AP AFAM COURSE DESCRIPTION
AP African American Studies is equivalent to an introductory college-level African American Studies
course. Course Description: ®AP African American Studies (APAAS) is an interdisciplinary course that
examines the diversity of African American experiences through direct encounters with authentic and
varied sources. Students explore key topics that extend from early African kingdoms to the ongoing
challenges and achievements of the contemporary moment. Given the interdisciplinary character of
African American studies, students in the course will develop skills across multiple fields, with an
emphasis on developing historical, literary, visual, and data analysis skills. This course foregrounds a
study of the diversity of Black communities in the United States within the broader context of Africa and
the African diaspora. Students learn to critically analyze historical sources, make connections, and
construct well-supported arguments as they explore the major themes of the course, including identity,
culture, power, and resistance.
AP AFAM Course Objectives
This summer institute will provide participants with an overview of the AP African American Studies
program, course framework, and effective strategies to foster student engagement and deepen
understanding of the course material.
You Will
● Understand the AP African American Studies course framework
● Explore the key disciplines, strategies, and themes necessary to analyze significant ideas, historical
events, and processes shaping African American Studies.
● Develop strategies to incorporate primary sources, literature, and data sets into lesson planning.
● Use rubrics to evaluate Free Response Questions (FRQs) and document-based questions (DBQs).
● Develop strategies to support students in analyzing both primary and secondary sources from historical,
literary, and cultural contexts.
● Prepare to guide students in building research and argumentation skills through inquiry-based learning
and effective evidence use.
● Implement equity and access principles to create an inclusive classroom environment.
You Will Also Benefit From
● Creating a syllabus and pacing guide that integrates the course’s key concepts and themes.
● Exploring and selecting resources from AP Classroom and interdisciplinary materials, including
art, music, and literature
● Developing strategies to teach students how to construct arguments and write effectively for the
AP African American Studies exam
● Collaborating and designing impactful lessons aligned with the course framework and content
requirements.
● Gaining practical instructional strategies to foster meaningful student engagement and confidence
in mastering the material.
● Access to a comprehensive suite of resources to effectively manage and teach the course.
What should participants bring to the workshop?
A laptop or tablet is required to access the framework.
Extra space for sample textbooks.
APSI AP AFAM Agenda
Note – This agenda may be subject to change, based on the needs and preferences of the registered participants and possible changes to the Course and Exam Description from College Board. It will still meet the requirements of 30 contact hours and the guidelines of the APSI, regardless of any possible changes.
Day One
Understanding the Course Framework, Content, and Skills; Forming a Supportive and Collaborative Community
● Introductions and community building
● Equity and Access in AP
● AP African American Studies course overview
● Sample Unit 1 Lesson
● Course Framework overview
● Understanding Course Skills
● Course Framework deep dive
● Unit 1 Overview
● Reflections
Day Two
Exam Format, Sample Questions, and Resources
● AP Exam Content/Format: Multiple Choice and Free Response Question (FRQ) sections
● Sample Free Response Questions and scoring
● Unit 2 Overview and Resources
● Sample Unit 2 Lesson
● College Board Resources for teaching AP African American Studies
● Reflections/ Questions
Day Three
Course Project, Assessments, and Pacing
● Project overview and rubric
● Unit 3 Overview
● Sample Unit 3 Lesson
● Formative and Summative Assessment
● Best practices for planning your course
● Creating your course pacing guide
● Reflections/ Questions
Day Four
Lesson Planning and Collaboration
● Community Reflections
● Unit 4 Overview and Resources
● Sample Unit 4 Lesson
● Resource Sharing
● Create a Unit lesson
● Course and pacing planning work
● Closing remarks and reflections
