African-American History 1

The purpose of this course is to help you better understand both the role of race and slavery in early American history and the contributions of African-Americans to society and culture in America before 1877. The course will examine the lives of black Americans, enslaved and free, from the arrival of the first Africans in the New World through Reconstruction. It will also address more abstract ideas about cultural and racial differences. Throughout this course, you will be asked to consider the question which came first, racism or slavery?