A survey of the black experience from the African homeland to initial capture, enslavement and emancipation - 1619 - 1865.

Examines the lives of African Americans from emancipation to the present.

Literature by African Americans is explored. Genres include political tracts, novels, speeches, essays, autobiographies, folk literature, biographies, poetry and drama from the early years of the United States through today.

Racism, its social connection to human physical difference (i.e. race) studied. References made to African/European relations, development of racist thought, major sociological models used in United States, re: race relations.