AAS:Hist 628: History of the Civil Rights Movement

This course focuses on the post-World War II civil rights movement led by African Americans in the United States. It acquaints upper-level undergraduate and graduate students with the events and issues of civil rights activism. The historical background to movement emergence, including industrial and demographic transition, agricultural change in the South, the rise of the liberal coalition, the impact of World War II and the Cold War on race relations are treated. The course examines civil rights jurisprudence in the 1930s-1950s and the key events and issues of civil rights' long era of insurgency.

Black radicalism is explored, as well as civil rights in the urban North, the policies of the federal government, the impact of world affairs, and the role of gender. The course probes the fight against racial discrimination as African American insurgency evolved in the 1970s into Black Power. The activities and life stories of individual participants as well as broad historical forces are considered. The reading load normally consists of five books, or four books and a photocopied reader. There are two examinations and written assignments.