The Black Effect: Examining Race and Power in Society

This course is designed to provide students with a critical examination of the historical and contemporary role of race in shaping power structures and social dynamics in society. Students will explore the concept of the "Black Effect," or the influence that Black people have had on American society and culture.

Through readings, discussions, and multimedia resources, students will gain an understanding of the social, political, and economic forces that have shaped the Black experience in America, as well as the ways in which Black people have challenged and reshaped those forces. The course will focus on the intersections of race, class, gender, sexuality, and other identity categories, and how they impact power dynamics and social change.

Topics covered in this course may include:

• The history of Black resistance and social movements
• The impact of systemic racism on Black communities
• The role of Black leadership in social and political change
• The impact of media and popular culture on perceptions of Blackness
• The complexities of allyship and coalition building across differences
• The importance of self-care and community building for Black individuals and communities

By the end of the course, students will have developed a critical lens through which to examine issues of race, power, and social change. They will have gained an understanding of the ways in which Black people have been agents of change throughout history, as well as the continued struggle for racial justice and equity in contemporary society.