South African Apartheid

Between 1948 and 1994, South Africans lived under a racist system of laws called apartheid, the Afrikaans word for “apart-ness” or “the state of being apart,” similar to racial segregation in the United States.

In this 6-week class we will study the history of apartheid, the long but ultimately successful struggle against it, and South Africa’s “Truth and Reconciliation” trials, which were an innovative process of fostering accountability in the wake of human and civil rights abuses.

Prerequisites: Students should be familiar with the history of European colonialism in Africa, and with legalized racial segregation in the United States 1896-1954.

Instructor: Laura Fokkena

DETAILS:

Suggested age range: 13+

Outside work: Main text is Born a Crime by Trevor Noah. Read/watch other media as assigned.

When & where: Tuesdays on Zoom from 12:30-1:30 Eastern Time, Feb. 1 - Mar. 8, 2022.

Fee: $100; this includes a non-refundable registration fee of $10. Students must purchase or borrow their own copies of Born a Crime; the audio version is recommended. There will also be some movies or documentaries to rent for a small fee (usually $2-3). Payment plans available. Fees waived for families with financial need. (Waivers and payment plan information.) Questions about how classes work? Read our course FAQ.

Photo credit: Laura Fokkena