AFRAM 110-5055

FALL 2005

 

Professor:

Sonja Martin Poole

sonja@cal.berkeley.edu

510-235-7800, Ext 4540 or 1191

www.pooledresourcesinc.com

 

Office Hours & Location:

Tuesdays/Thursdays, 11am -12pm

LA 15 or LA 1

 

Required Texts:

Karenga, Maulana Introduction to Black Studies, 3rd Ed (2002) University of Sankore Press

 

Course Description:

This course will provide students with a historical awareness and a multidisciplinary overview of African American Studies as an academic discipline. It will focus on the socio-political and cultural experience of African Americans in the United States. Topics to be covered include philosophy, history, religion, sociology, political economy, psychology, and creative arts.

 

Prerequisites

None

 

Objectives

At the completion of the course, students will be able to:

 

·        Know the historical significance of the African American Studies discipline;

·        Discuss the socio-political and cultural experiences of the African American experience in the United States and abroad;

·        Write a biography on a significant person from the African American Diaspora;

·        Compare and contrast the role and experience of African Americans and other ethnic groups in America; and

·        Describe the various courses in the African American Studies Department

 

Structure

Class meets twice a week for a total of approximately 3 hours. In addition to meeting twice a week, students are expected to dedicate at least 6 hours per week to related study, research and reading. Use of the Internet and email is a vital part of this course.

 

 

Classroom time is conducted in a discussion/lecture format. The instructor is responsible for providing contextual information including key terms, ideas, and people. Students are responsible for completing the assigned reading and assignments, which are critical for understanding, in-class discussions and test preparation.

 

Homework involves time spent on course-related assignments outside of class. Students are expected to prepare and set aside time to read the required material, complete assignments, and study for exams. Typically, college students are expected to dedicate 2 hours for each hour spent in class. Homework for this course would then take about 6 hours per week.

 

Internet and Email are the means by which exams will be administered and submitted for this course. Also, email is the preferred means of communication outside of class between the instructor and students. The instructor is responsible for initial Internet/Email orientation and basic troubleshooting assistance. Students are responsible for allocating time in their personal schedules for computer use and locating and securing available computers with Internet access.

 

 

Requirements & Expectations

There are three components that will be evaluated for the final grade: Exams, Biography, Research Paper, and Classroom Participation.

 

ü      Exams – There will be 3 exams. All questions for the exams will be derived from the reading and content covered in class (including, but not limited to key terms and objectives). See attached Schedule for exact days and times of exams. The instructor does not offer make-up exams.

 

ü      Research Paper – Students are required to complete a five-page double-spaced research paper on an approved contemporary issue related to African American Studies. Students may choose their topics from the list provided by the professor or select their own topics. In addition, students will briefly share their research paper with the class in a 5 minute oral presentation. Research papers are graded on organization, clarity, content and presentation.

 

ü      Biography – Students are required to complete one three-page double-spaced biography on an important historical or contemporary figure in African American culture/society. Students will select an individual who has made a significant contribution to the African American community and society at large. Biography papers are graded on organization, clarity, and content.

 

ü      Classroom Participation/ Assignments – Students are expected to be prepared for and participate in classroom discussions and in-class assignments. This involves good attendance, reading the assigned reading as scheduled, and bringing the appropriate materials to each class (the text and previous lecture notes to class for reference, writing utensils, and a notebook to record notes during class time). Occasionally students will be required to complete an in-class assignment worth varying points. There are no make-ups for these types of assignments.

 

Grading Policy

Assessment is based on students meeting the requirements. The breakdown is as follows:

 

25 Points

Exam 1

50 Points

Exam 2

100 Points

Exam 3

100 Points

Research Paper

50 Points

Biography

175 Points

Classroom Assignments/Participation

500 Points

Total Points

Grade Scale

 

90-100%

A

80-89%

B

70-79%

C

60-69%

D

Below 59%

F

 

 

 

 

 

Attendance

College policy states that an instructor may drop a student who is absent from six hours of class. For classes meeting two days per week, six hours = 4 days. (See Contra Costa Fall 2005 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.

 

IMPORTANT!! Absences may be excused for the following reasons: death, debilitating illness or injury. The instructor requires 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 to miss class. These appointments should be made during your discretionary time.

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

·        Contact me if you have any problems with the coursework or you are unable to attend class on a specific occasion. I’d like to know. I am happy to meet with students to review your work or progress.

 

·        To withdraw without a grade penalty appearing on your record, you must go to Admissions and Records to fill out necessary forms by the semester deadline

 

·        Student services are available at Contra Costa College if you are experiencing difficulties in studying, learning, managing time or responsibilities, securing adequate resources, and/or adjusting to being a college student. See the Schedule of Courses for a quick list of student services offered to help students succeed in college.

 

·        Late papers will be lowered ¼ of a grade for each day it is late. If you anticipate an absence, turn in the assignments early or have someone else bring it to class for you.

 

·        I strongly recommend that you team up and exchange numbers with reliable classmates who can provide you with class notes, handouts and other information in the event that you are absent.

 

·        Keep up with the reading and writing assignments. Come to class prepared to participate. Have a binder with lined paper for notes and pocket files for handouts.

 

·        Enjoy!

 

 

I believe in pride of race and lineage and self; in pride of self so deep as to scorn injustice to other selves. Especially do I believe in the Negro Race: in the beauty of its genius, the sweetness of its soul, and its strength in that meekness, which shall yet inherit this turbulent earth.

~W.E.B. Du Bois

 

 

 

Say it loud. I’m black and I’m proud.

~James Brown

Schedule

 

Below is a tentative schedule of activities and assignments. Please review. If you have any questions, please see the professor. If there are any changes in the schedule, you will be notified in class.

 

Week

Date

 

Topic

Assignment Due in Class

1

Th., 8/18

 

Introduction

 

2

 

Tu., 8/23

Th., 8/25

Overview of the Discipline of Black Studies

 

Chapter 1 (pp 1-15)

Chapter 1  (pp 16-31)

 

3

 

Tu., 8/29

Th., 9/1

Developmental Initiatives

 

Chapter 2 (pp 39-70)

Handout: “Philadelphia Mandates Black History for Graduation”

 

4

 

Tu., 9/6

Th., 9/8

Black History: African Background

 

Chapter 3 (pp 77 – 102)

Chapter 3 (pp 103 – 121)

 

5

 

Tu., 9/13

Th., 9/15

Exam Week

 

Exam 1 Review

Exam 1

 

6

 

Tu., 9/20

Th., 9/22

Black History: Africans in America

 

Chapter 4 (pp 134 – 159)

Chapter 4 (pp 160-164)

 

7

 

Tu., 9/27

Th., 9/29

Black History: Africans in America (cont’d)

 

Chapter 4 (pp 165 – 182)

Chapter 4 (pp 185 – 217)

 

8

 

Tu., 10/4

 

Th., 10/6

Black Sociology

 

Chapter 6 (pp 299 – 317)

Biography Due

Chapter 6 (pp 317-323)

 

9

 

Tu., 10/11

Th., 10/13

Black Sociology (cont’d)

 

Chapter 6 (pp 323-331)

Chapter 6 (pp 331-337)

 

10

 

Tu., 10/18

Th., 10/20

Exam Week

 

Exam 2 Review

Exam 2

 

11

 

Tu., 10/25

Th., 10/27

Black Politics

 

Chapter 7 (pp 355 – 373)

Chapter 7 (pp 373 – 405)

 

12

 

Tu., 11/1

Th., 11/3

Black Economics

 

Chapter 8 (pp 419 – 432)

Chapter 8 (pp 432 – 452)

 

13

 

Tu., 11/8

Th., 11/10

Black Creative Production

 

Chapter 9 (pp 463 – 473)

Chapter 9 (pp 473 – 490)

 

14

 

Tu., 11/15

Th., 11/17

Black Psychology

 

Chapter 10 (pp 505 – 517)

Chapter 10 (pp 517 – 533)

 

15

 

Tu., 11/22

Th., 11/24

 

 

 

 

 

Research Paper Due

Thanksgiving Break

 

16

 

Tu., 11/29

Th., 12/1

Black Religion

 

Chapter 5 (pp 233 – 254)

Chapter 5 (pp 254 – 285)

 

17

 

Tu., 12/6

Th., 12/8

Final Exam Review & Presentations

 

Presentations Due

Exam Review

 

18

 

Tu., 12/13

Th., 12/15

Final Exam Week

 

No Class

Final Exam,  9:30 – 11:10 am