AP African American Studies (Sem 1)
Course Description:
This course is the first semester of a two-semester sequence and is aligned to the Advanced Placement curriculum for AP African American Studies. AP African American Studies is an interdisciplinary course that examines the diversity of African American experiences through direct encounters with varied sources. Students explore key topics that extend from early African kingdoms to the ongoing challenges and achievements of the contemporary moment. Given the interdisciplinary character of African American Studies, students in the course will develop skills across multiple fields, with an emphasis on developing historical, literary, visual, and data analysis skills. This course foregrounds a study of the diversity of Black communities in the United States within the broader context of Africa and the African diaspora. The course does not include the AP Exam; students can contact their school’s AP Coordinator or the College Board to sign up to take the Exam. In order to maintain the integrity of AP standards, all AP course midterm and final exams must be proctored.
Course Details:
| Course Title (District): | AP African American Studies (Sem 1) | ||||||||||
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| Course Title (NCES SCED) : | AP African American Studies | ||||||||||
| Course Provider : | Michigan Virtual | ||||||||||
| Content Provided By : | Michigan Virtual | ||||||||||
| Online Instructor Provided By : | Michigan Virtual | ||||||||||
| Standards Addressed : | National Collegiate Athletic Association, CollegeBoard | ||||||||||
| Alignment Document : | https://learn.michiganvirtual.org/alignment-document-coming-soon | ||||||||||
| Academic Terms : | Semester | ||||||||||
| NCES SCED Code : 04112 |
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How To Enroll:
| Enrollment Website : | https://slp.michiganvirtual.org/ |
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| Email : | [email protected] |
| Phone : | (888) 889-2840 |
Students and Parents: It is important to work closely with your local school counselor or registrar to follow the school's enrollment procedures. By clicking the "Start Registration Request" button below, you will be able to notify the school of your interest in registering for the online course. However, it is the responsibility of the district or school to review the registration request and approve or deny the request. Please make a note to follow up with your school after submitting a registration request.
Additional Course Information:
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: (888) 889-2840
- CO1: Evaluate key concepts, historical events, and processes through multiple disciplinary perspectives to deepen understanding of Black experiences and scholarly debates in African American Studies
- CO2: Identify the intersections of race, gender, and class, as well as connections between Black communities, in the United States and the broader African diaspora in the past and present
- CO3: Analyze perspectives in texts, data, and visual sources to develop well-supported arguments applied to real-world problems
- CO4: Analyze the diversity, strength, and complexity of African societies and their global connections before the emergence of transatlantic slavery using primary and secondary sources
- CO5: Evaluate the political, historical, aesthetic, and transnational contexts of major social movements, including their past, present, and future implications
- CO6: Analyze and evaluate the various strategies African American communities have employed to authentically represent themselves, promote advancement, and combat the effects of inequality and systemic marginalization both locally and globally, as demonstrated through written analyses, case studies, and multimedia presentations
- CO7: Identify major themes that inform literary and artistic traditions of the African diaspora
- CO8: Describe the formalization of African American Studies and new directions in the field as part of ongoing efforts to articulate Black experiences and perspectives and create a more just and inclusive future
- CO9: Apply course concepts to analyze current events and local issues, and develop research proposals or projects that identify areas for future study related to African American experiences and contributions
Additional Cost Description:
Required Textbook: Deborah Gray White; Mia Bay; Waldo E. Martin, Jr., Freedom on My Mind, 3rd Edition 2021 Macmillan Higher Education. For purchasing options, visit Freedom on My Mind, 3rd Edition | Macmillan Learning US.
Course enrollment does not include the AP Exam fees. Students may be responsible for their AP exam fees when registering for the exam with their local school's AP coordinator.
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to...
NSQ National Standards for Quality Online Courses: Third Edition (2019)
| Rating | Comments | |
|---|---|---|
| A1. A course overview and syllabus are included in the online course | Pilot: Review Pending | |
| A2. Minimum computer skills and digital literacy skills expected of the learner are clearly stated.* | Pilot: Review Pending | |
| A3. The instructor’s biographical information and information on how to communicate with the instructor are provided to learners and other stakeholders. | Pilot: Review Pending | |
| A4. Learner expectations and policies are clearly stated and readily accessible within the introductory material of the course. | Pilot: Review Pending | |
| A5. Minimum technology requirements for the course are clearly stated, and information on how to obtain the technologies is provided.* | Pilot: Review Pending | |
| A6. Grading policies and practices are clearly defined in accordance with course content learning expectations. | Pilot: Review Pending | |
| A7. The online course provides a clear description or link to the technical support offered and how to obtain it.* | Pilot: Review Pending | |
| A8. Learners are offered an orientation prior to the start of the online course. | Pilot: Review Pending |
| Rating | Comments | |
|---|---|---|
| B1. The online course objectives or competencies are measurable and clearly state what the learner will be able to demonstrate as a result of successfully completing the course.* | Pilot: Review Pending | |
| B2. The online course expectations are consistent with course-level objectives or competencies, are representative of the structure of the course, and are clearly stated. | Pilot: Review Pending | |
| B3. The online course content is aligned with accepted state and/or other accepted content standards, where applicable.* | Pilot: Review Pending | |
| B4. Digital literacy and communication skills are incorporated and taught as an integral part of the curriculum.* | Pilot: Review Pending | |
| B5. Supplemental learning resources and related instructional materials are available to support and enrich learning and are aligned to the specific content being delivered.* | Pilot: Review Pending | |
| B6. The online course content and supporting materials reflect a culturally diverse perspective that is free of bias.* | Pilot: Review Pending | |
| B7. The online course materials (e.g., textbooks, primary source documents, OER) that support course content standards are accurate and current. | Pilot: Review Pending | |
| B8. The online course is free of adult content and avoids unnecessary advertisements.* | Pilot: Review Pending | |
| B9. Copyright and licensing status for any third-party content is appropriately cited and easily found. | Pilot: Review Pending | |
| B10. Documentation and other support materials are available to support effective online course facilitation.* | Pilot: Review Pending |
| Rating | Comments | |
|---|---|---|
| C1. The online course design includes activities that guide learners toward promoting ownership of their learning and self-monitoring. | Pilot: Review Pending | |
| C2. The online course’s content and learning activities promote the achievement of the stated learning objectives or competencies. | Pilot: Review Pending | |
| C3. The online course is organized by units and lessons that fall into a logical sequence. | Pilot: Review Pending | |
| C4. The online course content is appropriate to the reading level of the intended learners.* | Pilot: Review Pending | |
| C5. The online course design includes introductory assignments or activities to engage learners within the first week of the course. | Pilot: Review Pending | |
| C6. The online course provides learners with multiple learning paths as appropriate, based on learner needs, that engage learners in a variety of ways. | Pilot: Review Pending | |
| C7. The online course provides regular opportunities for learner-learner interaction. | Pilot: Review Pending | |
| C8. The online course design provides opportunities for learner-instructor interaction, including opportunities for regular feedback about learner progress.* | Pilot: Review Pending | |
| C9. Online course instructional materials and resources present content in an effective, engaging, and appropriate manner.* | Pilot: Review Pending |
| Rating | Comments | |
|---|---|---|
| D1. Learner assessments are linked to stated course, unit, or lesson-level objectives or competencies. | Pilot: Review Pending | |
| D2. Valid course assessments measure learner progress toward mastery of content. | Pilot: Review Pending | |
| D3. Assessment practices provide routine and varied opportunities for self-monitoring and reflection of learning.* | Pilot: Review Pending | |
| D4. Assessment materials provide the learner with the flexibility to demonstrate mastery in a variety of ways.* | Pilot: Review Pending | |
| D5. Rubrics that clearly define expectations for varied levels of proficiency are created and shared with learners.* | Pilot: Review Pending |
| Rating | Comments | |
|---|---|---|
| E1. Online course navigation is logical, consistent, and efficient from the learner’s point of view.* | Pilot: Review Pending | |
| E2. The online course design facilitates readability.* | Pilot: Review Pending | |
| E3. The online course provides accessible course materials and activities to meet the needs of diverse learners.* | Pilot: Review Pending | |
| E4. Course multimedia facilitate ease of use.* | Pilot: Review Pending | |
| E5. Vendor accessibility statements are provided for all technologies required in the course.* | Pilot: Review Pending |
| Rating | Comments | |
|---|---|---|
| F1. Educational tools ensure learner privacy and maintain confidentiality of learner information in accordance with local, state, and national laws for learner data. | Pilot: Review Pending | |
| F2. The online course tools support the learning objectives or competencies.* | Pilot: Review Pending | |
| F3. The online course provides options for the instructor to adapt learning activities to accommodate learners’ needs and preferences.* | Pilot: Review Pending | |
| F4. The course allows instructors to control the release of content.* | Pilot: Review Pending | |
| F5. The course provides the necessary technical functionality to score and record assessments and calculate earned course points or grades.* | Pilot: Review Pending |
| Rating | Comments | |
|---|---|---|
| G1. The online course uses multiple methods and sources of input for assessing course effectiveness. | Pilot: Review Pending | |
| G2. The online course is reviewed to ensure that the course is current. | Pilot: Review Pending | |
| G3. The online course is updated on a continuous improvement cycle for effectiveness based on the findings from ongoing reviews. | Pilot: Review Pending |
Review Conducted By: Quality Matters
Date of Review:
12/31/2025
Unit 1: Origins of the African Diaspora
Unit 2: Enslavement
Unit 3: Resistance & Freedom
Unit 4: The Practice of Freedom - Reconstruction and Jim Crow (1865-1919)
| Term Type | Enrollment Opens | Enrollment Ends | Random Draw Date | Enrollment Drop Date | Course Starts | Course Ends | # of Seats | Course Fee | Potential Additional Costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester | 04/01/2025 | 09/19/2025 | 07/01/2025 | 09/12/2025 | 08/29/2025 | 01/16/2026 | 100 | $440 |
| Drop Policy | Completion Policy | Term Type | Enrollment Opens | Enrollment Ends |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. | Michigan Virtual has established that enrollments earning 60% or more of the total course points are considered a course completion. | Semester | 04/01/2025 | 09/19/2025 |
Students will require a computer device with headphones, a microphone, webcam, up-to-date Chrome Web Browser, and access to YouTube.
Students must also have an AP account with access to their online instructor’s AP Classroom activities and resources.
Ensure that your school or district network and device administrator whitelists online resources relevant to the course in which you are choosing to enroll. Ref., Michigan Virtual Course Whitelist
Please review the Michigan Virtual Technology Requirements: https://michiganvirtual.org/about/support/knowledge-base/technical-requirements/