Dr. Barnwell will explore what the lyrics of spirituals have to tell us about the African experience in American history.

What is the African world view? What was the relationship between African religions and Christianity? What were the activities of daily life? Was it better to remain enslaved or to risk escaping from slavery? And when and how could you excape? What does it mean to be bought and sold? How do you remember "home?" What were the strategies for survival? What gives you empowerment and hope? And what is the meaning of death?