HSTAA 490, Topics in American History, Winter 2021: Black Freedom in the Post-Emancipation U.S.
From the end of the Civil War to the present day, efforts to realize full freedom for Black Americans have been understood as projects to “reconstruct” U.S. society. This reading and discussion course examines the problem of Black freedom in the U.S. from the end of the Civil War to the present. Beginning with the period of U.S. history known as “Reconstruction” (1865-1877) and continuing through the Civil Rights Movement of the mid-20th century (the “Second Reconstruction”) and today’s Movement for Black Lives (understood by some as a call for a “Third Reconstruction”), we will examine efforts to fulfill the visions Black Americans have held for full and substantive freedom in U.S. society.
This course is offered via remote learning with an asynchronous option. For students who choose to attend them, live synchronous Zoom sessions will take place on Thursdays, 3:00pm-4:50pm PST.