Instructor:
Thursdays –
Office Hours:
Email:
Dr. Bonnie Reddick
4:00 – 6:40 PM ~ AH-1120
By Appointment Only ~ AL369
breddick@mail.sdsu.edu
REQUIRED TEXT:
Marabelle, M. and Mullings, L., Ed.
Raimes, A.
Let Nobody Turn Us Around, An African
American Anthology
Keys for Writers
WELCOME
Welcome to the Africana Studies 200 community of writers and critical thinkers.
This semester, we will examine a variety of African American literature produced
by people of African descent. We will explore a multitude of concepts, themes,
issues, and writers that define and advance the Africana literary tradition. We
will analyze social, political, economic, historical, cultural, and aesthetic contexts
that are a part of the Africana experience.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Development of intermediate expository writing skills and application of practical
research principles. Not open to students with credit in Chicana and Chicano
Studies 200 or English 200, or Linguistics 200, or Rhetoric and Writing 200.
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 cogent arguments, demonstrating his/her
knowledge of appropriate research techniques, MLA or APA documentation, and
overall organization.
By the end of the semester, students will demonstrate a comprehensive
understanding of the African world 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.
By the end of the semester, students will demonstrate their ability to describe
and apply basic steps in completing a research paper; evaluate source materials
critically; and incorporate scholarly analysis in concert with the source materials.
GRADING:
Library Scavenger Hunt
Quizzes
Research Paper Assignments
Research Proposal
Annotated Bibliography
Research Paper Outline
Research Paper Draft
Research Paper Final
Observations
Research Presentation
Attendance and Participation
TOTAL POINTS
10%
20%
35%
10%
15%
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 will be necessary for quizzes, homework,
essays, exams, and class discussions.
WRITING
In addition to quizzes and writing assignments, two (2) short essays will be
required. Additional information will be given as the semester progresses.
Students agree that by taking this course all required papers would 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.
You will learn two methodological approaches to research this semester:
autoethnography and a literature review. All class discussions and exercises are
designed to familiarize you with both approaches and to give you practical
experience in the autoethnographic process.
LIBRARY SCAVENGER HUNT
Each student must complete the Library Scavenger Hunt. This exercise is
designed to familiarize each student with specific African American resources
available in the Library, along with additional library services. This exercise must
be completed on the date detailed on the Course Calendar. If you are absent,
you CANNOT make up this assignment.
QUIZZES
You may have a quiz on the weekly reading. The quiz may be True/False,
Multiple choice or short fill ins. You will be given 10 minutes to complete the
quiz. THERE WILL BE NO MAKE UPS.
AUTOETHNOGRAPHY
Autoethnography is an academic process by which a scholar positions him or
herself in the center of the research and analysis and transparently uses his or
her life experiences to interpret the data. In addition, autoethnography invites
alternative mediums for reporting the data, such as storytelling, poetry, pictures,
and performance.
OBSERVATIONS
Each student will conduct two observations and write up the findings:
Interview classmate
Each student will interview one of his/her classmates. Each student will
take copious notes of what his/her partner says and detail the
surroundings. The student will write up his/her findings. Your findings are
limited to one typed page. Each student will share his/her findings and
your cohorts will critique you.
African Museum visit
Each student must visit the African Museum, Casa Del Moro. It is located
at 2471 Congress Street, in Old Town. It is open every day, except
Wednesday, from 10:30 AM – 7:00 PM. The fee is $4.00 – CASH ONLY.
Complete the tour. Select one of the artifacts and write about it. Why did
you select it? Describe what it looks like. What did you learn about it?
Your write up is limited to one page, double-spaced. Take a picture of
you with your artifact and submit it with your write up to turnitin.com.
RESEARCH PAPER ASSIGNMENTS
Each student will produce a research paper on a randomly assigned Civil Rights
Movement participant. You must cover biographic information, including
childhood experiences, education, how he or she became involved in the
movement, and his or her specific contribution. You must include a childhood
and adulthood picture. The research paper should be 7-10 pages.
A research paper is more than a summary of information you’ve collected about
a particular topic. It is more than a review of the literature. A research paper, in
addition to including a summary of relevant research, it provides an analysis and
commits to a position; it uses the research to support the writer’s own unique
perspective
Research papers are produced across the disciplines. For example, attorneys
review various cases to use them in support of their case. A history scholar may
review archival documents, like newspaper articles, videos, journals, and/or
interview individuals who may be participants or have knowledge of a particular
event, to draw his or her conclusions, and offer his or her own unique
perspective.
Each of you will produce a research paper. You will collect a variety of
documents, i.e., journal articles, books, newspaper articles, videos, etc. to assist
you in supporting your thesis and offering your perspective.
Research Proposal
Each of you will submit a research proposal. The research proposal will detail
your topic and your research question. Your research question is very important.
It cannot be too broad or narrow, but it needs to be specific enough for you to
investigate within our time constraints.
Annotated Bibliography
An annotated bibliography is a list of citations to books, articles, and documents.
Each citation is followed by a brief (usually about 150 words) descriptive and
evaluative paragraph. The purpose of the annotation is to detail the relevance,
accuracy, and quality of the sources cited.
Locate and record citations to books, periodicals, and documents that may
contain useful information and ideas on your topic. Briefly examine and review
the actual items. Then choose those works that provide a variety of perspectives
on your topic.
Cite the book, article, or document using the appropriate style.
Write a concise annotation that summarizes the central theme and scope of the
book or article. Include one or more sentences that (a) evaluate the authority or
background of the author, (b) comment on the intended audience, (c) compare
or contrast this work with another you have cited, or (d) explain how this work
illuminates your bibliography topic.
Research Paper Outline
The Research Outline should include the tentative thesis statement and core
topic areas.
Research Paper Draft
When a rough draft is noted on the course calendar, you will be assigned a
partner. You must upload a copy of your rough draft to Google Docs, one week
prior to the due date. You will critique your partners paper and workshop it on
the date noted on the calendar.
Research Paper Final
You will have a number of opportunities to workshop your paper to produce a
quality final draft. Your final paper must be uploaded into turnitin.com by 4:00
PM on the due date.
ADDITIONAL THINGS TO THINK ABOUT AS YOU’RE WRITING:
o THESIS
Your thesis statement is the anchor of your argument, and it is the
idea from which all other ideas emanate. It is an informed
argument that is focused, succinct, and easily identified.
o RESEARCH and DOCUMENTATION
Your analysis should be rooted in primary source documentation
(journals, newspapers, books, etc.) that supports your argument.
Your research may also include secondary sources, what scholars
and others say about your participant. All sources should be
properly and appropriately cited.
o ORGANIZATION
The key to constructing a rigorous and scholarly argument is
organization. I’d recommend taking the time to outline your ideas
and linking them to the concrete detail (evidence) and commentary
(your opinion) that you will use to support your thesis. Your paper
should have an introduction, supporting body paragraphs and a
conclusion. Your argument should have a logical flow, and it should
clearly transition from one idea to the next.
o GRAMMAR/MECHANICS/STYLE
No matter how engaging your argument and effective your
organization, if the grammar, spelling, and punctuation are poor, it
will inevitably result in a lower grade.
Each student must submit his/her research proposal, which must be reviewed
and approved by the professor. In addition, each student must submit a
bibliography of potential sources.
o REVISION
Revision is an integral component of good writing. When you
revise, you should go beyond editing the paper for grammar,
punctuation and spelling. Critique the veracity of your argument
and substance of the evidence you’ve used to support it. Does your
argument make sense and did you support it
FINAL PRESENTATION - Documentary
Each student will present the findings of his/her research in the form of a
documentary. Simply, a documentary is designed to instruct or maintain a
historical record about a particular event. You can produce a short film or a
power point presentation.
ATTENDANCE/PARTICIPATION
Participation in this class is essential. We will make it our practice to engage in
the art of conversation. Each of you will be responsible for initiating and
responding to questions and observations. Conversations will occur in small and
large group discussions.
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.
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 I cannot provide accommodations based upon disability until I
have received 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.
3.
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.
4.
No cell phones or other electronic equipment may be operated in class.
Do not surf the Internet or text message a friend. You are welcome to
use your computers to record notes, but please do not surf the
Internet.