AFRO 490: Ideology

Abstract: This first lecture covers the history of Black Studies, its relation to Communist and Socialist thought, and why Black Studies matters. 

Course: AFRO 490: Rethinking Theory in Black Studies  

Instructor: Abdul Alkalimat  

Term: Fall 2011  Unit:   Ideology: The ideological crisis we face and the ideology we need   

Duration: 01:34:50 HH:MM:SS 

Lecture description: This is the first of a five part lecture series on the theory of Black Studies. This first lecture covers the history of Black Studies, Communist and Socialist thought. Alkalimat talks about the history of black studies in America, the paradigm shift that occured when Malcolm X delivered his three Detroit Speeches, and the need for black studies in the present day. 

Sponsor: Department of African American Studies, and Online Continuing Education   

Course Description: This course is an introduction to various theories and methodologies rising out of the study of the Black world based on African American intellectual traditions. 45 years after Black Power posed a challenge to thinking by and about the African American experience it is necessary to rethink this legacy of changing consciousness. This is both a look at the theoretical formulations in the academic field of Black Studies, but more importantly it is thinking about how we the people can understand and be more self determining about our consciousness and how we can reorient ourselves to the fight for freedom. Now as then, we have work to do.