An introduction to African American art and artists and their social contexts from early slavery to the present day. The course will examine the roots, main currents, forms, styles, content, aesthetics, and ideological dimensions of African American art. Also considered will be the advantages and disadvantages of framing African American art as a distinct category and the 'black experience' as a distinct type of background. An emphasis will placed on visual acuteness and identification, proper art historical terminology and concepts, and developing analytical writing skills.