Thursday, November 21, 2024

submitted by devries@augsburg.edu

HIS 440: Black Migrations to the United States
Spring 2024

Tuesday / Thursday 9:40 11:20AM (on campus)
Taught by Prof. Ibrahim Hirsi

An estimated 48 million people in the United States identify as Black. Their migrations—forced and voluntary—began in 1619 and continue to the present day. They came from Africa, Europe, the Caribbean, and South and Central America. Many are descendants of enslaved people; others have emerged from places like Somalia and Ethiopia and Ghana and Jamaica. This course provides an overview of the journeys and experiences of African Americans and Black migrants and examines their unbroken ties—imagined and real—to the African continent. The course draws from a wide range of interdisciplinary sources, exposing students to major historical themes and significant Black figures. Through lectures, discussions, and thesis-driven writing assignments, students gain a substantive understanding of the African diaspora’s historical formation and develop critical reading and writing skills essential to successful careers. (Prerequisite: ENL 111)

Prof. Ibrahim Hirsi is finishing his Ph.D. in Immigration History at the University of Minnesota, after working as a journalist for the Sahan Journal, MinnPost, and Minnesota Public Radio. In addition to English, he speaks Somali, Arabic, and Swahili.

submitted by froehlic@augsburg.edu

The Minnesota Urban Debate League, a program of Augsburg University, makes debate teams possible in Twin Cities schools for 1,400+ students! For the first time, MNUDL is now an Augsburg Experience program.

You can support our youth and gain valuable skills as part of the AUGEX5B Special Immersion: MN Urban Debate League course.

Benefits of participating:
• This counts toward your Augsburg Experience requirement, but it’s a 0-credit course, so you do NOT have to pay for participation.
• No specific major requirement!
• By participating, you can become qualified to judge multiple types of debate, which can lead to future paying gigs with the MNUDL!

**WE WELCOME SPANISH SPEAKERS!** There are unique opportunities to engage Spanish-speaking kids and celebrate the beauty of the language through this Augsburg Experience.

The spring semester course will take place from 12:30-1:30 PM on Fridays. The location will be the Anderson Hall basement (near the Campus Cupboard and MNUDL office.)

You’ll complete 40 hours supporting the MNUDL (20 must be completed off-campus.)

Register ASAP for: AUGEX5B.

Find all the information you need to register here: https://mnudl.augsburg.edu/mnudl-augsburg-experience/

Questions? Contact:
Johan at udlvolunteers@augsburg.edu.

Johan will be tabling in the Christensen Center today! Stop by to learn more. (He speaks Spanish!)

submitted by lloydr@augsburg.edu

This event is a chance for the Augsburg community to come together to ask questions, share resources, and discuss what we can do to respond to changes happening under the new administration, on issues such as immigration, educational funding, environmental Issues, and the overall state of democracy in America.

When: Thursday, November 21, 2024, 3:30 – 5:30
Where: East Commons, Christensen Center

Panelists and discussants (TBD). Hosted by Prof. Joe Underhill (Environmental Studies and Political Science), Prof. Michael Lansing, (History Department) and Provost Paula O’Loughlin.

submitted by gilmerje@augsburg.edu

Phillips Scholars create and test innovative ideas that address community needs — running their own programming in the summer of 2026. There’s support along the way, with the students coming together starting this May and throughout the 2025-26 academic year. Scholars receive more than $9,000 in scholarships and stipends.

Ten students from any of the Minnesota private colleges listed here will be named Phillips Scholars. Financial need is one of the criteria.

Find more details and the application here:
http://www.mnprivatecolleges.org/phillips

Email Jenean Gilmer, gilmerje@augbsburg.edu to learn more!