An Invitation to Learning from J. Herman Blake My teaching experiences at Iowa State University have been both exciting and frustrating. When I encounter enthusiastic students seeking to increase their learning as well as levels of academic achievement, teaching becomes a pleasurable and intellectually stimulating experience. African American Studies 201 is an introductory course that offers a lot to serious students. It is designed to motivate students to explore the history and current circumstances of African Americans while expanding their knowledge of American history and society. The learning experience is intense.
Lectures are comprehensive and stimulating.
They challenge students to go beyond the experience of listening and taking notes. Students leave with ideas that will stay with them, pushing them to see America in new and insightful ways. The reading is extensive, 15-16 books each semester, with the authors changing significantly each time the course is offered. Upper division students also find the course stimulating and challenging because the pedagogical strategy is tailored to student potential rather than a rigid evaluative framework. Individuals only seeking to meet a university requirement or find a course at a convenient time are often surprised by course expectations and leave soon after enrolling.