Course Description:

African American Theater Arts:  An historic perspective of the influences of African culture on art, dance, music and theater on America.  The course will examine the socio-cultural aspects of the integration of Africans from the Atlantic Slave Trade into life in America.  We will study the anthropological influences of the African culture upon the fine and performing arts in America.

Learning Outcomes:

The course will follow the history of the Atlantic Slave trade and the integration of Africans into America.

The course will examine the anthropological aspects of the African culture and its influence on American culture. 

We will study how the African culture has greatly influenced American fine and performing arts:  Art, music, dance and theater.  For example, we will explore the origins of African music and its influence on such genres as jazz, rhythm and blues to rock and roll. 

We will observe the symbiotic relationships between genres such as music and dance.  For example, we will study how the music inspired the dance.

We will examine how the music and dance were an integral part of surviving the struggles of daily life.

We will study the history, observe the art, and listen to music and watch videos to gain a greater understanding of the impact of the African culture on American fine and performing arts.

Assessment Components:

Attendance

Students will be graded on class attendance.  Absence will only be excused in the event of an emergency.  The instructor must be notified vie e-mail, cell phone text prior to class. 

Level of Quality of Participation

Students will be required to have the reading assignments completed prior to class in order to help facilitate classroom discussions. This course is interactive and students will be graded based upon participation of group discussions. 

Mid-Term Paper

Each student will be required to write a 6-8 paged, typed and double-spaced mid-term paper.  The 6-8 pages should be written text.  Photos will be supplemental.  The instructor will provide a list of topics. Should the student wish to write on a topic outside of the list provided, it must be submitted to the instructor for prior approval.  A supplemental power point presentation on CD may be submitted for extra credit.  Students will be graded on the critical and historic analysis of the topic as well as accuracy of historic information.  In addition, originality, creativity and clarity of thought will be expected at the upper-level division. Students will be required to document and cite all sources using MLA format including internet, video and audio sources. 

Mid-Term Exam

There will be an exam given at mid-term.  All information from the first day of class will be covered.  The exam will be multiple choice, fill in the blank and short answers. 

Final Exam

There will be a final exam given on the last day of class.  Students will be responsible for all information given from the second half of the semester.  The exam will be multiple choice, fill in the blank and sort answers.

Final Power Point Oral Presentation

Each student will be required to prepare a Power Point Project to be presented to the class at the end of the semester. 

Grading Scale

10%

Attendance

10%

Level and Quality of Participation

20%

Mid-Term Paper

20%

Mid-Term Examination

20%

Final Power Point Oral Presentation

20%

Final Examination

Grading Scale Total

100 points

  A:

90 - 100

B:

80- 89

C:

70 - 79

D:

60 - 69

F:

Below 60

Please note:  Cell phone use and text messaging will not be permitted in class.

Required Texts:

Title #1

Creating Black Americans:  African-American History and Its Meanings, 1619 to Present

Author

Nell Irvin Painter

Publisher

Oxford University Press, Inc.

Copyright

2006

ISBN - 13

978-0-19-513755-2

ISBN - 10

0-19-513755-8

Title #2

Black Dance From 1619 to Today

Edition

Second

Author

Lynne Fauley Emery

Publisher

Princeton Book Company

Copyright

1988

ISBN

0-916622-61-4

Title #3

Steppin’ On The Blues: The Visible Rhythms of African American Dance

Author

Jacqui Malone

Publisher

Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois Press

Copyright

1996

ISBN

0-252-02211-4

ISBN

0-252-06508-5 (paperback)

Collab Course Site:

Syllabus

Syllabus will be posted on the Collab course site.  Should there be any changes to the schedule, the instructor will notify the class via announcements.

Reading Assignments

All weekly reading assignments will be listed on the Collab course site under “Assignments”

Instructor communication

All students must check their “Announcements” and/or student e-mails daily for any important messages from the instructor. 

Videos

Should the instructor download a video to the Collab course site, a message will be sent under “Announcements.”

Grades

The instructor will post ALL grades on the Collab course site.

Technical Support Contacts

• Login/Password: scpshelpdesk@virginia.edu
• UVaCollab: collab-support@virginia.edu
• BbCollaborate (Elluminate) Support: scpshelpdesk@virginia.edu

or http://support.blackboardcollaborate.com

University of

Virginia Policies:

E-mail

Students are expected to check their official U.Va. email addresses on a frequent and consistent basis to remain informed of University communications, as certain communications may be time sensitive. Students who fail to check their email on a   regular basis are responsible for any resulting consequences.

Honor System

All work should be pledged in the spirit of the Honor System at the University of Virginia.   The instructor will indicate which assignments and activities are to be done individually and which permit collaboration. The following pledge should be written out at the end of all quizzes, examinations, individual assignments and papers:  “I pledge that I have neither given nor received help a on this examination (quiz, assignment, etc.)”.  The pledge must be signed by the student. For more information please visit Honor System

Special Needs

It is the policy of the University of Virginia to accommodate students with disabilities in accordance with federal and state laws. Any SCPS student with a disability who needs accommodation (e.g., in arrangements for seating, extended time for examinations, or note taking, etc.), should contact the Learning Needs and Evaluation Center (LNEC) and provide them with appropriate medical or psychological documentation of his/her condition. Once accommodations are approved, it is the student’s responsibility to follow up with the instructor about logistics and implementation of accommodations. Accommodations for test taking should be arranged at least 14 business days in advance of the date of the test(s). Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact the LNEC: 434-243-5180/Voice, 434-465-6579/Video Phone, 434-243-5188/Fax. Further policies and statements available: U.Va. Special Needs Website

For further policies and statements about student rights and responsibilities, please see U.Va  Website (http://www.scps.virginia.edu/audience/students

Course Description:

African American Theater Arts:  An historic perspective of the influences of African culture on art, dance, music and theater on America.  The course will examine the socio-cultural aspects of the integration of Africans from the Atlantic Slave Trade into life in America.  We will study the anthropological influences of the African culture upon the fine and performing arts in America.

Learning Outcomes:

The course will follow the history of the Atlantic Slave trade and the integration of Africans into America.

The course will examine the anthropological aspects of the African culture and its influence on American culture. 

We will study how the African culture has greatly influenced American fine and performing arts:  Art, music, dance and theater.  For example, we will explore the origins of African music and its influence on such genres as jazz, rhythm and blues to rock and roll. 

We will observe the symbiotic relationships between genres such as music and dance.  For example, we will study how the music inspired the dance.

We will examine how the music and dance were an integral part of surviving the struggles of daily life.

We will study the history, observe the art, and listen to music and watch videos to gain a greater understanding of the impact of the African culture on American fine and performing arts.