AFAM 170 Final Exam Study Guide PDF

**FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE- REVIEW 12/11/2024** ***AFAM 170***  ***STUDY GUIDE***  FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS  ***Films/Videos***    ***(TWO QUESTIONS FOR EACH FILM WILL BE SELECTED FOR THE FINAL EXAM)***  ***Race:  The Power of an Illusion***  1. ***What is the social construction of race? ***  1...

**FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE- REVIEW 12/11/2024** ***AFAM 170***  ***STUDY GUIDE***  FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS  ***Films/Videos***    ***(TWO QUESTIONS FOR EACH FILM WILL BE SELECTED FOR THE FINAL EXAM)***  ***Race:  The Power of an Illusion***  1. ***What is the social construction of race? ***  1. ***What is the eugenic movement?***  1. ***Why is net wealth/income an important category for scientist studying race?***  1. ***What is mitochondrional DNA and what does it tell us about race?***  ***Sankofa***  1. ***What are examples of Africanisms?***  1. ***What role did the Christian Church play in plantation life?***  1. ***What did the enslaved Africans do to resist their conditions?***  1. ***What is the Sankofa bird and why is it significant?***    ***(FIVE QUESTIONS FOR EACH CHAPTER (AND THE PREFACE SECTION)  WILL BE SELECTED FOR THE FINAL EXAM)***  ***Introduction to African American Studies***  ***Textbook:***  ***African American Studies:  Transdisciplinary Approaches and Implications, James Stewart and Talmadge Anderson***  ***Author's Note 2021***  ***Facing Old and New Challenges***  ***2016 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS AND CONSEQUENCES***  1. What executive branch action did President Trump take with regards DEI programs?    1. What do the American Medical Association and the Center for Disease Control statements on Race share?       1. What is self determination and agency and why do they matter to the Black community?     1. What are reparations and what does this Movement mean for African Americans now?     1. What is Reconstruction?  And why this historical period still significant for African Americans now?  1. What were some Black Activists group labeled by the FBI and why did this label matter?   Why did Black Veterans play such a critical role in all of the Social Justice Movements for the Black community?  **Introduction to Second Edition**  1. Is African American Studies a discipline, multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, or something else? Why?    TRANSDISCIPLINARY APPROACHES AND IMPLICATIONS:  A NOTE TO READERS    **Chapter 1**  1. What does post racial mean?  What examples of post racial have been used and what do these examples reveal to us?  1. What makes the transatlantic slave trade unique?     1. Why did Rev Jesse Jackson believe we needed to change our name from Negro and Black to African American?    1. What are Africanisms?  How does the textbook explain this phenomenon?    1. What is most compelling case the textbook gives for the need and the significance of African American Studies?     1. Who was Sojourner Truth and Frederick Douglas and what were their contributions to the field of African American Studies?     1. What were some of the key political and ideological differences between Booker T. Washington and W.E. B. DuBois?    ***African American/Black Philosophy and Social Change ***  ***Chapter 2***  1. Which was the first school to set up an African American studies program and what year did it take place?     1. Where did the student revolt against conventional academic traditions and curriculum start?  Why?   1.   1.  What was the Montgomery Bus boycott?  Who led this struggle and why did it start?   1. Where did the term Black Power come from and who is given credit for giving it national attention?   1. What were the first terms used by scientists to describe races and what were the implications of this classification of racial groups for humans?   1. What concern did Black students have about what they were exposed to at colleges and universities and the educational points of emphasis?    1. What are the weaknesses of  a Black Liberation ideology that only relies on working with in a Black community?    1. What argument is made for why African American studies can not just be for African Americans and supporting the African American community?   1. What is Maulana Karenga's Kawaida Theory and why is this a significant contribution for African American Studies?   1. What is Afrocentricity and who is given credit for leading Afrocentric scholarship?   1. Besides Afrocentric and Cultural Nationalism, what other paradigms and theories have African American Studies scholars utilized?  Name at least two from the textbook.  1. What is the "melting pot" idea for America and what critiques does the film Race the Power of an Illusion and the textbook have of this concept?   ANSWERS ======= **Summary: Race: The Power of an Illusion** 1. **Social Construction of Race** - Race is a concept created by society, not a biological reality. It is based on social perceptions and power dynamics rather than inherent genetic differences. 2. **Eugenic Movement** - Aimed at improving genetic quality through selective breeding and sterilization, the eugenic movement targeted marginalized groups, leading to discriminatory practices and policies. 3. **Net Wealth/Income in Race Studies** - Net wealth and income highlight economic disparities between racial groups, revealing the long-term effects of systemic racism and how economic inequality perpetuates social and health inequalities. 4. **Mitochondrial DNA and Race** - Mitochondrial DNA, inherited from the mother, traces maternal lineage and shows that genetic variation within racial groups is often greater than between them, challenging the notion of distinct biological races. Feel free to ask if you need more details or have other questions! **Summary: Sankofa** 1. **Examples of Africanisms** - Africanisms are cultural elements from Africa retained in the diaspora, including: - **Music and Dance**: Rhythms, drums, dance styles. - **Language**: African-rooted words and phrases. - **Religious Practices**: African spirituality integrated into other religions. - **Cuisine**: Foods and cooking methods from African traditions. 2. **Role of the Christian Church in Plantation Life** - The Christian Church had a complex role: - **Justification of Slavery**: Used by slaveholders to justify slavery as God-sanctioned. - **Control and Pacification**: Encouraged obedience and submission. - **Spiritual Resistance**: Enslaved Africans adapted Christianity to support their spiritual needs and resistance. 3. **Resistance by Enslaved Africans** - Enslaved Africans resisted in various ways: - **Passive Resistance**: Work slowdowns, feigning illness, sabotage. - **Cultural Resistance**: Maintaining traditions, languages, religious practices. - **Active Resistance**: Revolts, escape attempts, forming maroon communities. - **Intellectual Resistance**: Using education and literacy to challenge the system. 4. **Significance of the Sankofa Bird** - The Sankofa bird, from the Akan people of Ghana, symbolizes learning from the past to build a better future. It emphasizes the importance of understanding and honoring one\'s heritage and history as a foundation for progress and growth. Feel free to ask if you need more details or have other questions! **Summary: Introduction to African American Studies** **Author's Note 2021: Facing Old and New Challenges** 1. **Executive Branch Action on DEI Programs** - In 2020, President Trump issued an executive order to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training in federal agencies, aiming to eliminate what was seen as divisive concepts. 2. **Statements on Race by AMA and CDC** - Both the American Medical Association (AMA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognize racism as a public health threat, highlighting its role in creating health disparities and negatively impacting marginalized communities. 3. **Self-Determination and Agency** - Self-determination and agency are crucial for the Black community as they enable individuals and communities to make their own choices and control their lives, essential for overcoming oppression and achieving equality. 4. **Reparations Movement** - Reparations involve compensating descendants of enslaved people to address historical injustices and economic disadvantages. The movement aims to close the racial wealth gap and provide economic justice for African Americans. 5. **Reconstruction** - Reconstruction (1865-1877) was a period of reintegrating Southern states into the Union and addressing the rights of newly freed African Americans. It is significant for laying the groundwork for civil rights advancements and highlighting the ongoing struggle for racial equality. 6. **Labeling of Black Activist Groups by the FBI** - The FBI labeled some Black activist groups as \"Black Identity Extremists,\" targeting those perceived as threats due to their activism against police brutality and systemic racism. This labeling has been criticized for criminalizing legitimate activism and perpetuating stereotypes. **Introduction to Second Edition** 1. **Nature of African American Studies** - African American Studies is both interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary, integrating methods and perspectives from history, sociology, literature, and political science to understand the experiences and contributions of African-descended people. **Chapter 1** 1. **Post-Racial Concept** - \"Post-racial\" suggests a society beyond racial discrimination. Examples like Barack Obama\'s election as President are often cited, but ongoing racial disparities show that true post-racialism remains aspirational. 2. **Uniqueness of the Transatlantic Slave Trade** - The transatlantic slave trade was unique for its scale, brutality, and systematic dehumanization, involving the forced migration of millions of Africans to the Americas as part of the triangular trade system. 3. **Name Change to African American** - Rev. Jesse Jackson advocated for the term \"African American\" to emphasize cultural heritage and historical context, providing a sense of ethnic identity and pride similar to other ethnic groups in America. Feel free to ask if you need more details or have other questions! **Summary: Introduction to African American Studies** 1. **Africanisms** - Africanisms are cultural elements from Africa retained in the African diaspora, including linguistic patterns, religious practices, music, dance, and culinary traditions. These elements have been preserved and adapted over time, showcasing the resilience and creativity of African-descended people. 2. **Significance of African American Studies** - The textbook argues that African American Studies is crucial for understanding American history and culture. It highlights the often-overlooked contributions and experiences of African Americans and addresses issues of social justice and equity, making it relevant for contemporary society. 3. **Contributions of Sojourner Truth and Frederick Douglass** - Sojourner Truth was an abolitionist and women\'s rights activist known for her powerful speeches. Frederick Douglass, a former enslaved person, became a leading abolitionist, orator, and writer. Both significantly contributed to the fight against slavery and the promotion of civil rights, laying the groundwork for African American Studies. 4. **Differences Between Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois** - Booker T. Washington advocated for vocational education and economic self-reliance, believing social equality would follow economic success. W.E.B. DuBois emphasized higher education, political activism, and immediate civil rights, criticizing Washington\'s approach as too accommodating to segregation and discrimination. **Chapter 2** 1. **First African American Studies Program** - The first African American Studies program was established at San Francisco State College (now San Francisco State University) in 1968, following a student-led strike demanding a curriculum that reflected the experiences and contributions of African Americans. 2. **Student Revolt Against Conventional Curriculum** - The student revolt against conventional academic traditions and curriculum started at San Francisco State College in 1968. Led by the Black Student Union and the Third World Liberation Front, the strike demanded the establishment of a Black Studies department and a more inclusive curriculum addressing the needs and experiences of marginalized communities. Feel free to ask if you need more details or have other questions! **Summary: African American/Black Philosophy and Social Change** 1. **Montgomery Bus Boycott** - A pivotal civil rights protest against bus segregation in Montgomery, Alabama, starting on December 5, 1955, after Rosa Parks\' arrest. Led by Martin Luther King Jr., it lasted 381 days and aimed to end segregated seating on public buses. 2. **Origin of \"Black Power\"** - Popularized by Stokely Carmichael (Kwame Ture) in 1966 during a rally in Mississippi. It emphasized racial pride, economic empowerment, and the creation of political and cultural institutions. 3. **Early Scientific Terms for Races** - Terms like \"types,\" \"varieties,\" and \"species\" were used, implying a hierarchy of races. This pseudoscientific approach, known as scientific racism, justified racial discrimination and inequality. 4. **Concerns of Black Students in Colleges** - Black students felt that college curricula were Eurocentric and excluded African American contributions and perspectives. They demanded Black Studies programs and more inclusive curricula. 5. **Weaknesses of Black Liberation Ideology** - Focusing solely within the Black community can lead to isolation from broader societal structures and resources, missing opportunities for alliances and engagement with mainstream systems crucial for broader social change. 6. **Broader Relevance of African American Studies** - African American Studies addresses issues of social justice, equality, and human rights relevant to all people. It provides critical insights into race and racism, essential for a multicultural society. 7. **Maulana Karenga's Kawaida Theory** - An African-centered philosophy emphasizing cultural revolution and reclaiming African identity. It advocates synthesizing African thought and practice to address contemporary issues and has influenced cultural and social movements, including Kwanzaa. 8. **Afrocentricity** - An academic approach centering the experiences of African people and the diaspora, developed by Molefi Kete Asante in the 1980s. It challenges Eurocentric narratives and reframes history from an African-centered perspective. 9. **Other Paradigms in African American Studies** - **Intersectionality**: Examines how race, gender, and class intersect and impact individuals and groups. - **Critical Race Theory (CRT)**: Analyzes how race and racism intersect with other social stratifications and are embedded in legal and social systems. 10. **Critiques of the \"Melting Pot\" Idea** - The \"melting pot\" suggests blending cultures into a unified identity, but critiques argue it promotes assimilation at the expense of diversity and fails to address systemic inequalities. The film \"Race: The Power of an Illusion\" and the textbook highlight how this narrative obscures racial hierarchies and ongoing racism. Feel free to ask if you need more details or have other questions! Summarize ========= **Summary: Race: The Power of an Illusion** 1. **Social Construction of Race** - Race is a societal concept, not a biological reality, based on social perceptions and power dynamics. 2. **Eugenic Movement** - Aimed at improving genetic quality through selective breeding and sterilization, targeting marginalized groups and leading to discriminatory practices. 3. **Net Wealth/Income in Race Studies** - Highlights economic disparities between racial groups, revealing the long-term effects of systemic racism and perpetuating social and health inequalities. 4. **Mitochondrial DNA and Race** - Mitochondrial DNA, inherited from the mother, traces maternal lineage and shows greater genetic variation within racial groups than between them, challenging the notion of distinct biological races. **Summary: Sankofa** 1. **Examples of Africanisms** - Cultural elements from Africa retained in the diaspora, including: - **Music and Dance**: Rhythms, drums, dance styles. - **Language**: African-rooted words and phrases. - **Religious Practices**: African spirituality integrated into other religions. - **Cuisine**: Foods and cooking methods from African traditions. 2. **Role of the Christian Church in Plantation Life** - The Christian Church had a complex role: - **Justification of Slavery**: Used by slaveholders to justify slavery as God-sanctioned. - **Control and Pacification**: Encouraged obedience and submission. - **Spiritual Resistance**: Enslaved Africans adapted Christianity to support their spiritual needs and resistance. 3. **Resistance by Enslaved Africans** - Enslaved Africans resisted in various ways: - **Passive Resistance**: Work slowdowns, feigning illness, sabotage. - **Cultural Resistance**: Maintaining traditions, languages, religious practices. - **Active Resistance**: Revolts, escape attempts, forming maroon communities. - **Intellectual Resistance**: Using education and literacy to challenge the system. 4. **Significance of the Sankofa Bird** - The Sankofa bird, from the Akan people of Ghana, symbolizes learning from the past to build a better future. It emphasizes the importance of understanding and honoring one\'s heritage and history as a foundation for progress and growth. **Summary: Introduction to African American Studies** **Author's Note 2021: Facing Old and New Challenges** 1. **Executive Branch Action on DEI Programs** - In 2020, President Trump issued an executive order to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training in federal agencies, aiming to eliminate what was seen as divisive concepts. **Summary: Introduction to African American Studies** **Author's Note 2021: Facing Old and New Challenges** 2. **Statements on Race by AMA and CDC** - Both the American Medical Association (AMA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognize racism as a public health threat, highlighting its role in creating health disparities and negatively impacting marginalized communities. 3. **Self-Determination and Agency** - Self-determination and agency are crucial for the Black community as they enable individuals and communities to make their own choices and control their lives, essential for overcoming oppression and achieving equality. 4. **Reparations Movement** - Reparations involve compensating descendants of enslaved people to address historical injustices and economic disadvantages. The movement aims to close the racial wealth gap and provide economic justice for African Americans. 5. **Reconstruction** - Reconstruction (1865-1877) was a period of reintegrating Southern states into the Union and addressing the rights of newly freed African Americans. It is significant for laying the groundwork for civil rights advancements and highlighting the ongoing struggle for racial equality. 6. **Labeling of Black Activist Groups by the FBI** - The FBI labeled some Black activist groups as \"Black Identity Extremists,\" targeting those perceived as threats due to their activism against police brutality and systemic racism. This labeling has been criticized for criminalizing legitimate activism and perpetuating stereotypes. **Introduction to Second Edition** 1. **Nature of African American Studies** - African American Studies is both interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary, integrating methods and perspectives from history, sociology, literature, and political science to understand the experiences and contributions of African-descended people. **Chapter 1** 1. **Post-Racial Concept** - \"Post-racial\" suggests a society beyond racial discrimination. Examples like Barack Obama\'s election as President are often cited, but ongoing racial disparities show that true post-racialism remains aspirational. 2. **Uniqueness of the Transatlantic Slave Trade** - The transatlantic slave trade was unique for its scale, brutality, and systematic dehumanization, involving the forced migration of millions of Africans to the Americas as part of the triangular trade system. 3. **Name Change to African American** - Rev. Jesse Jackson advocated for the term \"African American\" to emphasize cultural heritage and historical context, providing a sense of ethnic identity and pride similar to other ethnic groups in America. **Summary: African American/Black Philosophy and Social Change** 1. **Montgomery Bus Boycott** - A pivotal civil rights protest against bus segregation in Montgomery, Alabama, starting on December 5, 1955, after Rosa Parks\' arrest. Led by Martin Luther King Jr., it lasted 381 days and aimed to end segregated seating on public buses. 2. **Origin of \"Black Power\"** - Popularized by Stokely Carmichael (Kwame Ture) in 1966 during a rally in Mississippi. It emphasized racial pride, economic empowerment, and the creation of political and cultural institutions. 3. **Early Scientific Terms for Races** - Terms like \"types,\" \"varieties,\" and \"species\" were used, implying a hierarchy of races. This pseudoscientific approach, known as scientific racism, justified racial discrimination and inequality. 4. **Concerns of Black Students in Colleges** - Black students felt that college curricula were Eurocentric and excluded African American contributions and perspectives. They demanded Black Studies programs and more inclusive curricula. 5. **Weaknesses of Black Liberation Ideology** - Focusing solely within the Black community can lead to isolation from broader societal structures and resources, missing opportunities for alliances and engagement with mainstream systems crucial for broader social change. 6. **Broader Relevance of African American Studies** - African American Studies addresses issues of social justice, equality, and human rights relevant to all people. It provides critical insights into race and racism, essential for a multicultural society. 7. **Maulana Karenga's Kawaida Theory** - An African-centered philosophy emphasizing cultural revolution and reclaiming African identity. It advocates synthesizing African thought and practice to address contemporary issues and has influenced cultural and social movements, including Kwanzaa. 8. **Afrocentricity** - An academic approach centering the experiences of African people and the diaspora, developed by Molefi Kete Asante in the 1980s. It challenges Eurocentric narratives and reframes history from an African-centered perspective. 9. **Other Paradigms in African American Studies** - **Intersectionality**: Examines how race, gender, and class intersect and impact individuals and groups. - **Critical Race Theory (CRT)**: Analyzes how race and racism intersect with other social stratifications and are embedded in legal and social systems. 10. **Critiques of the \"Melting Pot\" Idea** - The \"melting pot\" suggests blending cultures into a unified identity, but critiques argue it promotes assimilation at the expense of diversity and fails to address systemic inequalities. The film \"Race: The Power of an Illusion\" and the textbook highlight how these narrative obscures racial hierarchies and ongoing racism.