MCCCD Program Description

Cultural Perspectives: African Ideas and Values

Course: HUM105AA

First Term: 1993 Fall

Lecture 1 Credit(s) 1 Period(s) 1 Load
Subject Type: Academic
Load Formula: S

Description: An interdisciplinary examination of the history, arts, ideas, and values of African peoples and their contribution to life in the United States

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Describe the art, literature, and music of the culture as ways of seeing that are inherent in that culture. (I) 2. Examine artistic expressions critically and describe how these are either unique to the culture or relate to European and American aesthetic values. (I, V) 3. Trace the effects of myths, legends, and religion on social and artistic development and values of the culture. (II) 4. Compare and contrast values and systems of knowledge of the culture with those of European and American cultures. (II) 5. Identify the historical forces that shaped the culture and trace connections to comtemporary cultures. (III) 6. Identify environmental factors of climate, geographic location, and topography and describe their effect on cultural, social, political, and economic development of the culture. (III) 7. Describe the culture`s social systems, traditional and evolving, as they contrast with or augment social systems in the United States. (IV) 8. Describe immediate contributions to life in the United States of the culture, based on attendance at functions specific to the culture. (V) 9. Describe the position and concerns of the culture in the modern world, including political and economic positions, needs, and strengths. (VI)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Aesthetic expression - ways of seeing A. Art 1. The visual elements 2. Art as language 3. Art as artifact 4. Art as ritual 5. Art as world view B. Language and literature 1. The oral tradition 2. Written works (where applicable) 3. Themes 4. Metaphors as keys to understanding 5. Stereotypes and the struggle to surmount them 6. Heroes and villains C. Music and dance 1. As communication 2. As means of expression 3. As forms of ritual 4. Instruments used 5. Tonal scales II. Moral and religious values - ways of knowing A. Mythology 1. Creation myths 2. Elemental images 3. The spirit world B. Ontological views 1. The here and the hereafter 2. Unique beliefs 3. Cross-cultural beliefs III. The shaping forces A. History as impact 1. Early times 2. The middle period 3. National development 4. Industrialization (where applicable) 5. Toward comtemporary times B. Environment as impact 1. Location 2. Topography 3. Climate 4. Natural resources IV. Human issues A. Social systems - early 1. Nuclear family 2. Extended family B. Social systems - evolving 1. Nuclear family 2. Extended family C. One among many - the individual 1. As an individual 2. As a family member 3. As a citizen D. Religion as a social force (where applicable) V. Contributions to American life A. Political 1. Regional 2. National B. Social C. Economic (where applicable) D. Scientific (where applicable) E. Artistic 1. Visual arts 2. Music and dance 3. Literature and drama F. Religious (where applicable) VI. The culture in today`s world A. Political position 1. Globally 2. In the United States B. Economic position 1. Globally 2. In the United States C. Needs D. Strengths

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: 5/26/1992

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.