Black Curriculum Orientations: A Preliminary Inquiry

Abstract

In this article, William Watkins presents a historical discussion that traces the development of six different curriculum orientations in the educational experience of African Americans. He begins by pointing out that Black curriculum development is inextricably tied to Black America's experience of slavery and oppression in the United States. Watkins then outlines the six orientations, each of which represents African Americans' differing, although sometimes overlapping, sociopolitical responses to their historical reality. The author concludes that, because of the oppressiveness and separateness of U.S. society, Black curriculum orientations will continue to develop as both a part of and separate from the mainstream curriculum movement. Finally,he suggests that further study of the relationship of ethnicity, race, and culture to curriculum may be revealing as we examine contemporary urban education.