AP African American History – Challenge and Change in Society

Introducing Canada’s first AP® African American Studies course! This groundbreaking, interdisciplinary course covers history, literature, the arts, and more, from early African kingdoms to contemporary achievements. Students will develop diverse analytical skills and gain a comprehensive understanding of African American contributions and experiences. Don’t miss this unique educational opportunity!

Course Overview: This course focuses on the use of social science theories, perspectives, and methodologies to investigate and explain shifts in knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviour and
their impact on society. Students will critically analyse how and why cultural, social, and behavioural patterns change over time. They will explore the ideas of social theorists and use those ideas to analyse causes of and responses to challenges such as technological change, deviance, and global inequalities. Students will explore ways in which social science research methods can be used to study social change.

At Uchenna Academy, the course has a unique focus to explore the vital contributions and experiences of African Americans. In this course, students explore key topics that extend from early African kingdoms to the ongoing challenges and achievements of the contemporary moment. Given the interdisciplinary character of African American Studies, students in the course will develop skills across multiple fields, with an emphasis on developing historical, literary, visual and data
analysis skills. This course foregrounds a study of the diversity of Black communities in the United States within the broader context of Africa and the African diaspora. The course provides students with a strong foundation in facts and evidence about African American history and culture, offering an immersive survey course that is not currently available in most American high schools.

Prerequisite: Any university or university/college preparation course in social sciences
and humanities, English, or Canadian and world studies

Course Code: HSB4U

Grade: 12

Type: Academic, University Preparation, AP (score above 3 earns a University Credit)

Course Units: 

• Unit 1: Research and Inquiry Methods – 10-16 hrs
• Unit 2: Origins of the African Diaspora (~900 BCE–16th century) – 20-25 hrs
• Unit 3: Freedom, Enslavement, and Resistance (16th century–1865) – 20-25 hrs
• Unit 4: The Practice of Freedom (1865–1940s) – 20-25 hrs
• Unit 5: Movements and Debates (1940s–2000s) – 40-50 hrs
  • Social Changes and Developments
  • Demographics, Identity and Social Influence
  • Human Rights and Global Challenges