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.

Table of Contents:
Building the Basics: An Introduction Africana Studies Growing and Developing Scholars ACTIVITIESChapter 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 ACTIVITIESChapter 2 Building the Basics on Critical Thinking and Critical Questioning in Africana Studies African Deep Thought Critical Questioning African-Centered Critical Questions Conclusion ACTIVITIESChapter 3 Building Skilled and Critical Reading in Africana Studies Nonfiction and Fiction Readings in Africana Studies Nonfiction Fiction Critical Questions for Africana Scholars Textbooks in Africana Studies Conclusion ACTIVITIESChapter 4 Building Scholarly Writing in Africana Studies Types of Scholarly Writing Assignments Opinion Papers Reflection Papers Critical (Analytical) Essays Book Report Book Review Summary and Analysis Research Papers Research Proposals Thesis/Dissertation Active Voice Ten Writing Tips ACTIVITIESChapter 5 Building Collaborative Group Projects in Africana Studies: In-Class Small Group Activity, Presentations, and Debates Short In-Class Small Group Activities: Presentations Debates ACTIVITIESChapter 6 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 ACTIVITIESBuilding and Refining the Basics: A Conclusion