Instructor:
Location:
Monday
EMAIL:
Office Hours:
AS Office:
Dr. Bonnie Reddick
AH-1112
4:00-6:40 PM
breddick@mail.sdsu.edu
By appointment only
(619) 594-6531
REQUIRED TEXTS/SUPPLIES
Course Reader
Cal Copy
Raimes, Ann.
Keys for Writers
CATALOG DESCRIPTION
Prerequisites: Satisfaction of the English Placement Test and Writing
Competency requirements. (See the Graduation Requirements
section of catalog.) Proof of completion of prerequisites required:
Copy of EPT or competency scores or verification of exemption; proof
of credit (Cr) in Rhetoric and Writing Studies 92A or 92B or 97, or notification
from the Department of Rhetoric and Writing Studies.
Not open to students with credit in Chicana and Chicano Studies 111B or English
100 or General Studies 260A or Linguistics 100 or Rhetoric and Writing Studies
100 or 101 or higher-numbered composition course.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Welcome to the Africana Studies 120 community of writers and critical thinkers.
In this course, you will be required to critically read and respond in writing to a
variety of texts. You will receive instruction and practice on various components
of academic writing. The emphasis will be on planning and composing essays in
a variety of forms, extensive revision, organization, and critical thinking.
COURSE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
This course is one of three courses that you will take in the General Education
area of Communication and Critical Thinking. Upon completing this area of our
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, generic, cultural, and historic
contexts; and 4) assess the relative strengths of arguments and supporting
evidence.
By the end of the semester, students will demonstrate their ability to think
critically, analyze issues about Africana people 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 cohesive argument
demonstrating knowledge of research techniques, documentation, organization,
and the mechanics of writing.
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.
GRADING:
Writing Assignments
“Where I’m From”
Character Scrapbook
My Hero
Editorial
Narrative Essay
Quiz
Journals
Midterm
Final
Attendance & Participation
TOTAL
35%
10%
10%
20%
20%
5%
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)
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
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.
WRITING
In addition to quizzes, journals, and writing assignments, formal essays will also
be required. All writing assignments, unless otherwise noted, must be submitted
to turnit.com in Blackboard. Additional information will be given as the semester
progresses.
We will utilize Writing Workshops to collaborate with one another to edit our
writing. Revision is an integral component of writing.
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.
REVISION
Revision is an important and mandatory aspect of this class. Revision is more
than editing an earlier draft of a paper. You must rethink what you’ve written and
improve on the work you have already done. You will use class discussions of
sample papers and peer responses received during workshops to revise your
essays.
WHERE I’M FROM
This is your opportunity to exercise your creative side. This exercise is designed
to help me and your cohorts learn a little more about you. Additional information
will be posted in Blackboard.
CHARACTER SCRAPBOOK
This project will be a character study of one of the characters in one of the
slave narratives we will read this semester. This study will take the form of a
scrapbook page. This project will be written in the first person, from the
characters point of view, incorporating information that is essential to
understanding your character and his or her life. You must also answer what
the contemporary reader can learn from your character. You must embody
your character. Everything you write should be in your character’ s voice.
Pay particular attention to diction, word choice, his/her age, and gender. Your
characterizations should be consistent with the time period. Additional details
and the rubric will be posted in Blackboard under Course Documents.
MY HERO
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. In addition, your findings should
have a thesis statement, and you should develop a central idea throughout the
essay. A rubric for the report will be posted on Blackboard for guidance.
You must also select one of the individuals we will read and discuss in the month
of October. Based upon your definition of “hero”, why does your selection best
exemplify your definition? Please use concrete detail from his or her reading 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.
EDITORIAL
An editorial is simply the writer’s opinion about a particular topic. Write an
authentic and candid opinion on the veracity of the use of the N-word. Should it
be used? Who should use it? Why do you take this position?
NARRATIVE ESSAY
Narratives tell a story. It describes what one sees, hears, smells, and feels about
a particular topic. Select either Jones, hooks or Walker’s reading. Do a very
close reading of the essay. Interview a Black woman about the central theme of
the essay you have selected. For example, if you select Jones, interview a Black
woman about the veracity of light skin versus dark skin. If you select hooks,
interview a Black woman about her hair choice. If you select Walker, interview a
Black mother about her life choices. You must record the name, age and
occupation of your participant; the number of times and duration of each
interview; questions asked and your participants’ response to each question.
Using the data collected, write a narrative essay, telling your participant’s story.
Help the reader visualize your participant and what she shares with you. Use
descriptive language. Please include a picture of your participant. Your essay
must be submitted to turitin.com by 4:00 PM on the Due Date. No late
submissions will be accepted.
QUIZZES
There may be a quiz, based on the assigned reading for that day, at the
beginning of each class session. You will be allotted 10 minutes to complete the
quiz. Quizzes may include true/false, multiple choice, short fill-in or short essays.
Quizzes cannot be made up.
JOURNALS
Periodically, you will be required to respond to one of the readings in a
meaningful way. Your journal must be a minimum of 250 words but cannot
exceed 350 words. Please use a 12-point font. Do not give a detailed
regurgitation of the essay/story, rather, respond to feelings, emotions or
questions that the reading stirred in YOU. Refer to the Tentative Course
Calendar for Due Dates. All journals must be posted to Blackboard by 4:00 PM
the date it’s due. Late Journals will not be accepted.
GRADING SYSTEM FOR JOURNALS
Journals are graded 5, 4, 3 or 0.
5 = meets the minimum/maximum word requirements; develops one
central theme; supports ideas with evidence from the text; well organized
and cogent, with minimal spelling, grammatical and mechanical errors.
4 = meets the minimum/maximum word requirements; develops one
central theme; supports ideas with evidence from the text; demonstrates
some organization and cogency; some spelling, grammatical and
mechanical errors.
3 = meets the minimum/maximum word requirements; does not have one
central idea; does not support ideas with evidence from the text;
regurgitates the story or essay; several spelling, grammatical and
mechanical errors.
0 = does not meet minimum/maximum word requirement; does not have
one central idea; does not support ideas with evidence from the text;
regurgitates the story or essay; does not exemplify a scholarly voice;
numerous spelling, grammatical and mechanical errors.
MIDTERM
The Midterm will be essay questions. Please bring a blue book.
FINAL
The Final Exam will be essay questions. Please bring a blue book.
EXTRA CREDIT
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, AS 341 will be
attending 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. Refer to the course calendar for the date. Write a one-page critique
of the service and discuss what you learned about African American culture.
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. AS 341 will visit the museum on Saturday, October 19, 2013 at 12
Noon. Meet me at the entrance. Professor Ambers will provide a tour and
worksheet that you must complete and turn in to me. This assignment is
mandatory.
ATTENDANCE
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.
CLASS 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.
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
Students who need accommodation of their disabilities should contact me
privately, to discuss specific accommodations for which they have received
authorization. If you need accommodation due to a disability, but have not
registered with Student Disability Services at 619-594-6473 (Calpulli Center,
Suite 3101), please do so before making an appointment to see me.
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.
TENTATIVE COURSE CALENDAR
08/26/13
INTRODUCTION TO COURSE
“Hidden Colors” - video
Review Syllabus
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT: “Where I’m From”.
HOMEWORK: http://library.sdsu.edu/guides/tutorial.php?id=16
print and turn in evidence of successful completion 9/16/13
09/02/13
LABOR DAY – NO CLASS
SLAVERY
09/09/13
“ROOTS”- video
Olaudah Equiano – “Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano”
Nat Turner – “Confessions of Nat Turner”
The Willie Lynch Letter
John Hope Franklin – “Slave Resistance”
LECTURE – Scrapbook Project
Where I’m From DUE
JOURNAL
QUIZ
9/16/13
“Unchained Memories” - video
Frederick Douglass – “Narrative of Frederick Douglass”
Harriet Jacobs – “Incidents in the Life of Harriet Jacobs”
Audre Lorde - “Transformation of Silence into Language and
Action”
Plagiarism homework DUE
LECTURE – FIVE PARAGRAPH ESSAY
JOURNAL
QUIZ
WORKSHOP – INTRODUCTION AND TENTATIVE
THESIS
9/22/13
EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY – BAYVIEW BAPTIST CHURCH
8AM SERVICE – 6134 BENSON AVENUE
9/23/13
“Sankofa” - video
William Wells Brown – “Narrative of William Wells Brown”
Elizabeth Keckley –
WORKSHOP – THREE PARAGRAPHS AND
CONCLUSION
JOURNAL
QUIZ
09/30/13
W.E.B. DuBois
Booker T. Washington
Audre Lorde – “The Master’s Tools Will Never Dismantle the
Master’s House”
DEBATE
10/07/13
MIDTERM – BRING A BLUE BOOK
SCRAPBOOK PROJECT DUE
10/14/13
Ida B. Wells Barnett
Maria Stewart
The Social Construction of Black Feminist Thought –
JOURNAL
QUIZ
10/19/13
EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY - AFRICAN MUSEUM
OLD TOWN – CASA DEL REY MORO AT 12 NOON
CONTEMPORARY ISSUES
10/21/13
Malcolm X – “Ballot or the Bullet”
Dr. MLK – Letter from a Birmingham Jail”
JOURNAL
QUIZ
10/28/13
Barack Obama – Race
Molefi Asant Jr – “Two Sets of Notes”
JOURNAL
QUIZ
11/11/13
VETERAN’S DAY - NO CLASS
11/18/13
Gloria Naylor – “Mommy, What Does N***** Mean?”
Zora Neale Hurston – “How it Feels to be Colored Me?”
Brent Staples – “Black Men in Public Spaces”
MY HERO DUE
JOURNAL
QUIZ
11/25/13
Clarisse Jones – “Light Skin Versus Dark Skin”
bell hooks – “Straightening Our Hair”
Gloria Ladson Billings – “I ain’t writin’ nutin’: Permission to Fail
And Demands to Succeed in Urban Classrooms”
JOURNAL
QUIZ
12/02/13
Alice Walker “In Search of Our Mother’s Gardens” and “Every
Day Use”
JOURNAL
QUIZ
12/09/13
Tribute to 2Pac
NARRATIVE ESSAY DUE
12/16/13
FINAL EXAM
BRING BLUE BOOK