Introduction to the Study of Black History, Politics, Sociology, Psychology, Science, Art, Music and Religion

Introduction to Black Studies Course is a 30 week beginner’s course that analyses all the major areas of the Black Experience – the History, the Politics, the Psychology, the Sociology, the Science & Technology, the Arts, and finally, the Religion. 

The course is a highly accessible 30 week programme but it is also rigorous and content laden. 

It assumes no prior knowledge of the subject areas, but the adult student is taken through an avalanche of information. Reading lists are provided. 

COURSE CONTENT

The course is divided into three terms consisting of the following lectures:

Term 1  

INTRODUCTION 

Class 1   Introduction to Black Studies 

HISTORY 

Class 2   The facts concerning the Origins of Humanity 
Class 3   Who Were the Ancient Egyptians? (Part I) 
Class 4   Who were the Ancient Egyptians? (Part II) 
Class 5   Origins of Civilisation: Middle East or East Africa? 
Class 6   Black Civilisations on the Asian Continent: Elam, Saba and the Indus Valley 
Class 7   North African Civilisations: Carthage and Numidia
Class 8   West African Civilisations: Ancient Ghana, Mali and Songhai Empire
Class 9   East African Civilisations: Kush, Axum and the Swahili Confederation
Class 10 South African Civilisations: Great Zimbabwe and Munhumutapa

Term 2 

Class 11   Maafa: The Transatlantic Enslavement of Africans (Part I)
Class 12   Maafa: The Transatlantic Enslavement of Africans (Part II) 

POLITICAL SCIENCE 

Classes 13 and 14   Introduction to Black Political Realities 

SOCIOLOGY 

Class 15   The Birth of Radical Black Sociology
Class 16   The Black Family
Class 17   Black Male/Female Relationships 

PSYCHOLOGY 

Class 18   Franz Fanon and the Birth of Black Psychology
Class 19   Developmental Psychology of Black Children 
Class 20   Research Findings of Key Black Psychologists 

Term 3 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 

Class 21   The Black World’s Contribution to Science and Technology (Part I) 

Class 22 The Black World’s Contribution to Science and Technology (Part II)

ART & MUSIC 

Class 23   Traditions of Ancient African Art: Sahara, Nok, Igbo, Yoruba, and Benin 
Class 24   Roots of Black Music 

RELIGION 

Class 25   Ancient and Traditional Religions of Africa 
Class 26   Judaism and the Black World 
Class 27   Christianity and the Black World 
Class 28   Islam, Buddhism and the Black World 
Class 29   Rastafari, Nation of Islam, Kingism and Black Liberation Theology

DISCUSSION

Class 30   Discussion: How can we use Black Studies?