Fall 2014 - AFRAS 200
Composition & Research
Monday/Wednesday/Friday
Hepner Hall – Room 218
--Professor Ajani Brown
Office: AL (Arts & Letters) 360
Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays, 10:30-12:00 or By Appointment
Office Phone: (619)594-5341
Email: aabrown@mail.sdsu.edu
--Required Texts:
Robinson, Eugene. Disintegration: The Splintering of Black America. Print/Ebook
Lubiano, Wahneema. The House That Race Built. Print/Ebook
Raimes, Ann. Pocket Keys for Writers, 4th Edition or Newer. Print/Ebook
--Course Description:
This course explores conventions of nonfiction or expository writing through practical writing
exercises and close readings of recent expository writings in African Studies. We will examine a
variety of writing styles from argumentation, historical reflections, and memoirs to commentary
on media, literary criticism, and the arts. Practical exercises in close reading, writing and editing
are designed to train students in the mechanics of writing. This course is one of nine courses that
you will take in General Education Foundations. Foundation courses cultivate skills in
readings, writing, research, communication, computation, information literacy, and the use of
technology. They furthermore introduce you to basic concepts, theories and approaches in a
variety of disciplines in order to provide the intellectual breadth necessary to help you integrate
the more specialized knowledge gathered in your major area of study into a broader world
picture.
Communication and Critical Thinking:
Upon completing this area of your General Education Program, you will be able to: 1) Craft
well-reasoned arguments for specific audiences; 2) Analyze a variety of texts commonly
encountered in the academic setting; 3) Situate discourse within social, cultural and historical
contexts; and 4) Assess the relative strengths of arguments and supporting evidence. AFRAS 200
explores research strategies and uses readings
and media material from Africana Studies as writing models and opportunities for students to
consider ideas to help them develop cogent thoughts in a variety of essays.
Course Goal: To develop competency in the use of university level writing techniques.
Course Objective/Outcome: At the end of this course students should be able to critically read and
analyze a variety of texts on African American culture:
 Identify and discuss author thesis/hypothesis.

Demonstrate use of a variety of rhetorical strategies (descriptive, definition, personal
narrative, persuasive, explicative, etc.) in practical class exercises with specific prompts.

Evaluate controversial concepts embedded in a variety of African American texts.

Write a critical opinion essay about a controversial topic with major points of supporting
detail or illustration.

Use reflection as a way to engage thoughts through a reading/reaction log.

Use current research methodologies, apply class concepts and demonstrate ability to discuss
research findings in an interdisciplinary paper:
1. Use of multiple information sources
2. A clear thesis
3. One main argument
4. Adequately developed coherent and unified paragraphs
5. MLA documentation
Evaluation:
In order to access learning and to assist in developing an inner dialogue with the course content, you
will be responsible for a variety of assignments. Point allocations for each assignment are as follows:
Assignments:
In-Class Writings (300 Words) 4 x 25 points = 100
Text Reaction Papers (500 Words) 2 x 50 points = 100
Expository Essays (800 Words) 4 x 75 points = 300
______________________________________________
Total Points 10 x Assignments = 500
Grading Standards:
Option: Credit 300 points/No Credit 299 points and below
Grading Scale: Grades and Credit/no credit option
475-500 A
451-474 A425-450 B+
400-424 B
375-399 B350-374 C+
325-349 C
300-324 C275-299 D
275-Below F
Assignment Guidelines:
All out of class essays will be typed, doubled spaced, using Times Roman 12 point font, with
left/right and top/bottom margins of 1”. Papers are to be typed on one side only. A Title Page is not
required; however, include Your Name, Class Title (AFRAS 200), Professors Name (Brown) and the
Assignment Title (Expository Essay #1, 2, 3, or 4) on the first page, upper left hand corner.
Blackboard:
Additional readings and course updates will be posted to Blackboard. Alterations to the
instructional syllabus may happen, so consult a classmate if absent.
Academic Expectations:
This course will refer to topics from across the Africana Studies Department Curriculum and also
issues that touch courses from other disciplines. Some issues and socio-cultural dynamics have
no clearly defined answers. We will discuss these as a class. Let us respect each other’s thoughts.
Disagree academically if we must, but offer sound disputation in defense of a position.
Late Assignments:
Assignments must be handed in on time unless other arrangements have been made in advance
with the professor.
Attendance:
It is your responsibility to attend each class, unless otherwise excused. You are responsible for
all notes and missed work. “Partner-up” with someone and also use group members as resources,
especially if you have to miss class. If you want to succeed in this course, you will need to
attend regularly and actively participate.
Accessibility:
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. Your cooperation is appreciated.
Class Schedule:
Week 1: Introductions to the course
Week 2: Lecture: The Writing Process & Discussion: Disintegration - Chapter 1
Week 3: Discussion: Disintegration - Chapters 2 & 3
Brainstorm for Expository Essay #1
Week 4: Discussion: Disintegration - Chapters 4 & 5
In-Class Writing #1
Friday: 800 Word Expository Essay #1 Due
Week 5: Discussion: Disintegration - Chapters 6 & 7
View On-Topic Documentary/Film
Week 6: Discussion: Disintegration - Chapters 8 & 9
In-Class Writing #2
Week 7: Discussion: Disintegration - Chapter 10
Brainstorm for Expository Essay #2
Friday: 500 Word Text Response Due
Week 8: View On-Topic Documentary/Film
Discussion: The House That Race Built – Introduction by the author,
Home by Toni Morrison, The Liberal Retreat…by Stephen Steinberg
Friday: 800 Word Expository Essay #2 Due
Week 9: In-Class Writing #3
Discussion: The House That Race Built – White Workers, New Democrats...by David
Roediger, Tales of Two Judges by Neil Gotanda, Racial Dualism by Howard Winant
Brainstorm for Expository Essay # 3
Week 10: Discussion: The House That Race Built –
Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing by Kendall Thomas, Living at the Crossroads by
Rhonda Williams, What is Black Culture? By David Smith
Friday: 800 Word Expository Essay #3 Due
Week 11: View On-Topic Documentary
Discussion: The House That Race Built –
Playing for Keeps…by Robin Kelley, Black Nationalism…by W. Lubiano, Race and
Criminalization by Angela Davis
Week 12: Discussion: The House That Race Built –
The Ethnic Scarring…by Patricia Williams, Color Blindness…by Kimberle’
Crenshaw, Subjects in History...by Stuart Hall
Brainstorm Expository Essay #4
Week 13: Discussion: The House That Race Built – The Afterword by Cornel West
View On-Topic Documentary
Friday: 800 Word Expository Essay #4 Due
Week 14: In-Class Writing #4
Friday: 500 Word Text Response Due
Week 15: Finals Week – Open Office Hours