Social Science 320: African American Studies
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Welcome to Social Science 320 - The Socio-Cultural, Economic and Political Experience of the African American! Of all the immigrants to America, African Americans have had a unique experience in the United States. Beginning with their initial importation as slave labor, Africans have been an integral part in the economic, cultural and social development of this nation. In this class we will examine and discuss some of the issues with which African immigrants and their descendants have had to contend. This journey will be an interdisciplinary overview of the issues facing African Americans, past and present. We will examine the manner in which African Americans influenced the formation and development of the United States. Along the way we will discover something about ourselves.
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Social Science 320: African American Studies
PROFESSOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
As your instructor, I am responsible for lecturing, grading your exams and papers. I have high academic standards and expectations. Therefore, you may count on me to be both thorough and fair in my approach to grading papers and exams. I look for and expect improvement on each assignment and will structure my grading accordingly.
I am also your resource for any problems or concerns about the class. My job is to help you succeed not only in passing this course but to enjoy the process.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES and STUDENTS SUCCESS:
I am intensely interested in your success as a student. However, just as I have delineated my responsibilities above, I also have expectations of my students. I expect
my students to attend class regularly and to be prepared to participate. Your participation includes but is not limited to taking notes and contributing to the discussions in class. I will endeavor to allay any trepidation you may have so that you can learn in a relaxed environment. However, this does not preclude your responsibility as a student. The responsibility of learning is yours alone. My job is to facilitate that process. You must do that which is required (read the texts, take notes, write the papers and exams) to gain the grade you want. An additional tip for student success is to follow directions! I cannot stress enough how important this is to your success as a student.
A WORD ABOUT WRITING:
This history course is demanding. It demands a lot of reading, analytical writing, and critical thinking skills. Although there is no stated prerequisite for this class, I expect students who take this class to have satisfactorily completed, or are concurrently taking a college level writing course such as English 101 - College Composition. As reading is also very important, English 110 - College Analytical and Speed
Reading will also be very helpful. As stated above, there are no stated prerequisites for this course. However, taking the above courses is strongly encouraged.
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Social Science 320: African American Studies
My Philosophy of Teaching and Learning:
As mentioned above, I also have expectations of my students. I expect regular
class attendance and active participation in class activities. Your participation includes but is not limited to taking notes and contributing to the discussions in class. I will endeavor to allay any trepidation you may have so that you can learn in a relaxed environment. However, this does not preclude your responsibility as a student. If attendance problems arise, please feel free to come and talk with me. I will listen and can be very understanding. Please remember that good communication is essential to any relationship and is no less important between professor and student. I urge you to take advantage of my office hours. I am willing, able, and available to help you.
ATTENDANCE AND DROP POLICY:
It is imperative to come to class prepared to listen and discuss what you have absorbed from the readings and from lectures. If you do not choose to attend class, you will have a difficult time passing this course. Therefore you should consider class attendance an opportunity to consider and question important issues in United States history, and to share your thoughts with your classmates. If you do not attend class for two consecutive sessions without communication with me, I will drop you from the class without notice.
If attendance problems arise, please feel free to come and talk with me. I will listen and can be very understanding. Please remember that good communication is essential to any relationship, and is no less important between professor and student. I urge you to take advantage of my office hours as I am quite willing, able, and available to help you.
COURSE EVALUATION:
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Social Science 320: African American Studies
I have designed this course to impart information, not necessarily to test you. However, grades are important! Therefore, I will evaluate your course grade on the following criteria:
1. A mid-term exam -- essay format (Worth 100 points.)
2. Mandatory “Meet the Professor” conferences (worth 100 points.) Due by 9/28/2012.
3. Thematic Currents and participation (worth 100 points.) This is an all or nothing proposition, there are no make-ups. Each Student is responsible for 5 Current events.
4. One term paper - worth 100 points. I will give details in class.
5. A Final Essay Presentation Project (worth 200 points.)
Total points = 600.
Students may earn one-time “Extra Credit” points by and visiting a cultural event in the
City of Sacramento. (Worth 25 points each.)
Please note that all class assignments (exams, quizzes and papers) must be completed to receive a passing grade for this course. Students are responsible for all adjustments - verbal and written - to syllabus information.
MISSED EXAMS AND LATE PAPER POLICY:
I will not accept any late papers or essay exams unless there are valid reasons and applicable documentation (e.g., a signed doctor’s note). If you have a problem turning in an assignment, please contact me when possible before the due date. This will allow us to work out an acceptable compromise. Students may make up a missed exam
ONLY if they provide me with a valid excuse, i.e., illness (doctor’s note required), a family emergency or another documented catastrophe. “I did not get enough time to study” is not a valid excuse. Make-up exams and late paper extensions are granted at my discretion and must be completed no later than one week after the assignment due date.
Miscellaneous items:
Special Arrangements: Please inform me of any special needs you may have (i.e., learning disabilities) at the beginning of the semester. You must provide campus
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Social Science 320: African American Studies verification for any disability you may have.
THINGS THAT IRRITATE THE PROFESSOR:
1.
Late arrivals & early departures -- This is rude and inconsiderate to the speaker and classmates. I expect all students to come to class on time and remain until dismissal unless such departure has been previously discussed with me or in emergency cases.
2.
Late papers -- Plan to get your papers in on time.
3.
Academic Dishonesty -- I will not tolerate cheating in any form. Any student who cheats on an exam, or plagiarizes on a written assignment will not receive credit for that assignment. I will also refer that student to the appropriate administrative authority for further disciplinary action.
4.
Electronic Devices -- Unless there is a compelling reason not to comply, students must turn off all electronic/portable media devices (i.e. cell
phones, ipods, etc.) upon entering the classroom. I allow classroom sessions to be recorded for academic purposes only and under special circumstances. See me for details.
5.
Improper Social Behavior – Anti-social behavior such as interrupting fellow classmates while speaking, being excessively argumentative, or causing any other classroom disruption is not allowed. In the event that a student chooses to disrupt the class, The Sacramento City College Student Code of Conduct - http://wserver.scc.losrios.edu/~matric/guide/stuconduct.html
) will be observed and enforced.
6.
Reading newspapers, books, studying, talking, sleeping, etc., during
lectures and classroom activities. --This behavior distracts your fellow students and is inconsiderate to the instructor.
7.
Racist remarks of any sort. -- This behavior is incongruent with college policy and has no place in this classroom.
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Social Science 320: African American Studies
8.
Talking when I am speaking. -- This is rude and disruptive.
9.
Laptops. --Because laptops are difficult to police, I have to disallow laptops in
10.
this class.
Students who do not take the class seriously or show initiative.
A Final note:
There is nothing worse than being a “wandering generality.”All students must strive to be a “meaningful specific.” Thus all students should have an educational plan. If you do not have such a plan, you may obtain an educational plan by visiting the counseling office and conferring with a member of the counseling staff. They are more than willing to assist you with your educational goals.
Assignment and Exam Schedule:
Meet the Professor Meetings: Before September 28 th 2012.
Mid-Term Examination: TBD.
Term Paper: TBD
Your Final Project paper is due on Final Exam day Tuesday December 18 th
2011@ 12:45pm-2:45pm.
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Social Science 320: African American Studies
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Social Science 320: African American Studies
Course Structure:
This course is divided into the following sections:
 History
 Education
 Politics
 Culture
 Social Issues
Reading assignments will be given weekly based on these themes.
Current Events will coincide with each theme/week.
I will assign each student to a group of four-five and they will be responsible for researching one of the particular themes. Each group member will be responsible for a final research project/paper at the end of the semester.
In the final weeks of the class we will begin group presentations.
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Social Science 320: African American Studies
9/3-7 “Nature, Culture, and Slavery”
9/10-14 “Migration and Emigration”
9/17-21 “Separation versus Integration”
9/24-28 “Education”
10/1-5 “Education”
10/8-12 “Race, Gender, and Electoral Allegiance”
10/15-19 “The Government: Civic Rights and Civic Duties”
10/22-26 “Politics of Art” & “Politics of Representation”
10/29-11/2 “Hip-Hop Culture& “Style and Politics”
11/5-9 “Interracialism” & “Birth Control”
11/12-16 “Style and Politics: Hair” & “Structure versus Agency”
11/19-23 “Black Women and the Feminist Movement”
11/26-30 Begin Presentations
12/3-7 Presentations
12/10-13 Presentations
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