Amy Quarkume, PhD
Dr. Amy Quarkume is a faculty member in the Africana Studies Department.
HelloBlackWorld • IDSD-211-01
Intro to the Black Digital World I: Coding
Intro to the Black Digital World: African origins of math & CS, basic Python, data science, and visualization of diverse Black world data.
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About This Course
The HELLO BLACK WORLD curriculum has been designed for students of African descent who want to explore and develop data and computer science competencies centered around the presence of African contributions and the imagination. The curriculum addresses computer science, data science, the visualization of diverse data types, digital humanities, ethics, and communications within the Black world with a social justice lens. No previous programming or statistical background is assumed.
The Intro to the Black Digital World course introduces students to the African Origins of Mathematics and Computer Science, basic Python, data science and visualization of diverse data types within the Black world (e.g. text, numbers, images).
Upon successfully completing the course, learners will be able to:
- Identify the African Origins of Mathematics and Computer Science
- Define the relationship between the fields of Africana Studies, data science, digital humanities, computer science and mathematics (statistics) with the Black World
- Identify data science, digital humanities, or computer science challenges to people of African descent
- Apply the basics of the computer coding language Python
- Use data to solve real world issues in partnership with Open Data DC
Requirements
No coding or statistical background required. Students will need a Windows, Mac, or Linux laptop with Wi-Fi or internet access. You must have admin/root permission to install and modify software on your computer, work laptops with access restrictions will not work.
Course Staff
Frequently Asked Questions
What web browser should I use?
The Open edX platform works best with current versions of Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari.
See our list of supported browsers for the most up-to-date information.
How is the course graded?
Your grade is determined as follows: Participation (10%), Discussion/Activities (10%), Python Problem Sets (30%), Midterm Exam (20%), and Final Project (30%). You must earn a C or higher to receive credit. Graduate students must maintain a B average overall.
What is the attendance policy?
Students are expected to attend all sessions and participate in discussions and group projects. If you miss a scheduled midterm or final exam, you must obtain instructor approval for a substitute exam or receive a grade of zero.
What does the course cover?
The course spans 15 modules covering African origins of mathematics and computation, Python programming fundamentals (functions, data types, strings, lists, variables, files), data analysis (central tendencies), and data visualization and storytelling. See the full syllabus for the complete schedule.