Subject to change—D.E.Fischer
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AFRS 310
Anthropology of Blackness
Meets Tuesdays & Thursdays from 11am to 12:15pm in BUS 138
Instructor: Dr. D-E. Fischer
Office Hours: Wed. 1pm to 3pm
Office: Bldg. E/P, Room 210
Office phone: 415-338-1726
Email: def@sfsu.edu
Website: http://userwww.sfsu.edu/~def
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/blackanthro4sfsu
TAs: Adam Mehis sfseth0503@yahoo.com
Imani Williams: imani2b@yahoo.com
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course examines anthropological theory, research and practice that relates to
constructions of blackness as well as African-diasporic identities. African-diasporic
contributions to anthropology as well as anthropological research and theory
concerning Africana identities will be explored.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
In this course, students will:
1. Research key concepts and key terms associated with anthropologies of blackness
2. Analyze research design and methodological interventions concerning studies of
African-diasporic communities and identities
3. Examine major theories in anthropology that frame studies of race and culture
4. Explore major ethnographies that investigate traditional and contemporary trends
concerning anthropologies of blackness
COURSE MATERIALS
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Required Readings and Textbooks
1. R. Lavenda & E. Schultz. 2006. Core Concepts in cultural Anthropology. 3rd
Edition. McGraw Hill.
2. Harrison, Faye and Ira Harrison. 1999. African American Pioneers in
Anthropology. Champagne-Urbana: University of Illinois Press.
3. All other required reading for the course are available on iLearn
(https://ilearn.sfsu.edu/login/index.php).
Suggested Books
1. Brown, Jacqueline Nassy. 2005. Dropping Anchor, Setting Sail: Geographies
of Race in Black Liverpool.
2. Diop, Cheikh Anta. [1981] 1991. Civiliation or Barbarism: An Authentic
Anthropology. Lawrence Hill Books.
3. Drake, St. Clair. 1990. Black Folk Here and There (Volumes 1 & 2). CAAS:
UCLA Press.
4. Du Bois, WEB (with Isabel Eaton). 1899. Philadelphia Negro. University of
Pennsylvania Publication. ((other versions from 1899 include New York:
Lippincot; recommended version is with L. Bobo introduction— [1899]2007,
Oxford University Press))
5. Fikes, Kesha. 2008. Managing African Portugal: The Citizen-Migrant
Distinction. University of Chicago Press.
6. Harrison, Faye. 2008. Outsider Within: Reworking Anthropology in the
global Age. University of Illinois Press.
7. Hurston, Zora Neal. [1935] 1990. Mule sand Men. Harper Perennial.
8. Jackson, John L. 2001. Harlem World: Doing Race and Class in
Contemporary Black America. University of Chicago Press.
9. McClaurin, Irma, ed. 2001. Black Feminist Anthropology: Politics, Poetics,
Praxis. Rutgers University Press.
10. Morgan, Marcyliena. 2008. The Real Hiphop: Battling for Knowledge, Power
and Respect in the Underground. Duke University Press.
11. Trouillot, Michel Rolph. 2003. Global Transformations: Anthropology and
the Modern World. Palgrave-MacMillan.
12. Ulysse, Gina. 2007. Downtown Ladies: Informal Commercial Importers, a
Haitian Anthropologist and Self-Making in Jamaica. University of Chicago Press.
13. Williams, Brackette. 1991. Stains on My Name, War in My Veins: Guyana
and the Politics of Cultural Struggle. Duke University Press.
Course Websites
iLearn website: https://ilearn.sfsu.edu/login/index.php
Professor Fischer’s faculty website: http://userwww.sfsu.edu/~def
American Anthropological Association website: http://aaanet.org
Association of Black Anthropologists website:
http://www.associationofblackanthropologists.org/
Films (available at Academic Technology & to be
sampled in class):
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Jaguar
Race: the Power of Illusion
Nai! the Story of a K!ung Woman
Ocoee: Legacy of the Election Day Massacre
Color Adjustment
Nice Coloured Girls
This is the Life
The Cows of Dolo Ken Paye
Nihon Style
Raíces de mi corazón (=Roots of My Heart)
+Others
COURSE REQUIREMENTS & GUIDELINES
Class Participation
Class participation grades are based upon attendance, the quality of your class
presentation(s) and your regular participation in class.
Attendance
Attendance is expected and essential. Attendance is considered part of class
participation and will be monitored with a sign-in system. An absence motivated by
severe illness or extreme emergency will be counted as an excused absence. Students
will be asked to provide documentation. Students missing class should notify the
TAs via e-mail or by submitting a paper notice to Instructor mailboxes (E/P, Room
103).
Class Conduct Guidelines
Class Participation
Class participation grades are based upon attendance, the quality of your class
presentation(s) and your regular participation in class.
Attendance
Attendance is expected and essential. Attendance is considered part of class
participation and will be monitored with a sign-in system. An absence motivated by
severe illness or extreme emergency will be counted as an excused absence. Students
will be asked to provide documentation. Students missing class should notify the
TAs via e-mail or by submitting a paper notice to Instructor mailboxes (E/P, Room
103).
Class Conduct Guidelines

Class discussion is essential. The “R.O.P.E.S.” (Respect, Openness,
Participation, Enthusiasm, Sensitivity) will serve as a guideline for all class
discussion. The “R” for RESPECT includes TURNING OFF CELL
PHONE RINGERS while class is in session. Also, I expect you to refrain
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from leaving class to answer phone cell phone calls. The “S” for
SENSITIVITY includes being able to work cooperatively in groups as well as
being sensitive to the diverse life experiences represented by fellow students.
Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Therefore, all submitted work during the
course shall be the student's original work, with credit being given to any
sources used. Violating this premise will affect evaluations of work
submitted, and if necessary, adjudication will be processed by procedures
according to San Francisco State University guidelines.
There may be periodic “pop” quizzes concerning assigned readings and films.
Students are encouraged to complete readings prior to class meeting times.
The evaluation of these “pop” quizzes will be computed into students’ final
class participation grades.
Students requesting classroom accommodations or disability resources are
encouraged to contact the instructor about appropriate accommodations.
Please do not hesitate to approach your Instructor concerning these matters.
The Instructor reserves the right to adjust course material as needed.
** ASSIGNMENTS**
1. Weekly Reading Raconteurs
A raconteur is one who tells stories and anecdotes with skill and wit. Students will
lead discussion of students’ reading responses at least once during the semester, thus
serving as the class raconteur for that day. The Raconteur assignment 15% of your
grade. The assignment will be graded on whether or not it is clear that the student
has read the reading and provided critical feedback. That is, students should assess
the readings’ strengths and weaknesses as well as summarize the work. Relating the
works’ usefulness to one’s own research agenda is encouraged and rewarded.
2. Weekly Pioneer Synopsis
Each week a student or group of students will provide a synopsis of the life and work
of a pioneer of African American Anthropology. The use of electronic media is
expected and required for this presentation. Students may be creative how they
choose to represent the pioneer. They must at least have a picture, a brief
biographical statement and a list of publications by that pioneer. Student may
construct a Myspace page, a website, a short video or slideshow presentation, or
another form of digital media that is cleared by the instructing professor. The
students will guide colleagues through there construction at the beginning of class
each week.
3. Mid-Term
As participants in AFRS 310 you are required to do 15 weeks of critical reading,
thinking, and writing. The process of critical inquiry will culminate in an in-class
mid-term exam. The midterm examination will consist of a variety of multiple choice
questions, and possibly one or two short essay questions.
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4. Final Presentation or Paper ((change to an oral history project))
All students will conduct their own research on a topic related to the anthropology of
blackness. Oral histories of practicing anthropologists or individuals who are
associated with the history of SFSU’s Department of Africana Studies are
encouraged. Students may choose to present the findings of their work in a final
presentation or a final paper format. All final presentations and papers will include
an electronic representation of work using a 3-5 minute digital video presentation.
Those choosing final presentations may work in groups that are cleared by the
professor. Ethical considerations must be adhered to in this research. All study topics
must be cleared by the professor.
Final Presentation Option
The FINAL PRESENTATION option is a presentation that reflects research
towards an oral history collected during the course. All topics must be cleared by the
professor by November 11. Students must meet in person with the professor during
office hours to discuss details of research project and presentation.
1. The presentation should have the following sections:
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)
F)
Introduction of argument
Historical situation or necessary context of research topic
Literature review of texts that support one’s theoretical framework
Explanation of methods used to gather data
Data Analysis
Concluding remarks
2. FINAL PRESENTATIONS will be presented to the class on December 211. Presenters not ready to present during their assigned time will receive a
zero grade.
3. Support materials, such as power point presentation files, must be turned into
the professor. Students are encouraged to be creative and incorporate aspects
of video technology, audio, visual, or digital storytelling, power point,
photographs, and/or performance.
Final Paper Option
The FINAL PAPER option is a research composition that reflects anthropological
research and/ or an oral history project conducted during the course. All topics must
be cleared by the professor by November 11. Students wishing to write papers must
meet in person with the professor during office hours to discuss details of paper and
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research projects. Papers must be accompanied by an electronic file of the digital
video outlining their research projects.
4. The paper should have the following sections:
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)
F)
Introduction of argument
Historical situation or necessary context of research topic
Literature review of texts that support one’s theoretical framework
Explanation of methods used to gather data
Data Analysis
Concluding remarks
5. The FINAL PAPER is due in class on December 2. Late papers will be
marked down and will not be accepted a week after the deadline is past.
Email submissions will not be accepted. Be sure to keep a copy for yourself.
6. The paper should be 8-10 double-spaced pages in length, follow standard
academic guidelines regarding font and margin sizes, and include references
cited according to academic style guides (e.g., AAA style).
5. Quizzes and Other Assignments
Periodic quizzes and assignments will be given to help prepare students for the
midterm and final project/ paper. The quizzes will take place in “pop quiz” format,
and will generally consist of one or two short answer questions during the class
meeting period. Assignment guidelines will be posted on iLearn during the course.
These assignments are designed to help students prepare and complete necessary
work for optimal performance on the midterm and final project/ paper. These items
will be graded on a pass/fail basis and the points will be added to the final class
participation grade.
***Students are required to check our public Myspace page & students are also
required to check iLearn on a weekly basis. Myspace checks will be monitored by the
weekly posting of class related comments about assigned readings by students. The
instructors can monitor student logins to iLearn independently. Failure to check
Myspace and iLearn on a weekly basis will weaken one’s class participation score.
There are several computer labs on campus including two on the first floor of the
Ethnic studies and Psychology Building. *** www.myspace.com/blackanthro4sfsu
Students are required to print ALL course readings from ilearn by the
second week of class. Students experiencing financial hardship may
contact the course TAs and Instructor for support in completing this
assignment. Students are expected to bring ALL readings in a binder
with the course syllabus by September 4.
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Extra Credit
Student may gain extra credit if they attend and/or participate as a volunteer with
the Association of Black Anthropologists’ proceedings during the annual American
Anthropological Association Meetings in San Francisco November 19-23 at the SF
Hilton and Towers Hotel. Please see the AAA website for more information:
http://www.aaanet.org. Details will be given in class as well.
Grading Policy
Class Participation…………………………………………15%
Weekly Reading Raconteurs…………….………………..10%
Weekly Pioneer Synopsis………………………………….10%
Mid-Term…………………………………………………..30%
Final Project or Paper……………………………………..35%
Grading Scale
94-100 A
90-93 A87-89 B+
84-86 B
80-83 B77-79 C+
74-76 C
70-73 C67-69 D+
64-66 D
60-63 D59-below F
COURSE SCHEDULE
Week One_ Introduction to the Course: Anthropology and the Black
Experience, Part One
 August 26, 2008 & August 28, 2008
Assignment
1. Email the professor and course TAs the results of your quiz taken on the
Understanding Race website.
Required Reading
1. Explore these websites: www.understandingrace.org & www.aaanet.org
2. Be sure to read the AAA Statement on “Race” @:
http://www.aaanet.org/stmts/racepp.htm
3. Be sure to read the AAA Statement on Ethics & Statement on Ethnography &
IRB @:
http://www.aaanet.org/stmts/irb.htm
http://www.aaanet.org/committees/ethics/ethcode.htm
Heads up: You could be quizzed over the Statements
Don’t forget to do your homework! Read the online articles & print your iLearn
readings! Be prepared. Excel & be great!
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Week Two_ Introduction to the Course: Anthropology and the Black
Experience, Part Two
September 2, 2008
Assignment
Weekly Pioneer: St. Clair Drake
Required Reading
1. Anthropology and the Black Experience by St. Clair Drake
September 4, 2008
In class Film (Jaguar) & Discussion of Drake Reading… BINDER REVIEW DAY!!!
BRING READINGS!!!!!!
Week Three_Pioneers
September 9, 2008
Assignment
Weekly Pioneer: Zora Neal Hurston
Film: N!ai The Story of a K!ung Woman
Required Reading
Du Bois from Philadelphia Negro (selections)
September 11, 2008
Required Reading
Hurston from Mules and Men (selections)
Week Four_Race: An Invention & Agenda
September 16, 2008
Assignment
Weekly Pioneer: W. Montague Cobb
Film: Race: The Power of illusion
Required Reading
1. Harrison from Pioneers (selections)
September 18, 2008
Required Reading
1. Baker from From Savage to Negro (selections)
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Week Five_Introducing Diaspora
September 23, 2008
Assignment
Weekly Pioneer: Katherine Dunham
Film: Nice Coloured Girls
Required Reading
1. Drake from Black Folk Here and There (selections)
2. Hamilton from Conceptualizing the African Diaspora (Clarke, ed.)
September 25, 2008
Required Reading
1. Dropping Anchor, Setting Sail by Jacqueline Brown
Week Six_Race and Its Intersecting Identifications
September 30, 2008
Assignment
Weekly Pioneer: Caroline Bond Day
Film: Color Adjustment
Required Reading
Jackson from Harlem World (selections) & McClaurin from Black Feminist
Anthropology (selections)
October 2, 2008
Required Reading
African Presence in Former Soviet Spaces by Kesha Fikes (w/ Alaina Lemon)
Week Seven_Race and Research Design, Part One
October 7, 2008
Assignment
Weekly Pioneer: William S. Willis, Jr.
Film: Ocoee
Required Reading
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Ulysse from Downtown Ladies (selections)
October 9, 2008
Required Reading
Ulysse from Downtown Ladies (selections)
Week Eight_ Race and Research Design, Part Two
October 14, 2008
Film: This is the Life
Assignment
Weekly Pioneer: Ellen Irene Diggs
Required Reading
Morgan from The Real Hiphop (selections)
October 16, 2008
Required Reading
Enoch Page (selections)
Week Nine_Midterm and Mid-Course Review
October 21, 2008
Assignment
Weekly Pioneer: Allison Davis
Required Reading: None new. Review for Midterm
October 23, 2008 ******** IN-CLASS MIDTERM*************
Week Ten_Theorizing Blackness, Part One
Assignment
Weekly Pioneer: Eliot Skinner
October 28-30, 2008
Required Reading
Harrison from Outsider Within (selections)
Week Eleven_ Theorizing Blackness, Part Two
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November 4-6, 2008
Assignment
Weekly Pioneer: Louis Eugene King
Required Reading
Williams from Stains on My Name (selections)
Week Twelve_ Theorizing Blackness, Part Three
November 11-13, 2008 (No class meeting on Tuesday November 11—SFSU holiday)
Assignment
Weekly Pioneer: Hubert B. Ross (present on 11/13/08)
Required Reading
Diop (selections)
Week Thirteen_The End of Culture? The End of Race?
November 18-20, 2008
Assignment
Weekly Pioneers: Arthur Huff Fauset & Laurence Foster
Required Reading
Trouillot from Global Transformations (selections)
Week Fourteen_ Contemporary Ethnography (NO IN CLASS MTG)
November 25-27, 2008
Reading
thomas-houston (selections)
Week Fifteen_The Future of Ethnography: Final Project Presentations
Assignment: FINAL PROJECTS DUE!!! SEE SIGN UP SHEET FOR SCHEDULE.
December 2-4, 2008
Week Sixteen_ Final Review & Evaluations
December 9-11, 2008
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SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
University Policies and Resources
Learning Environment and Academic Integrity
Accommodation
“Academic integrity is a fundamental principle of the
University. Academic dishonesty, cheating or plagiarism,
represents an attempt to gain an unfair advantage and it is
expressly prohibited by the SFSU Student code of Conduct.
Penalties for cheating and/or representing the works of
others as your own range from a grade of 0 on a particular
assignment through an F for the course to expulsion from
the university. Please familiarize yourself with the policy at
http://www.sfsu.edu//%7Ehelpdesk/docs/rules/conduct.htm”
“The University is
committed to providing
reasonable academic
accommodation to students
with special
need/disabilities. The
Disability Programs and
Resources Center provides
University academic
support services and
specialized assistance.
Individuals with physical,
perceptual, or learning
special needs/disabilities
as addressed by the
Americans with
Disabilities Center at (415)
338-2472 or in SSB 110.”
http://www.sfsu.edu/~dprc/
Advising Center
The College of
Ethnic Studies
Resource Center is
located in Ethnic
Studies/Psychology
103. You are
enthusiastically
invited to
participate in their
programs of
academic support.
Please note a few
essential deadlines:
Last Day to Add:
9/9/08
Last Day to Drop:
9/23/08
Ethnic Studies Student Resource and Empowerment Center -- located at EP
110B and open Monday through Friday --we provide information and referral for
all students taking classes in the College of Ethnic Studies including: tutoring,
scholarships, financial aid, job opportunities, health care and psychological
counseling, legal referral, academic counseling, graduate school application,
community resources and social networks on campus.
All services are free and we consider each student as a valued client. Drop-in or
contact Phil Klasky at pklasky@sfsu.edu or (415) 405-0775. Web site:
www.sfsu.edu/ethnicst/studentcenter