The Purpose of this Course  

This course is an exploration of the social, historical, and cultural factors influencing Black women in U.S. society. This course is intended to examine Black women’s lives in the United States and critique ways that history, politics, and society have attempted to define African American women in various aspects of their lives: motherhood, relationships, love, work, family, and on girlhood, sexualities, education, health, and well-being. The power of self-definition and the work of brilliant Black feminist/womanist scholars will center our learnings over the course of the semester.  

🍎Course Learning Outcomes (CLO) 

For this course, the following learning outcomes will be met through a variety of assigned readings, films, assignments and discussions.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. List ways in which the historical nature of Black people in the U.S. has significantly impacted the living conditions for Black women in this country.

2. Identify theoretical concepts of Black feminist thinkers and writers.

3. Analyze the roles that heterosexism, patriarchy, misogyny, misogynoir, homophobia and transphobia play in impacting the lives of Black women. 

4. Assess various relationship dynamics of Black women, including marriage, cohabitation, sexuality, friendship, and love.

5. Describe the strengths and resiliencies inherent within the lived experiences of Black women facing multiple, complex, intersectional adversities.

Textbooks for this course

Important Registrar Deadlines

Wednesday, August 20

• First Day of Our Class

Friday, August 29

• Waitlist Ends

Saturday, August 30

• Permission number is required to add a class

Tuesday, September 16

• Last Day to Drop Classes without a "W" Grade and Last Day to Add Classes via MySJSU

• Last Day to Submit Audit, Credit/No-Credit Option Requests

• Last Day to file Excess Units Petition

• Last Day to submit Instructor Drops

Wednesday, September 17

• Enrollment Census Date (No Enrollment allowed)

Thursday, September 18

• Late Add Post Census Request Requirement begins

• Late Drop/ Semester Withdrawal Petition Requirement begins

Friday, October 10

• Graduation Application Deadline to Qualify for Priority Registration for Undergrads

Tuesday, November 11

• Veteran's Day, Campus Closed

Thursday, November 27 - Friday, November 28

• Thanksgiving Holiday, Campus Closed. 

Monday, December 8

• Last Day of Instruction

• Last Day to Complete Coursework for "Incomplete Grades"