AFR 208 - Juneteenth (4 Cr.)

(GCR RPP)
On June 19, 1865, about two years after the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect, Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas to let the last of those in former Confederate states know that the Civil War had ended. By General Order 3, more than 250,000 Black people were now free. This course explores the power of the Emancipation Proclamation in Confederate Territory, thinking through the symbolism of Abraham Lincoln while challenging the narrative of the “Great Emancipator”. Students will have a chance to examine southern history against the backdrop of the American slavery-to-freedom story, understanding how place and memory worked together to create a national liberation story. Students will also examine the social, cultural and legal circumstances that led to its 2021 national holiday status. Furthermore, as a jubilee, students will learn of the cultural and historical significance of culinary traditions and musical expression that populate the event. Prerequisite:
Prerequisite: Recommended but not required - 12 college credits or permission of the instructor. Alternating years.