American Studies 313 - Black Feminist Health Science Studies & the African Diaspora

(Offered as BLST 410 [D], AMST 313, SWAG 409) This research tutorial will explore a diverse archive of contemporary and historical texts that foregrounds Black feminist health science studies (BFHSS) which focuses on a social justice science that understands the health and well-being of marginalized groups to be its central purpose. This course enables students to contribute to the robust interdisciplinary and transnational research agenda of the Black Feminist Reproductive Justice, Equity, and HIV/AIDS Activism (BREHA) Lab that bridges the medical humanities, social sciences, and hard sciences. In this shared research project, students will be able to more clearly define new modes of inquiries on racism, gender, class, sexuality, and health that engage intersecting arenas of scholarship and activism, including the medicalization of race, feminist health studies, reproductive justice, and disability studies. To this end, we explore several questions: What is a black feminist approach to health among Afro-diasporic peoples and communities? What are the key terms, methodologies, theoretical frameworks, and political stakes associated with a BFHSS field? How can BFHSS expand our collective research inquiries on wellness, inequality, and society? Finally, how can this field contribute to broader efforts for social justice concerning the health, wellness, and longevity of the most vulnerable communities?

Open to sophomores and juniors. Limited to 6 students.  Spring Semester. Professor Jolly.

How to handle overenrollment: Interview or survey

Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: Collaborative study, emphasis on written work, critical reflections, qualitative work, group-based discussions, cultural analysis, ethnographic analysis, critical engagements with linkages in various fields; open engagements with difference, identity, and nuanced interrogations of the inner-workings of power, independent research, oral presentations, seminar discussions.