Instructor:
Dr. Bonnie Reddick
Location:
AH-2116
WED
4:00-6:40 PM
Office Hours: By Appointment Only
Email:
breddick@mail.sdsu.edu
REQUIRED TEXT:
Course Reader (CR)
CAL COPY
WELCOME
Welcome to the Africana Studies 341 community of critical thinkers and writers.
This semester, we will spend a lot of time exploring three primary areas: Africans
involuntary immigration to this country and the social institutions resulting from
that experience; the political system’s response to the Africanist presence in
America, and current social relationships with African Americans.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Impact of social institutions on African American identity and cultural patterns.
PREREQUISITES
Africana Studies 101A or completion of the General Education requirement in
Foundations II.B., Social and Behavioral Sciences for non-majors.
This is an Explorations course in Social and Behavioral Sciences. Completing
this course will help you learn to do the following with greater depth: 1) explore
and recognize basic terms, concepts, and domains of the social and behavioral
sciences; 2) comprehend diverse theories and methods of the social and
behavioral sciences; 3) Identify human behavioral patterns across space and
time and discuss their interrelatedness and distinctiveness; 4) enhance your
understanding of the social world through the application of conceptual
frameworks from the social and behavioral sciences to first-hand engagement
with contemporary issues.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
By the end of the semester, students will demonstrate their ability to think
critically, analyze issues, and present them orally and in writing. Students will
analytically present and support an argument; critique the ideas and opinions of
others, and write and present a cogent argument, demonstrating his/her
knowledge of appropriate research techniques, MLA and/or APA documentation,
and overall organization.
By the end of the semester, students will demonstrate a comprehensive
understanding of the Africana experience as a dynamic and unfolding process.
Students will be able to explain the impact of slavery and colonization on African
peoples and society. Students will explore the political, economic and social
movements for the liberation of African people worldwide. Students will be able
to identify and explain the dislocation and relocation of African people in the
Diaspora.
GRADING:
“My Hero”
(MIDTERM)
On Trial: The N-Word (FINAL)
Weekly Reflections/Homework
Church/AA Museum
Attendance/Participation
TOTAL POINTS
20%
30%
30%
10%
10%
100%
A (95-100); A- (90-94); B+ (86-89); B (83-85); B- (80-82); C+ (76-79); C (73-75);
C- (70-72); D+ (66-69); D (63-65); D- (60-62); F (0-59)
READING
Reading is an important part of developing strong writing and critical thinking
skills. Completion of all readings is necessary for all assignments and class
discussions.
WRITING
Writing is an integral component of this course. Additional information will be
distributed as the semester progresses.
Students agree that by taking this course all required papers will be subject to
submission for textual similarity review to Turnitin.com for the detection of
plagiarism. All submitted papers will be included as source documents in the
Turnitin.com reference database solely for the purpose of detecting plagiarism of
such papers. You may submit your papers in such a way that no identifying
information about you is included. Another option is that you may request, in
writing, that your papers not be submitted to Turnitin.com. However, if you
choose this option you will be required to provide documentation to substantiate
that the papers are your original work and do not include any plagiarized
material.
“MY HERO” (MIDTERM)
You must first define “hero”. I do not want to see a dictionary definition. You are
an emerging scholar. It is your assignment to define it in YOUR terms. Interview
an African American who embodies your definition. The questions you ask your
“hero” should help you answer how this individual exemplifies the characteristics
of a hero you’ve delineated and why. You must submit the formulaic questions
and your hero’s responses. In addition, write up your findings, including a picture
of your hero. Your findings should include the number of times you spoke to your
participant and the duration of each interview. A rubric for the report will be
posted on Blackboard for guidance.
You must also select one of the slave narratives we’ve read this semester. Based
upon your definition of “hero”, which writer best exemplifies your definition? Why
and how your selection best fit your description. Please use concrete detail from
the slave narrative to help you make your case.
This assignment must be submitted to Blackboard’s turnit.com by 4:00 PM on the
due date. The due date can be found in the Course Calendar. No late
submissions will be accepted.
ON TRIAL: THE N-WORD (FINAL)
The N-Word has been charged with violating California Penal Code Section
[3480.] “Section Thirty-four Hundred and Eighty: Public Nuisance. A public
nuisance is one which affects at the same time an entire community or
neighborhood, or any considerable number of persons, although the extent of the
annoyance or damage inflicted upon individuals may be unequal”.
We’re going to put the N-Word on trial. Each student will participate as the
prosecution, defense, or a witness: Prosecution will have three attorneys;
defense will have three attorneys, and there will be ten (10) witnesses:
a contemporary rapper, (male and female) Hip Hop rapper (male and female),
Audre Lorde, Marcus Garvey, Carter G. Woodson, WEB DuBois, Booker T.
Washington, Anna Julia Cooper, John Lewis, Geneva Smitherman, Randall
Kennedy, 10 Black male and/or female participants between the ages of 18-22,
10 Black male and/or female participants between the ages of 23-40, and 10
Black male and/or female participants over 40 .
Each witness must research their assigned person’s ideologies. You cannot use
Wikipedia as a source. You must prepare a paper, including a minimum of five
(5) scholarly sources, articulating his or her philosophy, use APA to cite your
source, and include a Reference Page. Based on your research, you must
speculate how your person would respond to the use of the N-Word.
For those who pull a group of ten participants, you must develop a questionnaire
that includes demographic information, including age, gender, occupation;
formulaic questions and the participants’ responses. In addition, based upon the
data collected, you must analyze the data and draw some conclusions of what
the data is telling you. You must also detail how you selected your participants.
You might think about using Survey Monkey. See me for more details.
The prosecution and defense must schedule meetings with each witness to
develop a legal strategy to prosecute or defend whether Penal Code Section
3480 has been violated. You must prepare a brief of your strategy, articulating
why it is sound and how you plan to argue it. Your analysis and position must be
supported by research (CITE YOUR SOURCES), hence, the importance of
having meaningful discussions with the witnesses.
The jury will be comprised of a diverse group of community members. They will
analyze the presentation of the facts and vote whether the N-word should be
convicted or acquitted of violating the penal code.
Weekly Reflections
Each week submit a one-page critique of one of the assigned readings. Do not
regurgitate the reading. How does the article or narrative shape your
understanding of African American culture? Does it comport or dispel
stereotypical characterizations of African Americans? Did you learn something
new? Weekly Reflection due dates can be found in the tentative course calendar.
Please submit Weekly Reflections, by 4:00 PM on the due date, in Blackboard
under Journals. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Church/Museum
The Black church has played a very important role in the construction of African
American culture and identity. The church has been the foundation for social
protest and the embodiment of nonviolent resistance. As a group, we will attend
Bayview Baptist Church 8:00 AM service. You must find me before or after
service to check in. You must check in with me to receive credit for attendance.
This attendance is mandatory. Refer to the course calendar for the date. If you
do not attend, not only does it count as an absence, you cannot complete the
assignment. Write a one-page critique of the service and discuss what you
learned about African American culture. If you need a ride to the church, please
let me know ASAP.
Each of you must visit the African Museum “Casa de Rey Morro”. It’s located in
Old Town at 2471 Congress Avenue. It’s open from 10:30AM to 7:00 PM daily,
EXCEPT on Wednesdays. We will attend as a group on Saturday, October 19,
2013 at 12 Noon. Meet me at the entrance. For those who are unable to attend
on the class date, you can attend individually, any time before the class date, but
not later than October 30, 2013. Professor Ambers will provide a tour and
worksheet that you must complete and turn in to me. This assignment is
mandatory.
HOMEWORK
Each week, you must respond to the Homework prompt found on pages 6 and 7
of this syllabus. Your response should be posted to Blackboard’s Journals by the
due date. Refer to the course calendar for dates. Late submittals will not be
accepted.
ATTENDANCE/PARTICIPATION
Active participation in class discussions and activities is an essential part of this
class. You can do your part by coming to class on time, remaining alert, and
being willing to ask questions and share ideas. You should also keep in mind
that participating in an inappropriate manner or refusing to participate in class
activities will considerably lower your course grade. Many students refrain from
commenting during class discussions out of fear that they will give the wrong
answer or say something embarrassing. I encourage each of you to risk sharing
opinions that you are not entirely sure of. Since none of the readings can be said
to have a “perfect” interpretation, your comments can only assist the class in its
primary goal of critically exploring the ideas presented in the various texts we will
read.
Attendance is crucial to your success in this class. I record attendance every
day. If you arrive after I have taken attendance, it is your responsibility to come
up to me at the end of class to change your absence to a tardy. No absence will
be changed after the day you come late.
TARDINESS/LEAVING EARLY
Unless you have made prior arrangements with me, you are expected to be in
class on time and remain until class is over. Unexcused incidents of leaving
early will be counted as an absence for that day. Arranging with me to arrive late
or leave early should be the exception not the rule. If you have a commitment
that requires you to arrive late or leave early on a regular basis, you should take
this class at another time. Note: Excessive tardies will significantly reduce your
course grade.
ACCOMMODATION
Students who need accommodations for disabilities should contact me privately
to discuss specific accommodations for which they have received authorization. If
you have a disability, but have not contacted Student Disability Services at 619594-6473 (Capuli Center, Suite 3101), please do so before making an
appointment to see me.
OTHER COURSE POLICIES
1.
Plagiarism – When you use the words, ideas or concepts of someone
else without giving him/her the proper credit (citing your source), you
are guilty of plagiarism. Plagiarism is a form of academic dishonesty.
CITE YOUR SOURCE!
2.
Treat other students and me with respect. Students are expected to
refrain from behavior that interferes with the learning of other students.
3.
Come to class prepared. If you are absent, you are still responsible for
completing the readings and any homework assigned during your
absence.
4.
Complete all homework on time. Readings and any other
assignments are to be completed prior to class. Refer to the course
calendar for due dates. Additional assignments are due as directed,
when assigned. Late assignments will not be accepted.
5.
Except during group work, only one person at a time may address the
class. You are expected to listen attentively and refrain from
conversation while another person is speaking.
6.
No cell phones, pagers, or other electronic equipment may be
operated in class. Do not surf the Internet or text message a friend.
7.
Please DO NOT email any assigned work to me.
8.
I frequently post updates and information on Blackboard. Please be
sure that I have a good email address for you.
HOMEWORK:
Your homework must be posted into Blackboard, under “Journals” by 4:00 PM on
the due date. Refer to the Tentative Course Calendar for due dates. The
Homework rubric is posted in Blackboard under “Course Documents”. I will not
accept late Journals.
1. What is a stereotype? Define it and give me an example. Your example
should include a description of he scene, individuals involved, show the reader
so he/she can visualize the participants; include dialogue. What can the reader
learn from what you’ve described. Your response cannot exceed one typed page.
2. What is prejudice? Define it and give me an example. Create a scene, using
characters, description and dialogue. Help the readers “see” what you “saw”,
what you heard, and what you felt. What can the reader learn from what you’ve
described? Your response cannot exceed one typed page.
3. Watch one prime time television news program on ABC, NBC or CBS. Pay
particular attention to how African Americans are portrayed. What types of news
stories include African Americans: crime-related, sports, entertainment, etc. Write
a critique of the news program including, the date and time watched, the
anchors, including a description of him or her. How does the reporting of African
Americans affirm or disrupt stereotypical beliefs about African Americans?
4. Watch on of the major channels: ABC, NBC, CBS, CW, TNT, TBS, etc., for
one hour. Pay particular attention to the types of commercials featuring African
Americans. Which products are being marketed? What types of actors/actresses
are used? Pay particular attention to skin tone, hair type, body type, etc. Write up
a one page critique including date, time and channel watched. What might the
viewer learn about African Americans from the commercials?
5. Watch BET for one hour. What type of programming is being shown? How
does it differ from the major networks? Write up a one-page critique of the show
viewed including date, time and name of program. What can the viewer learn
about African American culture?
6. Drive through a neighborhood south of I-8 and West of 94. Describe the
neighborhood, including names of streets, schools or parks. Make note of the
architectural design of the homes and businesses. What types of businesses are
in this neighborhood? How many churches, parks and community centers do you
see? How is it similar or different from your neighborhood? Write a one-page
critique of what you observed.
7. Purchase a San Diego Tribune. Read the local and national sections. How
many stories are about African Americans and what are they about? What page
did you find the stories on? What might the reader learn about African American
culture from those stories? Cut out the stories and turn them in.
8. Purchase a San Diego Voice and Viewpoint Newspaper. Read the local
section. What types of stories are they reporting on African Americans? What
might the reader learn about Blacks in San Diego from the Voice and Viewpoint?
9. Review a white magazine, i.e., Cosmopolitan, Ladies Journal, Vogue, GQ,
etc. How are African Americans represented in either content (featured stories)
or the advertisements? What might the reader learn about Africans Americans
from the magazine you selected? Please include the name of the magazine and
publication information.
10. Review a Black magazine, i.e., Ebony, Essence, Jet, etc. How are African
Americans portrayed? What types of stories are found in the magazines? What
types of products are being advertised? How does it differ from the magazines
you reviewed last week? What might a reader learn about African American
culture from the magazine selected?
11. Write a one-page critique about how African Americans identity is
constructed in this country.
TENTATIVE COURSE CALENDAR
8/28/13
Introductions
“Where I’m From” - Homework
“Hidden Colors”
Review Syllabus
Final Exam Assignments
SLAVERY
09/04/13
Olaudah Equiano (CR)
Willie Lynch Letter (CR)
“Roots” video
Where I’m From Due – turn in to Blackboard turnitin.com by 4:00 PM
09/11/13
Frederick Douglass (CR)
Harriet Jacobs (CR)
“Sankofa” - video
Homework: stereotype due
CULTURE
09/18/13
“The Struggle for Identity Congruence in African Americans (CR)
“Persistence of the African-Centered Worldview” (CR)
Miseducation of the Negro: “Preface” (CR) and “How We Drifted Away From
the Truth” (CR)
The B.I.T.C.H. Test – BB-Documents – In Class
Homework: major network due
09/22/13
MANDATORY 8AM SUNDAY SERVICE AT BAYVIEW
BAPTIST CHURCH – 6134 BENSON AVENUE
09/25/13
The Cress Theory of Color-Confrontation and Racism (White Supremacy)
“Black is Black Ain’t” - video
Church critique due
Homework: commercial due
10/02/13
WEB DuBois – “Our Spiritual Strivings” (CR)
Booker T. Washington – “Atlanta Exposition” (CR)
Homework: BET due
10/09/13
“A Salute to the “Little Rock Nine”
Daisy Bates
Elizabeth Eckford
Melba Beals
“Little Rock Nine 40 Year Anniversary” - video
Homework: neighborhood due
10/16/13
MLK – Letter From a Birmingham Jail
“Freedom Riders” – video
Homework: San Diego Union Tribune due
10/19/13
MANDATORY GROUP AFRICAN MUSEUM
OLD TOWN – CASA DEL REY MORO
10/23/13
NO CLASS
10/30/13
MY HERO PROJECT DUE
Homework: San Diego Voice & Viewpoint due
11/06/13
The New Jim Crow – Chapter 1
Homework: white magazine due
11/13/13
The New Jim Crow – Chapter 2
Homework: Black magazine due
11/20/13
The New Jim Crow – Chapters 3 & 4
11/27/13
The New Jim Crow – Chapters 5 & 6
12/04/13
“A House Divided” - video
Guest Speaker
12/11/13
“The O.J. Verdict” - video
Homework: African American identity due
12/18/13 TRIAL: N-WORD (FINAL EXAM)