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The Black Woman

SOC 306 seeks to provide a sociological understanding of the everyday experiences of African American women in the United States. We examine the multiple and intersecting social structures (including racial, gender and class hierarchies) that constrains and constructs Black women’s social location and shape their life chance and life experiences in the African-American community and dominant society.  

Students in SOC 306 read fiction and non-fiction titles, exploring stories relating to the experience of black women.  They engaged in critical thinking to better understand sociological themes and how they tie into real or fictional life experiences.  Students used visual literacy and information literacy skills to create persuasive book talks in order to communicate the meaning of their stories and the connections to sociological thinking to a larger audience.

Recently, SOC 306 Professor Tiffany Gayle Chenault provided her own story at TEDxSalemState University.  Here is that talk: