St. Cloud State University
General Education Goal Area 7
Racial & Ethnic Diversity in the U.S.
Academic Affairs Use Only:
Response Date:
Effective Date:
1.
Prepared by: Christopher Lehman
Phone: 8-5217
Proposal Number:
Email: cplehman@stcloudstate.edu
2.
Requesting Unit: Ethnic Studies Department
3.
Department, Course Number, Title: ETHS 220: Introduction to African American Studies
4.
New Course
5.
Is this course already designated as a Racial Issues course?
No
Yes
RIS Proposal Accompanying This Form
Existing Course
6.
Course bulletin description, including credits and semesters to be offered:
Interdisciplinary approach to the African American experience and the field of African American Studies.
3 Cr. F. S.
7.
Indicate the clientele for whom this course is designed. Is the course for general education only, or
does it fulfill general education and other program needs for this or another department? Obtain
signatures from any affected departments.
This course is required for the African American Studies minor and serves as an elective for the Ethnic
Studies minor.
8.
Indicate any changes that must be made in offerings or resources in your department or other
departments by offering this course.
None
9.
For new courses or courses not yet approved for General Education, indicate any other SCSU departments
or units offering instruction that relates to the content of the proposed course.
N/A
10.
Courses designated as General Education are included in the assessment plan for the Goal Area(s)
for which they are approved. Courses for which assessment is not included in the annual GE
assessment report for two years will be removed from the General Education Program.
The Requesting Unit understands and recognizes the above conditions.
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11.
Provide a concise explanation of how the following goal is a “significant focus” of the proposed course.
Goal Area 7: Racial & Ethnic Diversity in the U.S.
Examine patterns of racial and ethnic inequality in the United States; the heritage, culture, and
contributions of racially subordinated groups; and how race and ethnic relations are embedded in the
institutions that structure our lives.
This course is designed to provide students with an overview of significant concepts related to the
histories, societies, cultures and contributions of African Americans. By studying governmentally
imposed policies of slavery, segregation and self-determination, a more accurate understanding of the
unique political relationship between the U.S. government and African Americans will be gained. An
examination of the social construction or race and ethnicity, racial oppression, discrimination and white
privilege is examined as embedded in the social fabric of American life.
12. In order for a course to be designated as fulfilling Goal Area 7, it must address at least 5 of the 6 student learning
outcomes (SLOs) below. Check the SLOs below that are focused on in the proposed general education course.
1. Demonstrate awareness and understanding of historical and current race relations in the United States.
2. Explain the concept of “race.”
3. Analyze current events and conditions at the local, statewide, and national levels using course theories and
concepts.
4. Identify forms of institutional discrimination in areas such as education, media, housing, employment,
economics, politics, and the legal system.
5. Describe the basic history of discrimination against and contributions of African Americans, Asian Americans,
American Indians, Latinos, and recent immigrants of color.
6. Engage in dialog and self-reflection concerning racism, racial oppression, and white privilege.
13.
Discuss how each Student Learning Outcome checked above is achieved in this course. (Note: Although
descriptions of typical assignments or types of assignments may be part of this discussion, it is not
appropriate to submit copies of actual assignments.)
SLO1 is addressed by examining historical policies that had direct impact on African Americans.
SLO2 is addressed by studying the history of eugenics in the United States.
SLO3 is addressed when students examine the current practices of Affirmative Action, Historically Black
Colleges and Universities, Historically Black Fraternities and Sororities, the fruit of the Civil Rights Movement,
and the state of local African American Studies.
SLO4 is addressed when students watch episodes from the "Eyes on the Prize" miniseries and discuss the current
legacies of historic discrimination.
SLO5 is addressed in the essay question of the final exam and the term paper.
SLO6 is addressed when students discuss "sundown towns" and discuss the history of the presence of or exclusion
of African Americans in their hometowns or current residential areas.
14.
List or attach the Course Outline (adequately described and including percentage of time to be allocated
to each topic). Curriculum Committees may request additional information. Topics larger than 20% need
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to be broken down further. Indicate in your course outline where the Student Learning Outcomes
checked above are being met.
Issues concerning African American Identity - 20% - SLO 2, 5
Comparative analysis of discrimination toward African Americans with that toward other ethnic groups - 20% SLO 1, 2, 5
Demographic and economic issues concerning African Americans - 20% - SLO 4, 5, 6
African American history, leadership, grass-roots activism, and gender - 20% - SLO 4, 5
African American health issues - 10% - SLO 2, 4, 5
African American education issues - 10% - SLO 3, 5
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St. Cloud State University
General Education Transmittal Form
Academic Affairs Use Only:
Response Date:
Effective Date:
Proposal Number
Department: Ethnic Studies Department
Course or Course(s): ETHS 220: Introduction to African American Studies
Department or Unit Chair Signature
Date
Department forward to Academic Affairs for publication and electronically to Chair of General Education Committee, Chair
of College Curriculum Committee, College Dean
Recommendation of General Education Committee:
Approve
Remarks:
Disapprove
Chairperson
Committee
Signature
Date
Recommendation of University Curriculum Committee:
Approve
Remarks:
Disapprove
Chairperson
Committee
Signature
Date
Recommendation of Faculty Association:
Approve
Remarks:
Disapprove
FA Senate
Signature
Date
Action of Academic Vice President:
Approve
Disapprove
Signature
Entered in Curriculum Data File
12/11/2009
Remarks:
Date