NIGHT February 28: Black Studies areas and Diop’s legacy

Hank Williams

 

Cheikh Anta Diop

 

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

First, a few housekeeping details:

  • Remember that this class doesn’t use Blackboard. Check the course website every week for updates and detailed reading instructions which will appear on this page
  • Get a copy of the required course book–Dr. Maulana Karenga’s Introduction to Black Studies, 4th edition–if you haven’t done so already. You will need it to do the reading assignments for the rest of the semester.  Details on the books page and it’s also on reserve in Lehman’s library.

General Announcements:

  • NO CLASS MEETING ON TUESDAY FEBRUARY 21, WHICH IS A MONDAY SCHEDULE IN CUNY. WE NEXT MEET TUESDAY FEBRUARY 28
  • Lehman has emergency grants available to quickly provide money for housing, medical, food, transportation, and other needs. Details at the Student Affairs office.
  • The Lehman Food Bank offers food assistance. Details here.
  • Lehman has a very comprehensive page of students resources including laptop/tablet loans. Details here.
  • TIckets for Nikki Giovanni event here

Quick highlights from second class on 2/14

  • Reviewed connections between CUNY Open Admissions, SEEK, and Black/Puerto Rican Studies founding
  • Reviewed Marimba Ani’s essay

DO THIS for Tuesday February 28:

READ sections of chapter 2 in Maulana Karenga’s Introduction to Black Studies (pages 39-60).

  • Read only pp 39-60 (“Developmental Initiatives”) in chapter 2
  • This book is on reserve at Lehman’s library if yours doesn’t arrive in time.
  • Pay special attention to section 2.6 (“Classical African Studies”). Focus on pp. 54-57, particularly the section on Cheikh Anta Diop.
    • Know why Diop is a significant figure and his intellectual contributions.
    • Also be able to explain Karenga’s reasons for the importance of Egypt and Nile Valley civilization on pp. 56-57

READ Dr. Asa Hilliard’s essay “The Meaning of KMT (Ancient Egyptian) History for Contemporary African American Experience” from The Maroon Within Us (PDF on the Readings page-Now posted!)

    • Know why Diop is a significant figure and his intellectual contributions.
    • Also be able to explain Karenga’s reasons for the importance of Egypt and Nile Valley civilization on pp. 56-57

READ TO UNDERSTAND the questions at the bottom of this post to DISCUSS them with classmates and myself.

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
  • Read the chapter outline in the table of contents first, then the key words at the back of the chapter to guide your reading

Goals: understand the following key points from the chapters

  • What is worldview?
  • What’s the importance of worldview to the discipline of Africana Studies?
  • How does the origin of the discipline shape the approach?
  • How does the issue of relevance shape the discipline?
  • Why is Cheikh Anta Diop important to Africana Studies?
  • What is the relevance of Nile Valley Civilization to the present day?

What’s Next?

Chapter 3 in Introduction to Black Studies: “Black History: African Background”

 

Advertisement