Hcom 324: African American Narratives
Examines the development of African American and African diaspora literature. Explores the quintessential role African American and African diaspora literature and culture have played in the development of American mainstream literature, culture, and identity. Looks at vernacular tradition, the call and response practice, and the lyrics of the blues-infused, African American literary expression. Offers built-in assessment in HCOM MLO 6 or the concentrations in Africana Studies, Literary and Film Studies, Comparative American Studies or History, Oral History and New Media.
Course Reflective Narrative
In order to meet the requirement for my MLO3: Secondary and cultural Knowledge, I enrolled in HCOM 324: African American Narratives during the spring of 2013. In addition to learning the Spanish language and the Hispanic cultures that go along with it, we are to demonstrate a general knowledge of a socio-group other than a Hispanic one or mainstream American culture. I chose HCOM 324 and it was definitely genuine. I had previously learned somewhat of the African American history and culture, but this course went much dipper into those aspects. I read a series of novels which took me on a journey of the African American history from the times of slavery to contemporary times. I learned about their beliefs, their music, their folklore, religion, and social issues. The class made us analyzed every reading and participate in insightful discussions in order to add our thoughts and speak out our concerns. Previous to this course, my Upper Division courses had all focused in the Spanish language and the culture of the Hispanics world, which made it definitely valuable to be able to expand beyond that. I realize that it is important to expand cultural knowledge much as you can. Every culture has so much to offer and we should be receptive to anything that they can teach us. The idea itself of having a secondary cultural knowledge is something that I truly wish to incorporate as a future educator. I will definitely begin to look into that through my credential program and my development as teacher so that I will expand on that idea with my own work.