The African American Freedom Struggle, 1890-1974 module (HY42038)

The African American Freedom Struggle remains one of the most important developments of the twentieth century. The movement permanently altered American social relations, raised questions about the nation’s distribution of wealth, released a wave of racial nationalism and challenged the nation to confront the reality of American democracy.

This course considers the origins and development of the movement and seeks to impart an appreciation of the many complexities and contradictions within this history. You will study civil rights leaders, their organisations and strategies, mainstream protest movements, and alternative (or “radical”) approaches to the “American dilemma” of discrimination and racism.

What you will learn

In this module you will:

• explore a detailed account of the events and debates that shaped the development of the African American Freedom Struggle from 1890 to 1974
• explore the variety of sources available to historians when studying the African American Freedom Struggle, and an appreciation of the way in which these sources have been used
• explore the debate surrounding Martin Luther King’s contribution to the African American Freedom Struggle

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• offer detailed analysis of the Freedom Struggle from 1890 through to 1974 via the study of primary and secondary source material
• understand the varied debates and divisions that existed within the African American Freedom Struggle
• understand the role of Martin Luther King in the Freedom Struggle

Assignments / assessment

• essay 3000 words (45%)
• presentation 15 minutes (15%)
• final exam (40%)

Teaching methods / timetable

This module is taught via workshops and seminars.

The workshops look at various themes within the African American Freedom Struggle and includes film screenings. The seminars are in smaller groups and involve group work and the analysis of primary source material.