Course listings | Case Western Reserve University

Term: Spring 2022

AFST 151: Introducing Africana Religions (100/10410)

TR 10:00-11:15 AM Jan 10-Apr 25

Johnson, M

This "topics course" offers an introduction to the academic study of Africana Religions. Whether approached through a particular theme or as a general historical introduction, each section of this course provides students with a general introduction to the academic study of religion and basic religious literacy in religions of people of African origins in sub-Saharan African, the Caribbean, Europe, and the Americas and thus will explore forms of these traditions in a diversity of cultural contexts. Section topics could include, but are not limited to: Introducing Africana Religions: The Black Church in the U.S., Introducing Africana Religions: Yoruba Ifa Traditions, Introducing Africana Religions: Orisha Traditions in Latin America and the Caribbean, Introducing Africana Religions: African American Religions, Introducing Africana Religions: U.S. African-derived Religions. Students may repeat the course for credit (up to 6 credits), provided that the two sections are different. Offered as AFST 151 and RLGN 151.

AFST 202: Race and Ethnic Minorities in The United States (100/3542)

MWF 10:35-11:25 AM Jan 10-Apr 25

Hutcherson, D

This is a survey course that looks at the relations between racial and ethnic relations in the United States from an historical and contemporary perspective. This course will look at relations between: European colonists and native Americans; whites and blacks during the period of slavery, Jim Crow, the civil rights era and contemporary period; immigrants at the turn of the 20th and 21st century; Mexicans and Puerto Ricans; and the pan-ethnic groups such as Latinos, Asian Americans, and Arab Americans. We examine the origins of racial/ethnic hierarchies, the social construction of identities, and stratification of racial and ethnic groups. This course will take a macro perspective that examines larger structural forces (e.g., colonization, industrialization, and immigration) to explain inter-group relations, and a constructionist perspective to understand how power manufactures and maintains the social meaning of identities (looking at stereotypes and hegemonic discourse). Students who have received credit for SOCI 302 may not receive credit for SOCI 202. Offered as AFST 202 and SOCI 202.

AFST 212: History of Rock and Roll (100/3791)

MW 04:50-06:05 PM Jan 10-Apr 25

Nemeth, S

This course surveys the musical practices of the rock and roll era, broadly defined to include much popular music since the 1950s. Music majors are to enroll in MUHI 312. Offered as AFST 212 and MUGN 212.

AFST 212: History of Rock and Roll (101/3792)

MW 04:50-06:05 PM Jan 10-Apr 25

Ruozzo, S

AFST 328: Capitalism, Cities, and Inequality (100/10392)

TR 04:00-05:15 PM Jan 10-Apr 25

Black, T

This course focuses on social inequality, but through an examination of cities in the U.S. and abroad. In many ways, cities provide a window onto the organization of the larger social world, including regional, state, national and global areas. As such, understanding cities goes far beyond their geographical boundaries. The purpose of this course then is to learn the central role that cities play within a larger capitalist economy, how public policies shape life in cities, how cities organize and reproduce social inequality, and how community groups and organizations challenge and negotiate the organization of power and inequality. The course will examine topics such as the formal and informal labor force, immigration, the growth of global cities and slums, urban poverty, racial segregation, housing and homelessness, crime, gentrification, policing, community organization and political resistance. Offered as AFST 328, SOCI 328 and SOCI 428.

AFST 365N: Topics in African-American Literature (100/10736)

MW 03:20-04:35 PM Jan 10-Apr 25

Benton, L

Selected topics and writers from nineteenth, twentieth, and twenty-first century African-American literature. May focus on a genre, a single author or a group of authors, a theme or themes. Maximum 6 credits. Offered as AFST 365N, ENGL 365N, ETHS 365N, WLIT 365N, ENGL 465N, and WLIT 465N.

AFST 372: Africa's International Relations 1945 to the Present (100/10856)

TR 10:00-11:15 AM Jan 10-Apr 25

Zeleza, P

This course examines the development of Africa's international relations from World War II to the present. The period covers the decolonization era and the period after independence. It will focus on three key aspects of the continent's international relations: intra-African relations, relations with the major powers and emerging economies, and relations with the African Diasporas. It will explore the complex, contradictory, and rapidly changing political, economic, social, cultural, strategic and geopolitical forces that shaped these relations separately and in their interconnections. Offered as AFST 372, HSTY 372, and POSC 372

AFST 389: Race, Immigration and American Political Developme (100/10715)

MW 12:45-02:00 PM Jan 10-Apr 25

Parris, G

Specific topic will vary but will consist of an in-depth investigation of a particular policy area or political phenomenon. Topics will involve policy controversies of some current interest. Offered as AFST 389, POSC 389, and POSC 489.

AFST 393: Advanced Readings in the History of Race (100/10401)

MW 12:45-02:00 PM Jan 10-Apr 25

Flores, J

This course examines the concept of race as a social construction that carries political and economic implications. We begin by examining the histories of the early racial taxonomists (e.g., Bernier, Linnaeus, and Blumenbach among others) and the contexts that informed their writings. We then assess how the concept of race changed from the nineteenth to the twentieth century in the United States. We conclude by evaluating how the ideology of race has influenced U.S. domestic life and foreign policy at specific historical moments. Offered as AFST 393, HSTY 393, HSTY 493, and ETHS 393.