For the historian whose charge is to discover those antecedents in the past which can illuminate the present, the study of African history can be highly rewarding, both intellectually and professionally. This essay is addressed to students of history whose prime area of expertise is other than Africa. (RM)

Researchers of Black American culture argue that interpretations of their experience are skewed by academe's Western perspective, and are becoming champions of Afrocentricity. (MSE)

Establishes a black essentialist aesthetic for jazz rap, showing its relation to an African-derived history and other black traditions. Examines newer lines of argument in aesthetics about contemporary recordings focusing on Theodore Gracyk. Argues that jazz rap is defined by actual, not recorded, performance. (CMK)

This bibliography was compiled to demonstrate the extent to which African Americans have written on a broad array of topics that do not have racial concerns as the major focus. Nonfiction books of more than 100 pages written by persons of African descent who were born in the United States or lived in the country for substantial periods of time are…

The attempt by many urban school districts to develop African curricula creates a dilemma, because it usually places an African-centered program in a multicultural curriculum that is centered in the European-American educational tradition. Currently, some elements of an African and African-centered curriculum may be found in the multicultural…

This pamphlet surveys western historiography of precolonial Africa. Prior to World War II, African history emphasized the European role in Africa, relegating African history before European colonization to minor importance. Only after the increase in university enrollments and funding in the 1960's did opportunities for innovative research and new…

This report provides a general description of the inter-disciplinary Department of Afro-American Studies at Harvard University scheduled to open in the fall of 1969. Previously a program, Afro-American Studies was voted departmental status by a faculty vote in April 1969. Descriptions are provided for courses to be offered in: black civilization,…

Maintains that the challenges of multicultural education include providing reliable information about civilizations for which reliable information is difficult to find. Offers an overview of the history, culture, and significance of the ancient African civilization of Kush. Provides a list of student and teacher references. (CFR)

Although the systematic study of black people is much needed and long overdue, black studies programs as they exist are faced with problems and pressures concerning the way they have been created. Responding to black students demand for such programs, in some cases colleges have acted in haste and neither have recruited well-trained,…

The annotated bibliography cites over 500 audio-visual materials in the Afro-American Resource Center of the Toledo Public Schools. Black history and culture are emphasized, although some of the materials treat other ethnic and minority groups. Some items cited were published in the 70's, but most date from the 60's. The publication is divided…

Assesses to present state of knowledge of African-American contributions to, and the role of slavery in the settlement of, the Americas. Suggests areas for future research and discusses research problems. Argues that the economics of capitalism had more effect on conditions of slavery than did the legal codes. (DK)

The document presents 17 syllabi for undergraduate humanities courses treating black culture. This first volume of syllabi was prepared by participants in a 1981 Humanities Institute at Spelman College as part of an National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) grant. The document is divided into two parts. Part one, the bulk of the document, is…

Common myths and misconceptions about Blacks in American history and evidence that refutes them are presented. Issues addressed include Black enslavement patterns, social status within the Black community based on skin color, the legality of slaves learning to read, resistance to slavery, African influences in modern Black culture, Black names and…

The document presents 23 syllabi for undergraduate humanities courses treating black culture in the 20th century. This second volume of syllabi was prepared by participants in a 1982 Humanities Institute at Spelman College as part of a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) grant. The document contains 23 syllabi designed to cover the history…

Asserts that scholarship on the formative period of the African presence in the Americas is still in its infancy. Explores the role of ethnicity in the construction of the lives of African-born slaves in Mexico City during the early 1600s. Discusses implications of the findings, including the impact of ethnicity on marriage choices. (CFR)