Journey of developing and teaching the Sociology of Black and African Canadians at Mount Royal University


Amos Nkrumah, Mount Royal University

The introduction of Black/African Studies in Canadian post-secondary institutions reflects a growing recognition of the importance of the historical and contemporary issues related to the Black or African experience and the contributions of Black communities in Canada. The urgent call for the inclusion of Black Studies in Canadian universities and colleges is part of a broader global movement towards acknowledging and integrating diverse perspectives within academic curricula, which has been dominated by Anglo/Franco ideology and culture. The historical accounts about Blacks/Africans have, in many situations, been framed through a colonial lens, ignoring and downplaying the rich histories of Blacks/African civilizations. Furthermore, the history of the African diaspora, including the transatlantic slave trade, has, on numerous occasions, been oversimplified and inadequately represented, leading to a limited understanding of the complex impact on Black communities. Introducing and expanding Black and African studies in post-secondary institutions in Canada would help correct these anomalies. As scholars argued, Black/African studies strengthen knowledge about African history and foster a worldview that values community, the reality of African people, and an innovative interpretation of the modern issues confronting people of African origin in contemporary Canadian society (Dei, 1994; Ginwright, 2004; Asante, 2008). This presentation aims to recount a personal journey and lived experiences in developing a first course, “The Sociology of Black and African Canadians at Mount Royal University,” and teaching the course. The following areas would be covered – the process and development of the course/course outline, teaching the course, and engagement/interactions with students in and outside the classroom. I argue that the ultimate purpose of teaching Black/African studies is to rectify historical omissions and interrupted history about Blacks/Africans and provide a more comprehensive understanding of Blacks/Africans and their lived experiences.

This paper will be presented at the following session: