AFRICANA STUDIES 455
Class, Gender, Ethnicity and Sexuality
Instructor: Dr. Bonnie Reddick
Email: breddick@mail.sdsu.edu
Office Hours: By Appointment Only
Office Location: Arts and Letters 369
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course examines the ways in which class, gender, ethnicity and sexuality converge
and diverge to impact the lives of Africana people. The material will interrogate the
unique experiences of both Black women and Black men from various positionallities.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. Demonstrate verbally and in writing an understanding of the effects that class,
gender, ethnicity and sexuality have on the lives of Black men and women.
2. Clearly distinguish verbally and in writing how such factors have similar and
dissimilar realities.
3. Critically analyze research and theoretical perspectives of others that have
written on these topics.
4. Creatively present the research of other scholars while critiquing the veracity of
the scholarship’s value in the quest to better understand the nuances of Black
reality.
5. Write and present a cohesive argument demonstrating knowledge of research
COURSE GOALS
1. Critique the intersectionality of class, gender, ethnicity and sexuality by reading a
variety of text.
2. Critically analyze how class, gender, ethnicity and sexuality shaped and informed
by public policy by watching documentaries and films.
3. Elevate each student’s scholarly voice through rigorous and academic dialogue.
REQUIRED TEXT
1. Collins, P.H., (2004). Black Sexual Politics: African Americans, Gender, and the
New Racism. New York: Routledge.
2. Readings on Blackboard
GRADING
“Where I’m From”
5%
Critical Autobiographical Portfolio
40%
Critical Autobiographical Presentation
20%
Quizzes
20%
Attendance & Participation
15%
TOTAL
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 will be necessary for quizzes, homework, essays, and class
discussions, and it should be completed before each class.
“WHERE I’M FROM”
Write an original poem or prose that describes your perspective on Class, Gender,
Ethnicity and Sexuality. Submit it to turnitin.com by 4:00 PM on the due date, and be
prepared to share it with your cohorts. In addition, include a copy in your
autobiographical portfolio.
CRITICAL AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL PORTFOLIO
An autobiography is an introspective reflection of your life, and the events, people and
circumstances that have had a part in shaping your worldview. You are emerging
scholars. To that end, an academician is cognizant of the veracity of seminal and
emerging scholarship on the subject matter that they are critiquing. In this case, through
the course readings, documentaries, movies, and rigorous class discussions, you will
reflect on how this scholarship comports with, diverges from, or awakens your
understanding of class, gender, ethnicity and sexuality. Your introspective musings are
dynamic, and as the semester progresses, it is my expectation that they will evolve.
Your autobiographical musings are much more than writing about your personal
experience. Rather, you will include what you’ve learned, properly integrating concrete
detail from the scholarship we explore, into your writings. It is vitally important that you
critique, question, and analyze the salient scholarship and how your life experience is
shaped and informed by it. You may not agree with what you read, see, or hear, but I
am asking that you remain open, question, and explore your disagreement, and then
expound on it in your musings.
Your autobiographical portfolio must contain the following:

3-5 pages that explore your perspective on class, gender, ethnicity, and sexuality
before you engage in the texts for this course. This is an Africana Studies
course. We will view the scholarship through an Afrocentric lens. For any
students who are not Black, you are required to examine your perspective based
on your experiences with Africana people. Some of the questions you should
address are: how has your family dynamics shaped how you feel about being a
middle-class, heterosexual, Black, female? How do you feel about racism,
sexism, and classism? How specifically has your schooling experiences shaped
how you feel about class, gender, ethnicity, and sexuality? How about the
neighborhood you grew up in or your social relationships? How does what you
view on television, the Internet, in magazines and books, or hear on the radio
shape how you feel about class, gender, ethnicity and sexuality? Submit it to
turnitin.com by the due date and include it in your portfolio.

After each class, write an introspective reflection of your thoughts on the
readings, class discussion, including any movies or videos, including citing
specific examples, which are properly cited, from the readings to support your
position. Each entry should have a title that reflects what was read and discussed
that day. Each reflection should be a minimum of two (2) pages, but no more
than four (4) pages.

Each entry must use one of the concepts/ideologies that we’re discussing and
apply it to a contemporary medium, i.e., television, news, or movie. The
contemporaneous critique must be one page. You must make direct connections
to the readings and properly cite them. Please note the course calendar for
which medium to critique on the scheduled weeks.

Your entries will be evaluated based on the veracity and authenticity of your
argument, using specific concrete details and/or examples from the readings,
discussion or media, each of which is properly cited; organization, cogency, and
mechanics.

I will do a mid-semester spot check on your portfolio. This check will be graded
on number of entries and adherence to the project details. The due date is
detailed on the course calendar.

The Final submittal due date is detailed on the course calendar.
CRITICAL AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL PRESENTATION
Prepare a presentation that highlights 2-3 points that you’ve learned throughout the
semester. Where did you start? Where are you now? Your presentation cannot exceed
10 minutes.
QUIZ
I may give a quiz at the beginning of class. The quiz may be True/False, short fill ins,
multiple choice and/or short essays.
ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION
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 and change your absence to a tardy. No absence will be changed after
the day you come late.
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.
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. Note: Excessive tardies will significantly reduce
your course grade.
CHEATING/PLAGARISIM
“Cheating shall be defined as the act of obtaining or attempting to obtain credit for
academic work by the use of dishonest, deceptive, or fraudulent means. Examples of
cheating include, but are not limited to (a) copying, in part or in whole, from another’s
test or other examination; (b) discussing answers or ideas relating to the answers on a
test or other examination without the permission of the instructor; (c) obtaining copies of
a test, an examination, or other course material without the permission of the instructor;
(d) using notes, cheat sheets, or other devices considered inappropriate under the
prescribed testing condition; (e) collaborating with another or others in work to be
presented without the permission of the instructor; (f) falsifying records, laboratory work,
or other course data; (g) submitting work previously presented in another course, if
contrary to the rules of the course; (h) altering or interfering with the grading
procedures; (i) plagiarizing, as defined; and (j) knowingly and intentionally assisting
another student in any of the above.
2.2 Plagiarism shall be defined as the act of
incorporating ideas, words, or specific substance of another, whether purchased,
borrowed, or otherwise obtained, and submitting same to the University as one’s own
work to fulfill academic requirements without giving credit to the appropriate source.
Plagiarism shall include but not be limited to (a) submitting work, either in part or in
whole, completed by another; (b) omitting footnotes for ideas, statements, facts, or
conclusions that belong to another; (c) omitting quotation marks when quoting directly
from another, whether it be a paragraph, sentence, or part thereof; (d) close and lengthy
paraphrasing of the writings of another; (e) submitting another person’s artistic works,
such as musical compositions, photographs, paintings, drawings, or sculptures; and (f)
submitting as one’s own work papers purchased from research companies.
Academic and Punitive Sanctions: Cheating and plagiarism in connection with the
academic program at The University may warrant two separate and distinct courses of
disciplinary action that may be applied concurrently in response to a violation of this
policy: (a) academic sanctions, such as grade modifications; and (b) punitive sanctions,
such as probation, suspension, or expulsion. Academic sanctions are concerned with
the student’s grades and are the responsibility of the instructor involved. Punitive
sanctions are concerned with the student’s records and status on campus and shall be
the responsibility of the University President or designated representative. The
Coordinator of Judiciary Procedures shall be the President’s representative in matters of
student discipline.”
http:/senate.sdsu.edu/policy/pfacademics.html
ACCOMMODATION OF DISABILITY
If you are a student with a disability and believe you will need accommodations
for this class, it is your responsibility to contact Student Disability Services
at (619) 594-6473. To avoid any delay in the receipt of your
accommodations, you should contact Student Disability Services as soon as
possible. Please note that accommodations are not retroactive, and that
accommodations based upon disability cannot be provided until you have
presented your instructor with an accommodation letter from Student Disability
Services.
OTHER COURSE POLICIES
1
Treat other students and me with respect. Students are expected to refrain
from behavior that interferes with the learning of other students.
2.
Come to class prepared. If you are absent, you are still responsible for
completing the readings and any homework assigned during your absence.
3.
Complete all work 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.
4.
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.
5
No cell phones, pagers, or other electronic equipment may be operated in
class. Please do not use text messaging during class. If you use a laptop to
take notes, please do not surf the Internet during class.
6.
The Course Calendar is tentative and is subject to change.