African American Studies (AAS)

Politics, Policy and Drugs in the African American Community
Project Description: Three interrelated research projects are being conducted: 1) the history and politics of drugs in Black America 2) an expanded model of the problem of maternal substance abuse, and 3) the effects of social policy on grandparents raising their cocaine-exposed grandchildren.
Student Roles/Responsibilities: Students will be expected to develop a working knowledge of the incidence and prevalence of addiction, the effects of abuse, and U.S. drug policy as it relates to Black America. Students are expected to participate in general research tasks including data collection and theory development, and will be responsible for developing and conducting a related culminating project.
Minimum Qualifications: Students must have an interest in the general topic as well as good library research and computer skills. Students must have completed AAS 112 and at least one advanced course in the Social Sciences track of African American Studies.
Sponsor:  Professor Rae Banks, 201 Sims Hall; x4302;  e-mail: rabanks @syr.edu


African American Literature Before the Civil War
Project Description: Many African Americans produced poetry, stories, novels, drama, and autobiographies before the Civil War. Emphasis will be placed on slave narratives as well as the works of writers such as W.W. Brown, Frank Webb, Frances Harper, Martin Delaney, Harriet Wilson, and David Walker.
Student Roles/Responsibilities: The students will select either a certain literary genre or a specific author or time period. The students will research the topic of their choice, discuss their findings with me, and write papers on their findings.
Minimum Qualifications: Students must have taken AAS 231 and passed with a "B" or better.
Sponsor:  Professor Rennie Simson, 200 Sims Hall; x4302

Updated 2/17/2003
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