AMETH 160: Introduction to American Ethnic Studies

AMETH 160: Introduction to American Ethnic Studies

Kansas State University

Fall 2012, 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. & 1:05 – 2:20

1052 Durland/Rathbone

Instructor:

Office:

Phone:

Dr. Cheryl Ragar

3C Leasure Hall

785-532-6934 or 532-5738 (central office)

Email: cragar@ksu.edu

Office Hours: Tuesday/Thursdays, 2:45 – 4:00 p.m.

And especially by appointment

Course Description

This course will introduce you to the concepts of ethnicity, race, culture, dominant and minority power structures and to the ways in which such ideas have been constructed (and reconstructed) in the development of the United States. At the same time, we will explore how the notion of the nation itself has been equally influenced by the diverse ethnic groups that comprise the American population. We will pay special attention to the groups who shape the formation of the Midwest and examine the varieties of their experiences in the geographical spaces most familiar to many of us. Finally, we will briefly examine some current debates in

America that have long historical roots in our soil. We will undertake this examination through a combination of reading, writing, lecture, and small group projects.

When you have completed this course, you will gain the following two key learning outcomes:

1: Understanding one's ethnic identity and how it influences identity development.

2: Knowledge of diverse ethnic groups and their cultures.

Course Texts

Joseph F. Healey, Race, Ethnicity, Gender & Class (5th ed.)

Reserve Texts—available through K-State Online ( http://public.online.ksu.edu/ )

Additional Support Services

The Writing Center : 122D English/Counseling Services, offers free, one-on-one consulting services for writers within the K-State community. You may discuss your writing at any stage of the process.

Appointments can be made in person, or by calling the Writing Center at 532-2179. I highly encourage you to check out this service, no matter what your current skill level. We all are always becoming better writers!

Disability Support Services (DSS) : 202 Holton Hall, 785-532-6441, dss@ksu.edu

, coordinates accommodations and academic support services for students with permanent or temporary disabilities.

Students with disabilities are welcome in my classroom! Please talk to me if you have a disability and need particular accommodations. All such conversations are confidential.

"Any student with a disability who needs a classroom accommodation, access to technology or other academic assistance in this course should contact disability support services (dss@k-state.edu) and/or the instructor. Students who require assistance during an emergency evacuation should discuss their needs with their instructors and DSS. DSS serves students with a wide range of disabilities including, but not limited to, physical disabilities, sensory impairments, learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder, depression, and anxiety."

EXPECTATIONS and EVALUATION PROCEDURES

Being prepared for and attending class:

Attendance and participation in this class are mandatory. The kinds of critical thinking and writing skills we will practice together in this course require that we all be present, prepared, and engaged.

As your instructor (and guide), I feel a strong responsibility to do all I can to make this happen. In turn, as a participant in the class, I believe you maintain a responsibility to yourself and to your classmates to do your best in this effort. If I feel you are regularly not prepared, attending, or participating in the class at an appropriate level, I will let you know. You should let me know if I can do anything to help you. Your level of attendance and participation will be reflected in your final grade.

Academic Misconduct (cheating and plagiarism):

Plagiarism is cheating! It is unacceptable and could result in failing grades for individual assignments and an unwanted final course grade. Webster's New World Dictionary defines plagiarism as taking another person’s ideas or writings and presenting them as your own. Please, do not do this. If you are unsure about whether or not something you plan to submit to me is plagiarized, you might want to check out those doubts with me, either in person, over the phone, or via electronic mail, before assignment due dates.

Kansas State University has an Honor System based on personal integrity, which is presumed to be sufficient assurance that, in academic matters, one's work is performed honestly and without unauthorized assistance. Undergraduate and graduate students, by registration, acknowledge the jurisdiction of the Honor System. The policies and procedures of the Honor System apply to all full and part-time students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate courses on-campus, off-campus, and via distance learning. The honor system website can be reached via the following URL: www.ksu.edu/honor. A component vital to the Honor System is the inclusion of the Honor Pledge, which applies to all assignments, examinations, or other course work undertaken by students. The

Honor Pledge is implied, whether or not it is stated: "On my honor, as a student, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this academic work." A grade of XF can result from a breach of academic honesty. The F indicates failure in the course; the X indicates the reason is an Honor

Pledge violation.

Kansas State University is committed to a creating an environment free of harassment and discrimination. As a student here, you have rights and responsibilities to share in the creation of such a learning environment. More information about university policies may be found at http://courses.k-state.edu/catalog/undergraduate/regulations/ .

Statement Defining Expectations for Classroom Conduct

All student activities in the University, including this course, are governed by the Student Judicial

Conduct Code as outlined in the Student Governing Association By Laws, Article VI, Section 3, number 2. Students who engage in behavior that disrupts the learning environment may be asked to leave the class.

Evaluation:

I believe the process of learning is just as important as the attainment of the end outcome. In this course it will be vital that you both attend regularly and that you come to class fully prepared to participate. You MUST keep up with the assigned readings. Grades will be calculated as follows:

Participation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10%

For this portion of your grade I will assign points for class attendance, attendance at scheduled meetings with me outside of class time, preparation for class, participation in classroom discussion, and completion of in-class and outside, non-graded, writing and other assignments. Regular tardiness to class meetings will be noted and may result in deductions.

Extra credit points may be awarded for attendance of outside lectures and performances and/or for completion of additional projects if approved by me. I will let you know as these opportunities arise and will provide more information about the guidelines for earning points for these projects. Feel free to come to me with questions or suggestions about possible extra-credit projects at any time.

Quizzes & Exercises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15%

Quizzes will be random and (mostly) unannounced. Generally I use quizzes as incentive for you to keep up with your reading assignments. Exercises will be assigned to help focus your reading skills, and will be available online at KSOL. Please note all due dates: LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL NOT BE GIVEN CREDIT.

Examinations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 x 15% + 2 x 20% = 55%

Exams offer you the opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of material already covered. Each of the 3 exams will focus on material covered in that section, but may include information discussed in previous sections. The first exam will be worth 15%; the second and third will be worth 20% each.

Personal Ethnography & Brief Writing Exercises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20%

Full information about this assignment is available on K-State Online and will be discussed in class. In addition to the final essay, you will be required to complete assigned exercises that lead to a better final paper, and you will be required to participate in library training sessions. It is your responsibility to make sure you are signed up for and that you complete the library resource training.

Grading Scale: 90-100 = A; 80-89 = B; 70-79 = C; 60-69 = D; Below 60 = F.

ALL ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE COMPLETED TO PASS THIS COURSE.

Course Schedule

Please come to class prepared to discuss the readings assigned on the days listed.

Tuesday, 8/21: Let's get it started!

TEXTS: Principles of Community & Syllabus (online)

Introductions to me, each other, and to the material.

Thursday, 8/23: Ideas to Consider

TEXTS: Syllabus; Be sure to read and sign your Course Agreement, available on K-State

Online (KSOL) until next Thursday, 8/30.

LAYING THE GROUNDWORK

Tuesday, 8/28: Diversity in the United States: Questions and Concepts

TEXTS: Healey, Chap. 1

Thursday, 8/30:

Tuesday 9/4 : Assimilation and Pluralism: From Immigrants to White Ethnics


Thursday, 9/6:

Tuesday 9/11: Prejudice and Discrimination


Thursday, 9/13:

Tuesday, 9/18: Testing Your Knowledge!

EXAM #1

TRADITIONAL U.S. MINORITY GROUPS

Thursday, 9/20: The Development of Dominant-Minority Group Relations in Preindustrial

America: The Origins of Slavery


Tuesday, 9/25: Industrialization and Dominant-Minority Relations: From Slavery to Segregation and the Coming of Postindustrial Society


Thursday, 9/27:

Tuesday, 10/2: African Americans: From Segregation to Modern Institutional Discrimination and Modern Racism


Thursday, 10/4:

Tuesday, 10/9: American Indians: From Conquest to Tribal Survival in a Postindustrial Society


Thursday, 10/11:

Tuesday, 10/16: Testing Your Knowledge!

EXAM #2

Thursday, 10/18: Work Day on Personal Ethnography Assignment. Librarians will lead present and lead discussion.

Tuesday, 10/23: Hispanic Americans: Colonization, Immigration, and Ethnic Enclaves


Thursday, 10/25:

Tuesday, 10/30: Asian Americans: “Model Minorities”?


Thursday, 11/1:

CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES

Tuesday, 11/6: New Americans, Assimilation, and Old Challenges


Thursday, 11/8:

Tuesday 11/13: Minority Groups and U.S. Society: Themes, Patterns, and the Future


Thursday, 11/15: Testing Your Knowledge!

EXAM #3, Chap. 8, 9, 10 & 11

FALL BREAK!

Tuesday, 11/27: Exploring Topics

TEXTS: Chosen topics— Readings posted on K-State Online.

Thursday, 11/29: Exploring Topics


Tuesday, 12/4: Exploring Topics


Thursday, 12/6: Exploring Topics


PLEASE NOTE: This syllabus serves as a general guideline for the course and is subject to change throughout the semester. Changes will be announced in-class and posted to our course page at K-State Online. Once the changes have been announced, you are responsible for being prepared for posted changes.


Fall 2012

Class Schedule, Weeks 1 - 2

Tuesday, August 21 – Thursday, August 30

Tuesday, August 21

Introductions to me, each other, and to the material.



Look for "Course Agreement" online under “Assignments & Grades” due Wednesday,

August 29th, 5 p.m.

Thursday, August 23



Bring any questions about course expectations and materials with you!



Discussion of popular culture and notions of American diversity.

Tuesday, August 28

 Healey, Chap. 1, “Diversity in the United States: Questions and Concepts”

(p. 9-46)—please read by class time



Chapter 1 Online Exercise available online under “Files & Content.” Due by 11:30 a.m.,

Thursday, August 30.

Thursday, August 30



Finish discussion of Chapter 1, “Diversity in the United States: Questions and Concepts”



Chapter 1 Exercise due by 11:30 a.m.


Fall 2012


Tuesday, September 4 – Thursday, September 13

Tuesday, September 4

 Healey, Chap. 2, “Assimilation and Pluralism: From Immigrants to White Ethnics”

(p. 49-104)—please read by class time (especially p. 49-81)

 Chapter 2 Exercise available online under “Files & Content.”



Due by Thursday, Sept. 6, 11:30 a.m.

Thursday, September 6

 Finish discussion of Chapter 2, “Assimilation and Pluralism” (especially p. 81-102)

 Make sure to read “Assimilation, Then and Now,” p. 94-95 for discussion today!!





 Healey, Chap. 3, “Prejudice and Discrimination”

(p. 107-152)—please read by class time

 Chapter 3 Exercise available online under “Files & Content.”



Due by Thursday, Sept. 13, 11:30 a.m.


DR. RAGAR IS AWAY THIS DAY—NO IN-CLASS MEETING!!



Watch Eye of the Storm video, available under “Files & Content.” Only Chapters 1 and 2 of the video are required (though feel free to watch more!).




NOTE: EXAM #1 is scheduled for Tuesday, September 18!!


Fall 2012

Class Schedule, Weeks 5 – 6

Tuesday, September 18 – Thursday, September 27




EXAM #1: Covering Chapters 1 – 3 in Healey, plus any other material covered in class




Healey, Chap. 4, "The Development of Dominant-Minority Group Relations in Preindustrial

America: The Origins of Slavery," (p. 163-195) – please begin reading for class time

 Please read carefully “A Note on the Morality and the History of Minority Relations in

America,” p. 157-158 in the introduction of Part 2 of the book.

 Chapter 4 & 5 Exercise available online under "Files & Content.”


 Healey, Chap. 5, “Industrialization and Dominant-Minority Relations: From Slavery to

Segregation and the Coming of Postindustrial Society," (p. 201-239) – please read by class time



Remember to keep working on Chapter 4 & 5 Exercise—it is a long one!!




Wrap-up of Chap. 4 & 5



Chapter 4 Exercise & Chapter 5 Online "Quiz" due by class time.


Fall 2012

Class Schedule, Weeks 7 – 8

Tuesday, October 2 – Thursday, October 11

Tuesday, October 2



Healey, Chap. 6, "African Americans: From Segregation to Modern Institutional Discrimination and Modern Racism," (p. 249-296) – please read for class time



Chapter 6 Exercise available – due by 11:30 a.m., on Thurs., Oct. 4.

Thursday, October 4



Continue discussion of Healey, Chap. 6. Read Narrative Portrait 1 ("Bone Black," bell hooks,

260) and Current Debates: Should the U.S. Be Colorblind (289-293).



Chapter 6 Exercise due by 11:30 a.m. today.


 Healey, Chap. 7, “American Indians: From Conquest to Tribal Survival in a Postindustrial

Society," (p. 299-345) – please read by class time



Chapter 7 Exercise available -due by 11:30 a.m., Thurs., Oct. 11.




Continue discussion of Healey, Chap. 7. Read Narrative Portrait 1 ("Civilize Them With a



Stick," Mary Crow Dog, 306-07) and Narrative Portrait 2 ("An Indian View of White

Civilization," John Lame Deer, 326-27).



Fall 2012


Tuesday, October 16 – Thursday, October 25, 2012




EXAM #2 (Covering Healey Chapters 4-7, plus in-class materials--videos, etc.)




Discussion of library resources and personal ethnography paper—IMPORTANT

INFORMATION!!




Begin Reading: Healey, Chapter 8, "Hispanic Americans: Colonization, Immigration, and Ethnic

Enclaves," (p. 349-381)



Chapter 8 Exercise due by 11:30 a.m., Thursday, October 25.




Continue discussion of Healey, Chap. 8.



View and read articles in Time magazine available on KSOL.





Fall 2012


Tuesday, October 30 – Thursday, November 15, 2012




Healey, Chapter 9, "Asian Americans: "Model Minorities"? (p. 405-449)



Chapter 9 Exercise Online available. Due by 11:30 a.m. Thursday, November 1.

Thursday, November 1



Healey, Chapter 9, "Asian Americans: "Model Minorities"? (p. 405-449)



For class discussion: CURRENT DEBATES: Asian American "Success": What Are the

Dimensions, Causes, and Implications for Other Minority Groups? (p. 443-447)



Chapter 9 Exercise Online due by 11:30 a.m. today.

Tuesday, November 6



Healey, Chapter 10, "New Americans, Assimilation, and Old Challenges," (p. 461-494)



Chapter 10 Exercise Online available. Due by 11:30 a.m. Thursday, November 8.




Healey, Chapter 10, "New Americans, Assimilation, and Old Challenges," (p. 461-494)



Chapter 10 Exercise Online due by 11:30 a.m. today.

Tuesday, November 13



Healey, Chapter 11, "Minority Groups and U.S. Society: Themes, Patterns, and the

Future," (p. 499-513)



OPTIONAL: Chapter 11 Exercise Online—NOT REQUIRED.




EXAM #3: Chapters 8 – 11, and material covered in class.

Reminder: Annotated Bibliography is due on Thursday, November 29,

4:30 p.m. to mailbox in 3 Leasure.


Spring 2012 *

*These weeks not yet established for fall 2012.

Class Schedule, Weeks 14 – 16 (Finals Week)

Tuesday, April 24 – Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Tuesday, April 24



Exam Review, Annotated Bibliography & Personal Ethnography assignment discussion,

Preparation for final class meetings!



Annotated Bibliography due today by 4:30 p.m. to my mailbox in 3 Leasure (you

may bring it to me in class).

 Begin watching Kevin Willmott’s The Only Good Indian .

Thursday, April 26

 Finish watching Kevin Willmott’s

The Only Good Indian .

 http://www.vbtube.com/vbulletin4demo/youtube_browser.php?do=show&vidid=0QEpt0g9blg



Please come to class prepared to discuss these readings—this means everyone should be ready to talk. You should also expect quizzes during these class sessions to demonstrate that you have prepared.

Tuesday, May 1

Racial Profiling in 2012 (2 stories)

 http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/media/jan-june12/pulitzerap_04-17.html

 http://www.npr.org/2012/04/17/150827345/after-trayvon-congress-takes-up-racialprofiling



Please come to class prepared to discuss these readings—this means everyone should be ready to talk. You should also expect quizzes during these class sessions to demonstrate that you have prepared.

Thursday, May 3



WORK DAY: NO CLASS MEETING



I will be available during class time for individual meetings to answer questions or provide feedback. A sign-up sheet will be available outside my office (3 Leasure).

Wednesday, May 9



Personal Ethnography Paper due today by 4:30 to my office mailbox in 3 Leasure! I will accept early papers. I will ONLY accept HARD COPY versions of this paper

(no emails).



There is no final exam in this course (except your paper)!!

AMETH 160: Introduction to American Ethnic Studies

Reminder: Annotated Bibliography is due on Thursday, November 29,

4:30 p.m. to mailbox in 3 Leasure.

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AMETH 160: Introduction to American Ethnic Studies

Reminder: Annotated Bibliography is due on Thursday, November 29,

4:30 p.m. to mailbox in 3 Leasure.

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