Howard College Social Science Paper
ANSWER
Option #1: Researching a Relevant Issue in Africana Studies
Title: The Impact of African American History on Contemporary Ethos and Social Organization
Introduction: Africana Studies encompasses seven subject areas, with history serving as a foundational discipline that shapes the understanding of African heritage and its impact on African descendants, particularly African Americans. This paper aims to explore the relevance of African American history in contemporary ethos and social organization within Africana communities. It delves into how African American history informs the ethos (cultural values and beliefs) and social organization of these communities.
Thesis Statement: African American history, particularly the Civil Rights and Black Power era, plays a significant role in shaping the ethos and social organization of Africana communities by providing a historical context for their struggles and achievements.
Paper Summary: This paper will first examine the historical context of African American history, focusing on key periods such as the Civil Rights and Black Power era, which birthed Africana Studies. It will then explore how this history influences the ethos, including cultural values and beliefs, of Africana communities. Additionally, the paper will analyze how African American history informs the social organization of these communities, including activism, community development, and social justice movements.
Body:
- Historical Context of African American History:
- Overview of key historical periods, including the Civil Rights and Black Power era.
- Examination of the significance of these periods in the context of Africana Studies.
- Influence on Ethos:
- Exploration of how African American history shapes the cultural values and beliefs within Africana communities.
- Analysis of the impact of historical events, figures, and movements on the ethos of these communities.
- Impact on Social Organization:
- Assessment of how African American history contributes to social activism within Africana communities.
- Discussion of community development initiatives and social justice movements influenced by this history.
Conclusion: African American history, especially the Civil Rights and Black Power era, serves as a pivotal foundation for Africana Studies, shaping the ethos and social organization of Africana communities. This history provides a historical context for understanding the struggles and achievements of these communities, contributing to their resilience and determination.
References/Works Cited:
- Karenga, Maulana (2010). [Include citation for Karenga’s work]
- [Include other relevant sources and documentaries]
This paper addresses Option #1 by focusing on the significance of African American history in shaping the ethos and social organization of Africana communities, with a particular emphasis on the Civil Rights and Black Power era. You can further develop this paper by conducting research on specific events, figures, and movements within African American history and their impact on contemporary Africana communities’ ethos and social organization.
QUESTION
Description
OPTION #1: Based on your engagement with any one or more of Africana Studies’ 7 subject areas, research a relevant issue or problem, of interest to you, within any Africana community, with focus on how this issue/problem is addressed by any of the 7 Africana Studies subjects/bodies of analysis.
OR
OPTION #2: Career Assessment Paper. Based on your chosen CSU major or your career path, conduct research which analyzes and assesses your chosen professional field. Your assessment and analysis should answer the following questions:
What led you to your chosen field/focus? How and when did you decide to pursue this career or degree; what is your personal goals as a professional; what is the goal or mission of your career; what connections, if any, can you draw between your career and the 7 subject areas of Africana Studies; what are the important professional organization/s of your field?
Papers should comprise of a title, an introduction (thesis statement and paper summary), body (of relevant data), conclusion, and references/works cited.
Per the grading/feedback rubric, write professionally, grammatically, and fully, proofread your writing before submitting.
Papers should comprise of a title, an introduction (thesis statement and paper summary), body (of relevant data), conclusion, and references/works cited.
Per the grading/feedback rubric, write professionally, grammatically, and fully, proofread your writing before submitting.
In-class Honors Credit (90 points or higher, required and registration with CSU Honors College)
- Focus your Service-Learning Midterm assignment project report on an organization that is within your future career, adding a detailed analysis of ways the organization’s professional goals address, or could address, a larger mission such as “community development,” “human advancement” or “societal injustices/inequity”?
- Focus your Final Analysis Assignment on conducting research which extends your Service-Learning midterm report by further exploring, detailing, and assessing how your chosen career field, or your personal participation in same, can be shaped by Africana Studies imperatives.
At least 90 points on both midterm report and final paper, required.
I will attach the service-learning plan, if you choose that route
Africana Studies discipline comprises of 7 subject areas also known as sub-fields, which are history, arts/aesthetics, psychology, ethos, social organization, economic organization, and political organization.
History is an important subject which Maulana Karenga rightfully sees as a key foundation for the other 6 subjects. History methods help us explore the African foundation or grounding for this discipline which is created mostly by, and thus mainly addresses, African descendants, particularly African Americans. Still, the African heritage history is important to Africana Studies’ unique focus, cultural theories, and methods.
History is also important context or background for key themes explored within the 6 other areas of Africana Studies. In fact, an important “modal” period of history for Africana Studies is the modern (mid-29th century) Civil Rights and Black Power era, which gave birth to Africana Studies. The “…Eyes on the Prize …” and other documentaries will describe the context and contribute insights into this unique American creation.
Other sources, including Karenga (2010), help us explore and gain insight into previous and subsequent “modal” periods of African and African American history. All to better prepare us for deep dives into such issues as the unique aesthetic imperatives within Black communities, among the many other issues to be explored in this course.