Syllabus

Economics 125-2230

Economic Experience of Blacks in America

Fall 2006

 

Instructor: Sonja Martin Poole

Office Hours: Mondays 9:30 – 10:30 AM and by appointment

Campus Office: LA 1, Phone: (510) 643-9024

e-mail: sonja@cal.berkeley.edu

 

Instructor’s Web Site:

www.pooledresources.org

 

Class E-mail Group Web Page

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/econ125

 

Text: African Americans in the U.S. Economy, Conrad, Whitehead, Mason & Stewart, Eds. (2005)

 

Course Schedule (subject to change)

Dates

Topic

Chapters[1]

Comments/ Notes

8/21, 8/23

Introduction & Fundamentals of Economics

Lecture only

First class Monday, 8/21

8/28, 8/30

The American Economy & The Origins of Racial Economic Inequality

Ch. 1, 2

8/30 Class meets in AA213;

Add Deadline[2]

9/4, 9/6

Pre-Civil War US Economy

Ch. 3, 4

9/4 No Class

9/11, 9/13

Post-Civil War US Economy

Ch. 5, 6*, 7*

1st Drop Deadline[3]

9/18, 9/20

Political-Economic Paradigms I

Ch. 8*, 9

9/20 Research Topic Due

9/25, 9/27

Political-Economic Paradigms II

Ch. 10

 

10/2, 10/4

Political-Economic Paradigms III

Ch. 11, 12

 

10/9, 10/11

Political-Economic Paradigms IV

Ch. 13

10/11 Exam #1 (Online in AA213)

10/16, 10/18

The Labor Market

Ch. 14, 15

10/18 Research Outline, Method & References Due

10/23, 10/25

Capital & Wealth

Ch. 16, 19

 

10/30, 11/1

Black Men/ Black Women

Ch. 17, 18*, 24

 

11/6, 11/8

Black Capitalism

Ch. 20*, 21*,  25 & 26

 

11/13, 11/15

Black Spending & Investment

Ch. 28 & 29

11/15 Exam #2 (Online in AA213)

 2nd Drop Deadline[4]

11/20, 11/22

Employment & Training

Ch. 22*, 23*, 33, 34

11/22 Research Updates Due

11/27, 11/29

Reparations

Ch. 36, 37, 38*

 

12/4, 12/6

Economic Development Strategies

Ch. 39, 40, 41*, 42*, 43*

12/6 Research Paper Due

12/11

                                         Final Exam (Online in AA213, 1 – 2:40 PM)

 

 

Structure:

Students are expected to complete assignments (readings, topical discussions,  and study questions) by using the Internet and e-mail in the Skills Center on campus (AA 213) or any other location that has a computer with Internet access. The assignments must be completed by their deadlines. Weekly assignments and their deadlines may be obtained on Monday in class. Online exams will be taken in class (Room AA 213) on the date indicated in the syllabus during class time.

 

Grades:

There are 2 midterm exams; your lowest scored midterm will not be counted. The one remaining midterm and the final are each worth 100 points for a total of 200 points. A research paper project, worth 200 points is also required. In addition, students will submit weekly online assignments for a total of 100 points. Final grades are based on a 500 point scale as follows:

 

A (450-500)                          B (400-449)                          C (350-399)                          D (300-349)

 

There may also be one optional assignment worth a possible 10 points which is due on or before the day of the final.

 

If you score 90 points or above on each one of the two mid-term exams (not an average of 90 points), you do not need to take the in-class final as long as you have been coming to class on a regular basis. Instead of the in-class final, you will be assigned a take-home assignment due at the time of the final which will cover the new material presented after the last exam. (You may, of course, take the final if you prefer.) An A grade on the final guarantees an A for the course as long as you have been coming to class on a regular basis and have taken at least 1 of the midterms. The final is cumulative; it includes questions similar to questions on the 2 midterms, the weekly study questions, plus some new material. Save all your midterms and if you miss a midterm, make sure you get a copy from the website. The midterms are your study guides for the final. Also, make sure you note the correct answers to all your missed problems on the midterms.

 

Make-up exams for legitimate reasons only. To take a make-up exam, you must make arrangements with me BEFORE the exam. Otherwise, a missed exam will be your dropped exam since it will be your lowest scored exam and it will not count. Legitimate reasons to schedule a make-up are death, debilitating illness, or injury. The instructor requires written proof in the form of official documentation (funeral program, doctor’s note, etc.) and a written explanation from the student. Having doctor, dentist, and other prescheduled appointments will not be considered legitimate reasons since they can be scheduled at more convenient times.

 

Attendance:

College policy states that an instructor may drop a student who has been absent from six hours of class. For this class, six hours = 4 days (See Contra Costa Spring 2006 Schedule of Courses booklet). The instructor may not automatically drop a student who has not been attending, so check with the instructor if absent. Students are expected to be on time for each class.

 

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504, requires Contra Costa College to make all programs accessible to qualified individuals with learning, physical or psychological disabilities. Students who would like to receive accommodations for their learning, physical or psychological disabilities should contact the Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS) Office (H-19, extension 7220) and schedule an appointment.


[1] Optional chapters are shown with (*).

[2] Sept. 1 is last day for late admission, registration and enrollment (Add cards must be submitted by this date)

[3] Sept. 15 is last day to withdraw from courses without grade penalty or to choose the credit/no credit option.

[4] Nov. 16 is last day to withdraw from courses.