2007-08 - Pitzer College

78 BLACK STUDIES
Interdisciplinary
10BK. Introduction to Black Studies. This course provides a broad introduction to the
field of African Studies (also known as Black Studies, Pan-African Studies, African
American Studies, etc.). It does so by organizing the material chronologically (beginning
in ancient African history) and seeks a “trans-disciplinary” approach in the presentation.
Within each historical epoch, contributions from literature, the arts, philosophy, social
science, and other disciplines are incorporated. Our objective is to demonstrate the
breadth and depth of Africana Studies and to provide the historical underpinnings of the
field so that we can understand its past and chart a direction for its future. Fall, D. Basu.
Political Studies
125. African Politics. The focus of this course will be democracy in Africa. More
specifically, it will involve an examination of the struggles over the forms democracy
takes, a review of democracy’s internal and external advocates, a study of the relationship
between democracy and development, and an analysis of the factors which led to the
adoptions, and demise, of forms of democracy in a variety of African countries.
D. McHenry. [not offered 2007-08]
Psychology
12BK. Introduction to African American Psychology. Includes perspectives, education,
community, life-span development, gender, and related issues. Emphasizes the critical
examination of current research and theory. Students are expected to contribute orally
and in writing. Prerequisite: Psych 10 or permission of instructor. H. Fairchild.
[not offered 2007-08]
75BK. African American Mental Health. Introduces students to selected topics involving
the mental health of African Americans. Examines issues in the definition and the
assessment of mental health and addresses special topics such as spirituality, stress and
hypertension, delivery of mental health services, and controversies in the psychoanalytic
literature. Examines empirical, theoretical, and therapeutic approaches to African
American mental health. Fall, M. Holmes. (Pomona)
188BK. Seminar in African American Psychology. Critically examines contemporary
literature in African American Psychology. Emphasizes the ideas of leading theorists (e.g.,
Naim Akbar, Wade Nobles, Linda Myers) and the research literature on contemporary
problems (e.g., teen pregnancy, gangs). Prerequisites: Psychology 10 or 12 (or permission
of instructor). Fall, H. Fairchild.
194. Seminar in Social Psychology. (See Psychology 194) H. Fairchild. [not offered 2007-08]
Religious Studies
BLACK STUDIES
142BK. The Problem of Evil: African-American Engagements With(in) Western
Thought. This course thematically explores some of the many ways African Americans,
in particular, have encountered and responded to evils both as a part from the broader
Western tradition. We will see how the African-American encounter with evil troubles the
distinction often made between natural and moral evil and highlights the tensions
between theodicies and ethical concerns. Fall, D. Smith (Pomona).
Sociology
71. Sociology of Popular Music. (See Sociology 71) Fall, D. Basu.
124. Race, Place, and Space. (See Sociology 124) Fall, D. Basu.
134. Urban Life in L.A. (See Sociology 134) D. Basu. [not offered 2007-08]
142. Transatlantic Black and South Asian Experiences. (See Sociology 142)
Spring, D. Basu.
Courses for Majors
191BK. Senior Thesis. An independent research and writing project culminating in a
substantial, original work. Directed by one faculty member chosen by the student. Each
thesis is also read by one additional reader. Offered each semester, Staff.
192BK. Senior Project. An independent reading, research, and participatory exercise on a
topic agreed to by the student and the adviser. Normally, the project involves a set of
short papers and/or culminates in a research paper of substantial length based upon
participation in a project or program. Offered each semester, Staff.
193BK. Senior Comprehensive Examination. Taken during the senior year, the
comprehensive examination consists of two field examinations that test the depth of the
student’s understanding of Black Studies. The student chooses two fields in Black Studies
(e.g., history and literature) in which to be examined. Offered each semester, Staff.
199BK. Independent Study: Reading and Research. Permission of instructor is required.
Course or half-course credit. May be repeated. Offered each semester, Staff.
79