Reflecting on The African American Experience
Assignment Overview:
This assignment assesses your understanding and engagement with the content presented in the Canvas modules. There are three modules in total, and for each module, you will introduce a new concept you learned and elaborate on how the material specifically relates to you. This assignment is not about summarizing the content but demonstrating a deep understanding and personal connection to the topics discussed in the videos.
To guide your responses, make use of the notes, outlines, and reflections you completed throughout the winter session. These materials will help you organize your thoughts, recall key concepts, and connect them to your personal experiences and aspirations.
You have two options for completing this assignment:
1. Written Essay: A 3-5 page paper following the structure below.
or
2. Audio/Visual Presentation: A 5-10 minute presentation in one of the following formats:
-
- PowerPoint with voice-over narration
- Video reflection
- Podcast-style presentation
Assignment Guidelines
Option 1: Written Essay
- Introduction (Page 1):
- Briefly introduce yourself.
- Explain what you knew about Black history before taking this course.
- Detail what you expected to learn or gain from the course.
- Module 1: Reconstruction (Page 2):
- Introduce a key concept from the first module.
- Discuss how this concept relates to your personal experiences or aspirations.
- Provide specific examples from the videos to support your reflections.
- Module 2: The Nadir of Race Relations & The New Negro Movement (Page 3):
- Introduce a new concept from the second module.
- Explain how this concept resonates with your academic or professional goals.
- Incorporate examples from the videos to illustrate your understanding.
- Module 3: The Civil Rights Movement & The Black Power Movement (Page 4):
- Introduce another concept from the third module.
- Discuss the practical implications of this concept in your life or future career.
- Include specific instances or quotes from the videos to enhance your analysis.
- Conclusion (Page 5):
- Summarize the key concepts discussed in each module.
- Reflect on the overall impact of this class on your understanding and perspective.
- Conclude by highlighting any changes in your thinking or newfound insights.
Option 2: Audio/Visual Presentation
For the audio/visual option, you will create a 5-10 minute presentation that reflects on the key concepts from each module and connects them to your personal experiences, aspirations, or career goals. Your presentation should have a clear structure with an introduction, a section for each module, and a conclusion. Choose one of the following formats:
- PowerPoint with Voice-Over:
- Create a PowerPoint presentation with at least 5 slides (1 introduction 1 per module and 1 conclusion)
- Record voice-over narration for each slide, explaining the concepts, their relevance, and your personal reflections.
- Total length: 5-10 minutes.
- Video Reflection:
- Record a video where you discuss the key concepts from each module.
- Include how these concepts relate to your personal experiences, aspirations, or career goals.
- Total length: 5-10 minutes.
- Podcast-Style Presentation:
- Record an audio-only presentation in a conversational, podcast-like format.
- Discuss the key concepts from each module and their relevance to your life and goals.
- Total length: 5-10 minutes.
Submission Details
- Due Date: [Insert due date here]
- Format: Submit your essay as a Word or PDF file or upload your audio/visual presentation to Canvas.
- Grading Criteria: Engagement with module content, depth of personal reflection, clarity of examples, and adherence to format requirements.
Feel free to select the format that best suits your learning style and strengths. This assignment is an opportunity to not only demonstrate what you’ve learned but also connect the course material to your personal and professional journey.