SOCY 1043 Introduction to African-American Society
To get Sociology credit for the major or minor, you must register for SOCY1043 rather than cross-listed course. In 1896, distinguished scholar W.E.B. DuBois became convinced that the experience of Africans in the Americas was so distinctive that it was imperative to study Black people in order to understand power dynamics at all levels of society. This course will study those power dynamics. While paying particular attention to the many ways that racial power dynamics have impacted all people of African descent in the United States, this course does not assume a uniform Black experience. We shall see that gender, class, and sexuality greatly shape the differing experiences of African-Americans.
Course overview
- Department
- Sociology
- School
- MCAS
- Credits
- 3
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Offered
- Periodically in the Fall, Periodically in the Spring
Catalog details
- Satisfies core
- Social Science,Cultural Diversity
Requirements fulfilled
- African and African Diaspora Studies: Cross-listed courses named in the catalog (count as AADS electives under either number) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Applied Psychology and Human Development: Major electives — any Psychology (PSYC) or Sociology (SOCY) course (no more than two electives from outside LSEHD) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Sociology: Sociology electives (18 credits, generally six courses) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- University Core: Cultural Diversity (All undergraduates)
- University Core: Social Science (All undergraduates)
Course evaluations
- Course rating
- 4.25 / 5 · Very Good
- Instructor rating
- 4.32 / 5 · Very Good
- Terms evaluated
- 4
| Term | Instructor | Course overall | Instructor overall | Well organized | Clear learning objectives | Intellectually challenging | Helpful assignments | Applicable beyond course | Attendance necessary | Weekly effort | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2025 | Clifton Mcguffey | 4.0 | 4.2 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.2 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4–6 hrs/week | 31 of 41 |
| Fall 2024 | Clifton Mcguffey | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.3 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4–6 hrs/week | 26 of 30 |
| Spring 2024 | Clifton Mcguffey | 4.6 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4–6 hrs/week | 41 of 52 |
| Fall 2023 | Clifton Mcguffey | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 28 of 36 |