DAY section Week 10: Black Religion/ Sociology

Hank Williams

Image: US American Black. Faith Ringgold. via artist’s website. 1969. Oil on canvas. 60 x 84″. From Ringgold’s “Black Light” series.

NOTE THAT THIS IS THE UPDATE FOR THE DAY SECTION: IF YOU’RE IN THE NIGHT SECTION, SEE THE POST FOR YOUR CLASS

First, a few housekeeping details:

Course Announcements:

  • Prof. Williams Zoom live chat hours: Monday/Wednesday from 4-5 PM! on Zoom here. Or call: +1 929 205 6099 then add meeting ID: 528 450 5381. Or drop by Carman 291.

Quick highlights from Week 9 (10/24, 26):

  • Reviewed the first part of Chapter 5–ancient African spiritual traditions in Introduction to Black Studies

Do this for week 10: October 31/ November 2

For Monday October 31

  • Read the sections of chapter 5 on the social ethics of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (pages TBA) and the Nation of Islam/Malcolm X
  • READ THESE PAGES for Monday: 214-222, 224 (The Christian tradition, Social ethics of Martin Luther King, Black Liberation Theology, Summary on p. 224). 228-229, 232-236: Muslim tradition, Nation of Islam, social ethics of Malcolm X

What to read for:

Focus on how Dr. King, the Nation of Islam, and Malcolm X all interpret religious/spiritual traditions and how these are specific to the Black community. Understand how Christianity and Islam shape Black life

For Wednesday November 2

  • Read up to section 6.6 (pp. 249-268) of chapter 6 (Black Sociology) in Maulana Karenga’s Introduction to Black Studies. (18 pages total)

What to read for:

The first half of chapter 6 deals with social science approaches of studying/analyzing Black communities, families, and life. Think about how the approaches presented deal with issues of methodology (how research is done and what questions are asked), impartiality and objectivity in research, and the relationship of the researcher to the subject. Try to understand:

  • Issues of ghettoization
  • culture and the different models
  • issues of studying Black family relations and the various approaches

ATTEND class on Monday and Wednesday

General reading strategies:

  • Underline/highlight key points in the text
  • Use the reading questions at the back of chapters to focus you: read those first
  • Try to understand the definitions of the key concepts listed at the back of the chapter
  • Make a note to ask the instructor to clarify anything you don’t understand
  • Note key issues, approaches, and dilemmas/challenges Dr. Karenga outlines

Discussion questions

  • See chapter/essay highlights above

What’s Next?

Second half of Chapter 6 in Introduction to Black Studies

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