You’ll be able to find links to readings and other class resources here. Please check back as we’ll be posting new things that we mention in class as well as event sign ups.
African American Education in Alabama
Course description: This eight week course will introduce students to the historic struggle for equal education in Alabama. From early attempts at self-education by enslaved people, to the establishment of institutes of higher education or elementary education, we’ll hear from a host of expert teachers each week. The class will culminate with a field trip to tour historic African American schools and hear about efforts to preserve them
Schedule
September 14: Overview (Keith Hebert and Elijah Gaddis)
September 21:“THEY KNOW TOO MUCH ALREADY:” BLACK EDUCATION IN POST-EMANCIPATION ERA COLUMBUS, GA, 1866-1876
Will Thomas, doctoral student, Auburn University Department of History
September 28: The origins of higher education for Alabama African Americans: Selma University
Dr. Stanford Angion, President, Selma University
New use for Craig Field in Selma
October 5: The Origins of the Rosenwald Movement
Gorham Bird, Assistant Professor of Architecture, Auburn University
October 12: The Equalization Movement
Dr. Keith Hebert, Draughon Associate Professor of Southern History, Auburn University
October 19: Desegregating higher education: the example of Auburn
Dr. Martin T. Ollif, Professor of History, Troy University
Suggested reading, Keith Hebert, “Harold Franklin” Encyclopedia of Alabama
October 26: Panel on desegregating primary education
November 2: Field trip
9:00 meet at Boykin Community Center to load onto bus (400 Boykin Street, Auburn, AL)
10:00 tour of Shiloh Rosenwald School ( 7 Shiloh Rd, Notasulga, AL 36866)
12:00 Lunch at North Highland Community Park, Prattville, AL
1:30 Tour of North Highland High School (Prattville Jr High) 1089 Martin Luther King Dr, Prattville, AL 36067
3:30 return to Boykin Community Center
Readings
Keith Hebert and Hilary Green, Historic Resource Study of African American Schools in the South, 1865-1900
Mary Ames, A New England Woman’s Diary in Dixie in 1865
