WOMENSST 391M – African American Women and the Civil Rights Movement
To be taken as History 597

Dayo Gore
Women's Studies - UMASS

Fall 2009, Tuesday-Thursday 1:00-2:15 pm

Synopsis:

This course examines black women’s participation in and influence on the U.S. Civil Rights/Black Power movements from the 1940s to the 1980s as well as the impact of these movements and struggles on black women’s daily lives, status and politics in the United States. Centering black women’s experiences as grassroots organizers, political leadership and civil rights activists this course explores significant events, organizations and political theories that helped to form and transform the black freedom struggle during the latter part of the Twentieth Century. In addition we will examine debates over leadership styles and political goals as well as the dynamics of class, sexuality, race, gender and region that shaped social activism and the cultural politics of the movements. From this vantage point we will begin the process of addressing a range of longstanding issues that have plagued activists and theorists alike including building solidarity, sustaining political commitments, creating viable organizations and developing strategies for long-term social change.  This course fulfills the Women of Color inside the US requirement for Women’s Studies majors and minors.

Syllabus: Not available

Course Website: Not available