Afrofuturism Discovery Academy

Course Title: Baadaye Foresight Culture- full school year

Target Audience:

High school students in grades 9-12 interested in developing leadership skills, engaging in community service, and exploring Afrofuturistic concepts.

Course Summary:

Baadaye Foresight Culture is a dynamic course designed to empower high school students by exploring Black cultural identity, future-thinking methods, and community service. Through engaging with theories like Stuart Hall's types of culture and W.E.B. Du Bois's vision of a megascope, students will learn to navigate, harness, and apply concepts such as Future Shock, Megatrends, and Acceleration to real-world challenges. This program not only enhances students’ cultural capital but also provides them with practical experience in designing and implementing community service projects, participating in youth forums, and securing internships.

Goals:

-Explore Afrofuturism and Black culture: Understand the impact and relevance of Black cultural identity through various lenses.

-Develop Future-Thinking Skills: Learn and apply concepts like Future Shock, Megatrends, and Acceleration to envision and shape future scenarios.

-Community Engagement: Design and participate in service projects, enhancing local communities and gaining practical experience.

-Career and Academic Preparation: Build a network, participate in internships, and engage in activities that enhance college and scholarship applications.

Course Outline:

1. Exploring Black Identity:

   - Dive into Stuart Hall’s cultural theories to understand and articulate aspects of Black culture.

   - Discussion and workshops on identity formation and cultural significance.

2. Navigating Future Design:

   - Introduction to concepts like Future Shock and Megatrends.

   - Utilize W.E.B. Du Bois's vision for a megascope to examine historical and future perspectives.

3. Creating Change:

   - Practical application of learned concepts in designing community service projects.

   - Techniques like backcasting to plan and implement effective service strategies.

4. Leading the Way:

   - Leadership training through participation in youth forums and internships.

   - Building networks and cultural capital to prepare for future academic and career opportunities.

Tools and Methodologies:

- Cultural Theories: Stuart Hall’s types of culture.

- Futuristic Concepts: Future Shock, Megatrends, Acceleration.

- Strategic Planning Tools: Backcasting to achieve ideal outcomes.

- Practical Engagement: Service projects, youth forums, internships.

Benefits:

- Cultural Insight: Gain a deeper understanding of Black culture and its implications for the future.

- Skill Development: Learn to apply theoretical knowledge in practical, real-world contexts.

- Community Impact: Directly contribute to community development and improvement.

- Academic and Career Advancement: Enhance your resume and applications with diverse experiences and skills.

This course is structured to not only educate but also to inspire and mobilize students to become proactive contributors to their communities and leaders in their own right, preparing them for a future where they are empowered and equipped to make meaningful impacts.