This course will examine the role of political violence in the form of riots, rebellions, and revolutions in the black Atlantic world. Together, we grapple with black liberation in the face of chattel slavery and white supremacy. We will spend considerable time examining the unfinished work of the American Revolution, the success of the Haitian Revolution, and the failed rebellions of the French Antilles. From there, we will examine how equality is obtained in post-emancipation societies. This course asks: What is a revolution? What makes revolutions revolutionary? What does failure mean? Is progressive change possible without the tools of war? In the last part of the course, we will focus on some recent and contemporary events that involve political violence and carry the potential to turn into a revolutionary process. In sum, this course reckons with the inseparable ideas of race, violence, and political power.

Units: 1

Max Enrollment: 15

Prerequisites: One 200-level course of relevance to Africana Studies or permission of the instructor.

Instructor: Carter-Jackson

Distribution Requirements: HS - Historical Studies

Typical Periods Offered: Every other year; Spring

Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Not Offered

Notes: