance for the
Indian student, problems of teachers of Indian children, education of Indian
adults. (Formerly AIS 60T)
AAIS 100. American Indian Religion (3)
American Indian religious systems, including basic concepts of religion
and the sacred, ceremonial life, medicine, functions of religious institutions
and practices, and contrast/conflict with non-Native religious systems.
(Formerly AIS 100)
AAIS 101. American Indian Law (3)
Concepts of laws on Indian reservations, termination, litigation and complaints,
strengthening tribal governments. Law related to Indian land and resources.
(Formerly AIS 101)
AAIS 102A. African Dance (3)
Focuses on the history of African dance in the United States, uses of dance
among Africans/African Americans. Activities include dance techniques; imagery/visualization,
dance exercises; simple constructive rest techniques; African dance step
techniques preparatory for advance class. (2 lecture, 2 activity hours)
(Formerly AFAM 130T, AFAM 100A)
AAIS 102B. African Dance (3)
Prerequisite: AAIS 100A or permission of instructor. Teaches advance space
orientation, advance imagery /visualization techniques; advance constructive
rest; central/alignment; dance philosophy of Laban; choreography; specific
African dances and dance performances. (6 lab hours) (Formerly AFAM 100B)
AAIS 103. Indians of California (3)
Prerequisites: G.E. Foundation and Breadth Area D. Survey course on the
ancient cultures of California, historical development of California Indian
cultures according to regional resources, conflict between the California
Indian people and various colonial forces, arts and culture of California
Indian people, and contemporary issues of California Indians. G.E. Integration
ID. (Formerly AIS 103)
AAIS 104W. Writing about American Inequality (3)
Prerequisite: satisfactory completion (C or better) of the ENGL 1 graduation
requirement. Analysis of poverty, social class, and inequality in America.
Students receive feedback in preparing papers on poverty and inequality.
Emphasis on research techniques, evaluation and documentation of evidence,
and style and mechanics of writing. Meets the upper-division writing skills
requirement for graduation. (Formerly ETHS 104W)
AAIS 124. The African American Experience in Children's
Literature (3)
A survey of selected material: Children's books, tapes, cassettes; dealing
with the African American experience in children's literature. (Formerly
AFAM 124)
AAIS 129. African American Literary Classics (3)
Discussion and written analyses of significant poetry, drama, fiction, and
nonfiction by African American writers representing a variety of views and
perspectives. Historical and social contexts of literary works. (Formerly
AFAM 129)
AAIS 130T. Topics in Ethnic Studies (1-3; max total
6)
In-depth research and writing on the past and contemporary situation of
America's major ethnic minorities. (Formerly ETHS 130T)
AAIS 135. The African American Community (3)
Analysis of the various lifestyles and cultural patterns of African American
communities. Emphasis on unique cultural features of the family, religion,
foods, music, art, and folkways. (Formerly AFAM 135)
AAIS 136. Africana Business Development (3)
Introduction to African American entrepreneurship with special emphasis
on the development of business ventures and partnerships in Africa and the
Caribbean. Analysis of historical, political, economic, and cultural forces
in developing business opportunities. (Formerly AFAM 136)
AAIS 137. African American
Women (3)
(Same as WS 137.) An overview of the accomplishments of African American
women in the United States; their contributions to American culture; African
influence; African American women as defined by a dominant society vs. legitimate
definition designed to encourage a positive self-concept. (Formerly AFAM
137)
AAIS 140. The African American Church (3)
History of the formation and development of African American religious institutions
(Christianity, Islam, Judaism) in the African American community; their
effect on the African American personality. (Formerly AFAM 140)
AAIS 144. Race Relations (3)
Critical examination of contemporary race relations issues such as affirmative
action, hate crimes, interracial relationships, religion, criminal justice
system, media images/stereotyping, and more. Analysis of theoretical frameworks
and their application to racial ethnic groups. (Formerly AFAM 144)
AAIS 145. Life and Times of Martin Luther King Jr. (3)
Explores Dr. King's leadership in the nonviolent movement for racial equality
and human dignity, from the Montgomery Bus Boycott to King's assassination
(1955-68). Emphasis on philosophy, ideology. Format: lectures, films, slides,
recorded speeches, and discussion. (Formerly AFAM 145)
AAIS 146. Law and the Minority Community (3)
Critical analysis of the foundation and changing structure of law and legal
insti tutions as perceived by minority communities, with emphasis on equal
employment and education, criminal justice, and political power. (Formerly
AFAM 146)
AAIS 148. Issues in the African American Community (3)
Prerequisite: AAIS 10 or permission of instructor. In-depth, comprehensive,
critical analysis of the current social and economic structure of the African
American community. Examination of the effects of institutional racism on
current social policy. (Formerly AFAM 148)
AAIS 150. South Africa (3)
Prerequisites: G.E. Foundation and Breadth Area D. An introductory analysis
of the social, racial, political, and economic problems of people of South
Africa, both past and present. G.E. Multicultural/International MI. (Formerly
AFAM 150)
AAIS 160. The Politics of Indian Education (3)
This seminar examines the interaction of politics, culture, and education,
using case studies of federal financing of Indian education in the mission,
Bureau of Indian Affairs, tribal, and public school systems. (Formerly AIS
160)
AAIS 164. African Cultural Perspectives (3)
Prerequisites: G.E. Foundation and Breadth Area D. Explores the realities
of the African cultural experiences through readings and films by Africans.
The goal is to study the historical, political, economic, religious, and
sociocultural conditions of the continent in the precolonial, colonial,
and postcolonial periods. G.E. Multicultural/International MI.
AAIS 165. African American Theatre Styles
(3; max total 6)
(See DRAMA 187.) (Formerly AFAM
165)
AAIS 170. Experience in American Indian Community (3;
max total 6)
Offers students supervised field experience working for a tribe, tribal/Indian
organization, tribal school or Indian education program, public agency,
or the university's Indian organizations. (Formerly AIS 170)
AAIS 178. History of African
Americans (3)
(Same as HIST 178.) Evolution of African American society from 1619 to the
present; emphasis on the social, political, and economic aspects as they
relate to cultural values, theories in the development and environment that
contribute to the African American way of life. (Formerly AFAM 178)
AAIS 189. Fieldwork in Community Relations
(3; max total 6)
Supervised field observation, participation, and documentation in the operation
of minority communities. (Formerly ETHS 189)
AAIS 190. Independent Study (1-3; max total 6)
See Academic Placement -- Independent
Study. Approved for RP grading. (Formerly AFAM 190, AIS
190)
AAIS 191. History of Allensworth (1)
An examination of the historical development of the African American town
of Allensworth from its status as a town to its existence as a state historic
park. Students will be exposed to various academic disciplines through lectures
and a field trip to the park. (Formerly AFAM 191)
Africana
and American Indian Studies Degrees