US History and Civil Rights

This course analyses common American beliefs about race and how they were applied, both legally and informally, to various groups in American History. Special attention is given to African Americans and their quest for Civil Rights. Firstly, the course will focus on the history of cultural beliefs about race in the United States and how they were applied to certain groups such as African Americans, Native Americans, Asians, and Immigrants. Secondly, it will explore the specific histories of each of these groups, including the destruction of Native American civilization, Slavery, and the anti-Immigration movement. Thirdly, it will focus specifically on the leading role of African Americans in challenging racial assumptions through their struggle for freedom, civil rights, and social equality.