AACAT-1870 Cohort | Participant FAQ

This page outlines expectations, structure, and participation guidelines for the AACAT-1870 learning cohort.

What is AACAT-1870?

AACAT-1870 is a focused scholarly learning experience where participants shape the depth of the experience through their level of engagement. The cohort model emphasizes independent exploration, structured seminar modules, and community-centered dialogue grounded in African American archival thought.

What does “seminar” mean in this cohort versus a module?

 A seminar module is a structured learning unit released within the course. Each seminar module includes readings, lectures, discussions, and reflective components designed to support scholarly engagement. The term seminar reflects dialogue and intellectual exchange rather than traditional coursework pacing.

Cohort Two | Seminar Module Release Schedule

March — 1 seminar module released
April — 2 seminar modules released
May — 2 seminar modules released
June — 1 seminar module released  . 

Participants are encouraged to pace their work within each monthly release window.

WHAT ARE LIVE CLASS SESSIONS group participation work? 

> Cohort meets on the 2nd Saturday (1PM-1:40 PM CST) in every month = 40 minute discussion as a collective. (required)

> Cohort meets on the 4th Saturday (1PM - 3:30 PM CST) in every month for a live guest speaker/q&A Experience (optional)

Is this a hard course?

AACAT-1870 is a focused graduate scholarly learning experience where participants shape the depth of the experience through their level of engagement. You get what you give, just as you would in any scholarly environment.

Is time management important in this cohort?

Yes. Time management is essential. It is imperative that you attend Pre-Course Week and become familiar with the rhythm of the cohort platform and syllabus. Participants will receive email communication from the instructor with guidance and expectations.

Is late work accepted in this course?

No. Late work is not accepted. The cohort is intentionally structured with two-week increments and extended monthly access to support time management.

This is a strong No unless an acceptable circumstance occurs, such as:

• Death or bereavement

• Serious illness

• Personal wellness emergencies

Participants are responsible for managing their time accordingly.

Is there tuition assistance available?  

No. One form of assistance is available through a cohort scholarship application process beginning in Fall 2026. 

 *Please note: There is an option to pay for the cohort and independent modules through installments at your discretion.

How does discussion group participation work?  

Discussion participation may vary depending on participant interests and level of engagement within the cohort.

Are there required discussion assignments?  

Yes. There is one required discussion group assignment:
The Capstone Community Archiving Survey.

Is the Capstone Final Project assigned?

No. The capstone is not pre-assigned. Participants have the freedom to design their own narrative direction based on their interests and research. Required course components must be incorporated into the final submission.

What do I receive upon completion?  

Participants who complete all six seminar modules within the cohort model and pass the capstone process will receive a Cohort Completion Certificate. Participants enrolled in individual seminar models (Fall 2026) will receive a certificate specific to that seminar upon completion.

Is this a Black Space?  

Yes. This cohort defines, discusses, and narrates the histories of Black people in the Americas and across the African Diaspora, and is foundationally grounded in Black intellectual traditions, community knowledge, and archival practice. This approach reflects an understanding that, in the words of bell hooks, “Marginality is much more than a site of deprivation… it is also the site of radical possibility.”

AACAT-1870 welcomes participants of all backgrounds who are committed to engaging thoughtfully and respectfully with course materials. Participants are encouraged to approach the cohort with intellectual curiosity, self-awareness, and an understanding that the learning environment centers Black histories, perspectives, and scholarly discourse.

I am new to the Canvas platform — what should I do first?

 Please review the beginner resources below before Pre-Course Week:

• Canvas Student Guide
https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Student-Guide/tkb-p/student

• Canvas LMS for Students — Beginner Tutorial (watch before starting)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQ3zT4sGm5I

What is African American Community Archives Theory?

 African American Community Archives Theory centers on the ways Black communities define, preserve, and narrate their own histories outside of traditional institutional structures. It examines archives as spaces of memory, resistance, care, and cultural sovereignty, where communities actively shape historical knowledge rather than simply being subjects within it.

This framework connects archival practice with African American studies, diaspora scholarship, and community-driven knowledge production. To learn more, review the foundational overview here: https://www.aacat1870.info/about