CSDE Model Curricula Quick Start GuideThe African American/Black and Puerto Rican/Latino Course of Studies is a one credit, year-long elective in which students will consider the scope of African American/Black and Puerto Rican/ Latino contributions to U.S. history, society, economy, and culture. It utilizes Connecticut’s Social Studies Framework themes and inquiry-based approach already familiar to social studies teachers to deliver a content rich and personalized learning experience.The course is an opportunity for students to explore accomplishments, struggles, intersections, perspectives, and collaborations of African American/Black and Puerto Rican/Latino people in the U.S. Students will examine how historical movements, legislation, and wars affected the citizenship rights of these groups and how they, both separately and together, worked to build U.S. cultural and economic wealth and create more just societies in local, national, and international contexts.Coursework will provide students with tools to identify historic and contemporary tensions around race and difference; map economic and racial disparities over time; strengthen their own identity development; and address bias in their communities. This course will contribute to the critical consciousness and civic-mindedness competencies of a twenty-first century graduate, and ultimately facilitate students’ interest in pursuing further ethnic, anthropology, or human rights studies in the future.

Semester 1: Unit 2 At-A-Glance: How African Americans Persisted: Slavery and Freedom Stories of Resistance and AgencyIn this unit, students will:• Analyze how Africans, African Americans, and their descendants have struggled to gain freedom, equality, and social justice.• Explore the ways in which slavery was embedded in legislation.• Investigate how multiple racial and cultural perspectives influence the interpretation of slavery.Compelling Question: How were some Africans from the global diaspora able to assert their agency to resist slavery; why were other Africans unable to do this?Pre-Assessment: Before beginning this unit, students complete a poll to survey understanding of local and global slavery that existed, the prevalence of slavery in Connecticut and the Caribbean, and the importance of slavery to the U.S. and local economies

In this unit, students will:● Explore the Latinos’ fight for independence against Spain● Explore the nationalist movements against dictatorial/non-democratic leaders in the 20th century● Analyze the power structures within the United States that influence oppressing the people and voices of the Latino world● Examine the arts as a form of resistance, strength, and communityCompelling question: With the diaspora in mind, how has the theme of resilience been illustrated in the past and present history of Latinos’ battle for equity?Pre-Assessment: Students popcorn-out what they already know about Latin American revolutions