This document provides an overview of the objectives and frameworks for a course on the Black Freedom Struggle in the U.S. It discusses how historians, sociologists, and political scientists study social movements. Key questions about social movements are outlined related to their emergence, tactics, participation, and functions. The document distinguishes between primary and secondary sources and factors for evaluating sources. An example police report on George Floyd's death is analyzed. Frameworks for understanding goals, strategies, and tactics of social movements are introduced.