Content Analysis of African History Before 1492 CE in World and Black History State Standards

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Saturday 9:45 am
  In Roundtable Session: Past and future of (material not just symbolic) decoloniality in curriculum

Abstract

Ethnographic content analysis was conducted to determine the ways African history is included in world history and Black history standards prior to 1492 CE in all 50 states. Analysis here considers content frequency, code contributions, code occurrences, and themes. Findings show content streams, and three main themes: a culpable lack of specificity, ethereal master narrative language: encounters & diffussion, and the othering of ancient African slavery. Findings have implications for teaching world history including ancient non-European cultures and their contributions to civilization; highlighting Africa and Asia during the European dark ages; and telling the truth about historical European intentions for non-Europeans and their lands. Also implications here for teaching the timeline for Black history to begin prior to Transatlantic slavery.

Author

• Clarence Ball, Fordham University