Recognizing Juneteenth: 5 CAS Courses to Take This Fall

Today is Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the abolishment of slavery in the United States. The day memorializes the events of June 19, 1865, in which Major General Gordan Granger of the Union Army announced the emancipation of slaves in Texas, freeing the final remaining enslaved African Americans in the Confederacy.

Learning about the history of the United States, particularly the history of African Americans, is a complicated and often times emotionally harrowing process. We’ve all heard the phrase “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it,” and that has never been more relevant than at this moment in our country’s history. Gaining a well-rounded education prepares you to be a responsible and effective citizen—someone who can make positive changes in their community.

Here are five courses offered this fall from the College of Arts & Sciences at UM-Flint to help you learn more about the past, present, and future of the United States.

History of African Americans to 1877

*The course instructor, Guluma Gemeda, conducting a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony.*

This course explores the African American experience from African origins to 1877. Among the topics covered are survival strategies of the enslaved and free, struggles for freedom, the role of African Americans in the Civil war and in reconstruction.

Course Prefix: AFA/HIS 335
Instructor: Guluma Gemeda
Social Science General Education Distribution Credit
Format: Online Asynchronous

Origins of Modern Racism

Explore the moral, social, and legal practices used to justify the colonization, enslavement, and denial of equality to members of racial minorities.

Course Prefix: PHL/AFA 203
Instructor: Jami Anderson
Global Studies General Education Distribution Credit; US Diversity Credit
Format: Online Asynchronous

United States to 1865

*The course instructor, Thomas Henthorn (left), is highly engaged with Flint’s history. Here he is pictured dedicating a historic marker in Flint’s Civic Park neighborhood.*

Gain a solid understanding of the history of the US from its foundation to the end of the Civil War. The course instructor, Thomas Henthorn, is leading a Ride the “Red Line” Bike Tour in Flint on June 30. Sign up for the tour to learn more about Flint’s historical redlining/housing segregation.

Course Prefix: HIS 120
Instructor: Thomas Henthorn
Social Science General Education Distribution Credit
Format: Online Asynchronous

Race & Ethnic Relations

Analyze the implications of racial differences, structural aspects of group conflicts, and the possibility of change in America with this course.

Course Prefix: SOC/AFA 270
Instructor: Sasha Drummond-Lewis
Social Science General Education Distribution Credit; US Diversity Credit
Format: Online Asynchronous

Corrections: A Critical Perspective

*Shelley Spivack co-founded* *Youth Arts: Unlocked, a non-profit dedicated to providing a creative outlet for justice-involved youth.*

Taught by Genesee County Family Court Attorney/Referee Shelley Spivack, this course pays special attention to how political, economic, religious and technological forces disproportionately impact minority groups and the poor in the correctional system.

Course Prefix: CRJ 388
Instructor: Shelley Spivack
Format: Online Synchronous

If you’re a current UM-Flint CAS student, contact your academic advisor to discuss how you can best incorporate these courses into your degree plan. And if you’re not yet a UM-Flint student, applications are still being accepted for Fall 2020!