ABS 315 - Black Hair Politics

Description:
This course critically examines the politics of Black hair and the evolving and discriminatory practices connected to it, as framed through its history, culture, art, psychology, sociology, and economics. This course satisfies CWU’s ADI graduation requirement.

Prerequisites:
Prerequisite: satisfaction of the General Education K1: Academic Writing II requirement.

Credits: (5)

Learner Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

define key concepts in relation to the study of Antiracism, Diversity, and Inclusivity including antiracism, racism, race, ethnicity, discrimination, privilege, diversity, equity, inclusivity, and intersectionality,
analyze the role of race, racism, and antiracism in the United States,
describe intersections between race and ethnicity and other minoritized identities,
explain systematic and structural mechanisms that perpetuate both privilege and inequities,
compare and contrast their own core values, assumptions, and biases with those held by other individuals, cultures, or societies,
analyze the relationship between Black hairstyling practices and interrelated ideas of physical and mental health, identity, cultural dependency, and self-concept,
differentiate the roles of primary Black hairstyles (naturals, permed, braided, dreaded, weaves, extensions, Afros, twists, knots, etc.) used as socio-political spaces of resistance, empowerment, and oppression, and
synthesize the major theories and research on the socio-political effects of Black hair in schools, the workplace, relationships, and the law.

Learner Outcomes Approval Date:
11/17/23

Anticipated Course Offering Terms and Locations:
This course does not have an established scheduling pattern.