Building the Basics: A Handbook for Pursuing Academic Excellence in Africana Studies
Edition: 3
Copyright: 2026
Pages: 106
Edition: 3
Copyright: 2026
Pages: 107
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The mission and goal of Africana Studies is the development of cultural grounding, academic excellence, and social responsibility. Building the Basics: A Handbook for Developing Academic Excellence in Africana Studies focuses on the goal of developing students academically. Throughout students’ academic career, they will take a variety of courses and learn the course content. Many students enter higher education at different levels of preparation. Regardless of content or preparation, students should always build and develop the basics.
Building the Basics provides students with strategies, tips, and approaches to maximize learning. The handbook discusses the basics of working at home, critical thinking and questioning, skilled and critical reading, scholarly writing, working collaboratively in groups, and studying for quizzes and examines. Each chapter begins with guiding questions and key terms to prime students for what is to come in the chapter. In addition, each chapter concludes with activities for students. Building the Basics offers pragmatic strategies and approaches to master the fundamentals every student needs to enhance student learning in pursuit of academic excellence.
Preface
Acknowledgments
How to Use this Handbook
Building the Basics: An Introduction
Africana Studies
Hard and Soft Skills
Growing and Developing Scholars
ACTIVITIES
Chapter 1 - The Basics on Working at Home: Online, Hybrid, Studying, Reading, Writing, and Beyond
Working at Home
Stay Organized
Class and Study Time
Plan Study Breaks
Clarity on Task
Do Your Own Work
Stay in Communication
ACTIVITIES
Chapter 2 Building the Basics on Critical Thinking and Critical Questioning in Africana Studies
Active Listening
African Deep Thought
Africana Code of Ethics
Applying African Cultural Values
Critical Questioning
African-Centered Critical Questions
Conclusion
ACTIVITIES
Chapter 3 Building the Basics of Skilled and Critical Reading in Africana Studies
Critical Questions for Africana Scholars
Author
Publication Date
Key Terms, Problem Terms, and Definitions
Conclusion
ACTIVITIES
Chapter 4 Building the Basics of Critically Reading Nonfiction and Fiction Text
Nonfiction and Fiction Readings in Africana Studies
Nonfiction
Topic
Thesis
Main Points
Conclusion
Textbooks in Africana Studies
Fiction
Characters
Setting
Plot
Conflict
Climax/Resolution
Themes
Morals
Symbolism
Point of View
Perspective
Conclusion
ACTIVITIES
Chapter 5 Building Scholarly Writing in Africana Studies
Dignity Affirming Language
Types of Scholarly Writing Assignments
Opinion Papers
Reflection Papers
Critical (Analytical) Essays
Book Report
Book Review
Film Review
Summary and Analysis
Research Papers
Research Proposals
Thesis/Dissertation
Basic Essay Structure
Active Voice
Ten Writing Tips
ACTIVITIES
Chapter 6 Building the Basics of Working on Collaborative Group
Projects in Africana Studies
Short In-Class Small Group Activities
Presentations
Debates
ACTIVITIES
Chapter 7 Building Good Strategies for Taking Tests and Quizzes in Africana Studies
Types of Assessments
True\False Questions
Multiple-Choice Questions
Short Answer Questions
Essay Questions
ACTIVITIES
Building and Refining the Basics: A Conclusion
M. Keith Claybrook, Jr., Ph.D. is an Associate Professor in the Department of Africana Studies at CSU, Long Beach. His research areas include the Black Freedom Movement, Black Los Angeles, African Deep Thought, Black Intellectual Histories, and the discipline of Africana Studies. In addition, Claybrook is the author of Building the Basics: A Handbook for Pursuing Academic Excellence in Africana Studies which is now in its third edition. The handbook offers tips, tidbits, and suggestions for studying at home, African Deep Thought and critical thinking, critical reading and questioning, scholarly writing, working collaboratively in groups, and preparing for quizzes and exams. He also has a chapter entitled “African Deep Thought: An African Centered Approach to Critical Thinking” in the forthcoming book New Perspectives in Africana Studies. Claybrook is currently working on two books. The first is a co-authored book entitled Voices from the Black Freedom Movement in Los Angeles: 1955-75 and the second is a single authored book entitled Voices of Black Men in Compton, 1970-1990. He is also a life-time member to the African American Intellectual History Society and is a regular contributor to its award-winning blog Black Perspectives. He has also published in the International Journal of Africana Studies, the Journal of Black Studies, the Journal of African American Studies, and Africology: The International Journal of Pan African Studies. Claybrook has been interviewed and lent his expertise to print, television, and online blogs such as the Black Studies Podcast with Dr. Ashley Newby. He served two terms as faculty co-president of the Black Faculty and Staff Association at CSULB as well as advises the Black Student Union and the Black Business Student Association. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the African American Cultural Center of Long Beach.