AACAT-1870 — Quick FAQ

What is AACAT-1870?

African American Community Archives as Theory (AACAT-1870) is an online learning experience grounded in archival theory, community memory work, and participatory archival practice through an autoethnographic and community-centered lens.

Who is the course for?

Librarians, archivists, educators, cultural workers, graduate students, artists, and independent learners interested in African American archival practice and Black cultural memory.

How do I participate?

Participation begins through self-enrollment, which provides access to course spaces, updates, and learning materials. Learners may join a structured cohort pathway or engage independently.

Are there discussion groups?

Yes. AACAT-1870 includes structured discussion groups that support dialogue, reflection, and collaborative engagement with course themes. Discussion participation varies by learning model.

Summer 2026 — Digital Lab Model

Beginning in Summer 2026, AACAT-1870 expands into a Digital Lab, transforming the original cohort environment into an ongoing collaborative space. The Digital Lab supports experimentation, digital projects, and sustained scholarly exchange among past and current participants while allowing flexible engagement beyond a traditional semester structure.

Fall 2026 — Cohort Learning Model

In Fall 2026, AACAT-1870 continues with a structured cohort experience alongside independent study options. Participants engage curated readings, archival case studies, guided dialogue, and reflective practice while benefiting from the evolving Digital Lab environment.

What will I learn?

Topics include community archives, African American cultural memory, digital curation, archival ethics, representation, authorship, and the political role of archives in preserving heritage.

Certificates & Completion Pathways

Six-Seminar Cohort Model
Participants who complete the full six-seminar cohort experience receive an AACAT-1870 Cohort Completion Certificate, recognizing collaborative participation, discussion engagement, and guided archival learning.

Individual Learning Model
Participants who enroll independently and complete required materials receive an Individual Model Certificate of Completion, acknowledging self-directed engagement with course theory and practice.

Both certificates reflect the intellectual rigor of AACAT-1870 while honoring different learning pathways.

Is this a university course?

AACAT-1870 is an independent scholarly initiative grounded in research, pedagogy, and community-centered archival practice.

Why is it called AACAT-1870?

The name honors 1870—the year African Americans were first fully recorded by name in the United States Census—symbolizing visibility, documentation, and archival reclamation.