I have taught this type of course several semesters to classes in
which African American students are about 50%. I am teaching a
general South African history course now and for the first time I am
using all three volumes of Luli Callinicos' popular histories of
South Africa: *Gold and Workers* (on the beginning of the mineral
revolution), *Working Life: Factories, Townships and Popular Culture
on the Rand 1886-1940* and the final volume *The Rand on the Eve of
Apartheid* (on the 1940's) I found that they work wonderfully and
incorporate the new historiography of South Africa. In which case
you can supplement w/ articles from the *Journal of Southern African
Studies*, etc. also am using for the first time Christopher
Ballantine's *Marabi Nights: Early South African Jazz and Vaudeville*
which comes w/ a tape recording of music. It fits quite well w/ the
last chapters of *Working Life*. You should also consider using
novels like *Mine Boy* and *The Marabi Dance* among others.
There is also a strong interest among A-A students in student
struggles. Seekings has just written a small book on the role of
youth in the 1980's collapse of apartheid. Johnathan Hyslop has
written a good survey of student politics in Cobbett and Cohen's
*Popular Struggles in South Africa* (a Review of African political
Economy book). I also add some of Steve Biko's material as well. The
Black Consciousness movement fascinates them especially because it
has a specific definition in South Africa that does not conform w/
ours. Students can actually read the debates and see how their South
African counterparts "handled" race. You might also have them look at
some pieces from the Carter/ later Gail Gerhart and Tom Karis's
*Protest and Challenge* (the documents of the struggle in South
Africa).
For women use Bozzolli's *The Women of Mafeking*. Most of the books
are Raven Press of South Africa but distributed by Ohio University
Press. The Callinicos books give you a lot of material to work w/ and
their flush w/ pictures. I also recently saw a film which is
absolutely fabulous on the 1950's. It's called "Have You Seen Drum
Lately?" It is about DRUM magazine in the 50's and all those
incredible black writers. It also has material on music, dance, and
includes shots of the protests like the Definace Campaigh in 53. It
is really an excellent film. It's available through Films for the
Humanities of Princeton. Also use "Generations of Resistance"
If you'd like other ideas or to discuss the student response speak w/ me
directly.