BLAS 116 (88886) Syllabus

8/8/2019 BLAS 116 (88886) Syllabus

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San Diego Community College District Page 1 Course Syllabus

BLAS 116 (88886)

CONTEMP SOC PROB/BLACK PERSPECTIVE

2011 - SPRING

INSTRUCTOR: DARIUS SPEARMAN

TELEPHONE: (619) 388-3187

E-MAIL VIA WEBCT

OFFICE HOURS:MON & WED 9:30-11:00AM; TUE & THUR 11:05AM-12:35PM

AND BY APPOINTMENT, ROOM A-1(E)

CLASS MEETS: MW, 11:10AM–12:30PMFROM 1/24/2011 TO 5/21/2011;

ROOM A215

ADVICE: English 51 and passing score on English 51 exit exam

THIS SYLLABUS IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

Students will be notified of syllabus changes during a regularly scheduled class. It will be the students’

responsibility to ensure they possess the latest version of the class syllabus.

NOTE: Controversial subjects may be the topic of discussion or readings.

WHAT’S INSIDE:

REQUIRED TEXTS ........................................................................................................................................... 2

COURSE DESCRIPTION & STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES .......................................................................... 2

COURSE REQUIREMENTS................................................................................................................................ 2

ATTENDANCE AND GRADING......................................................................................................................... 4

HONEST ACADEMIC CONDUCT ...................................................................................................................... 6

DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES (DSS) STATEMENT ..................................................................................... 6

COURSE SCHEDULE ........................................................................................................................................ 7

8/8/2019 BLAS 116 (88886) Syllabus



REQUIRED TEXTS

1. Dyson, Michael Eric, Know What I Mean? Reflections on Hip Hop, Perseus BooksGroup (2007); ISBN 0465017169

2. hooks, bell, We Real Cool: Black Men and Masculinity, Routledge (2003), ISBN-10:

0415969271

3. Marable, Manning, et. al., Racializing Justice Disenfranchising Lives: The Racism,Criminal Justice, and Law Reader, Palgrave Macmillan (2007); ISBN 1403977674

4. Smiley, Tavis, ed., Accountable: Making America As Good As It's Promise, Atria Books:

ISBN - 1-4391-0002-0

COURSE DESCRIPTION & STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

A sociological analysis of institutional variation and the process of social change, and how it

affects the Black American emphasizing contemporary urban situations. The course examines the

relations between various racial, cultural, ethnic, and minority groups as well as those group

variations in life style which cannot be accounted for by social condition.

Upon successful completion of the course the student will have gained experience in:

1. Demonstrate understanding, both orally and in writing, the concepts, institutions, and

processes involved in socialization and social change within the context of the African-

American experience.2. Critically analyze current social problems, patterns of conflict, and social institutions

within the context of the African-American experience.

3. Critically analyze the underlying causes of such social problems as racism and sexismand class conflict.

4. Critically analyze current social policies, both on the local and national levels, that aimed

at addressing current social problems that most effect African-Americans.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

This is a web enhanced course. We have created an online companion to this course that willallow you to communicate with your online community and access useful tools. After the

first week of class you will be automatically enrolled in the Blackboard community. To log

on:

Login URL: http://online.sdccd.edu

Username: CSID numberPassword = 8 digit birthdate: (mmddyyyy)

4 Response Papers (50 points each)

Write a 500-700 word typed paper on a prompt to be determined in class. To adequatelyaddress each question, we would suggest a minimum of 3 main points explored in a fair

amount of detail. The assigned readings should be sufficient to adequately address the topic,

and should be the only materials referenced in your essays. DO NOT CITE FROMOUTSIDE SOURCES.

https://mail.sdccd.edu/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://online.sdccd.edu




8/8/2019 BLAS 116 (88886) Syllabus



Key points must be supported and cited with evidence from the required readings. You

MUST cite from at least two sources per paper – i.e. (Author, p. 10). Allow the material tospeak to you and for you. Doing so should also permit you to be creative in how you piece

the material together. Be SPECIFIC in your answer. Eliminate the following words from

your vocabulary: “this,” “these,” “that,” “they,” “its.”

Please see the Response Paper Grading Rubric for specific details on how you will beassessed for this assignment.

Oral Presentation – OR – Research Paper (50 points)Write a 5-7 page research paper on the topic of your choice. Your paper should include no

less than four print sources such as books or scholarly journals – no more than two of thosesources may be from texts used in the classroom.

Your oral presentation will be 5-7 minutes in length, and the topic will interweave a

particular theme or question relevant to the class with your own outside research. I place

special emphasis on the term “research.” Your presentation should include no less than fourprint sources such as books or scholarly journals – no more than two of those sources may be

from texts used in the classroom. Please discuss and clear your topic with me by 3/2/2011.

You should be creative and use at least one visual aid (such as overheads, charts, handouts),

you may also use demonstrations and other techniques to inform and interest the class. Pleaselet me know if you need University audio visual equipment, well in advance of your

presentation.

Please see Oral Presentation Grading Rubric for specific details on how you will be assessedfor this assignment. Additionally, class participation will be based in part on your feedback

given to fellow classmates.

Honors Option (150 Points)*

In ADDITION to the Oral Presentation (see above), write a 7-10 page research paper on thetopic of your choice. Your paper should include no less than four print sources such as books

or scholarly journals – no more than two of those sources may be from texts used in theclassroom. Please discuss and clear your topic with me by 3/2/2011.

Weekly Reading Journal (100 points)To prepare you for class discussion, each week you will be expected to come to class with

your own “Talking Points” on the reading. 5-7 sentences should be adequate. Your thoughts

and questions should demonstrate some degree of reflection on the material and should beintended to stimulate discussion, such as, “The author makes an interesting point on page …”

NOT “In what year did the Reconstruction end?” Be sure to cite a page reference with each

point.

Your “Talking Points” or journal will be turned on the due date for that week’s readingassignments. Journals MUST be typed. Handwritten journals will not be accepted.

*Please contact the Honors Department for details in room A1-N (619) 388-3512, or http://www.sdcity.edu/honors/.

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Class Discussion/Participation (50 Points)

Much time will be spent in class for active discussion of the reading. Your attendance andparticipation in the discussion section, your ability to answer questions, and to initiate

dialogue based on the required readings, will be graded. Each student is expected to have

read the assignments and have given them careful thought. In class discussion will be based

in part on a random check of preparedness. When asked “What should we be talking abouttoday?” Your response should be along the lines of “The author makes an interesting

statement on page …” NOT “Chapter 4.” Additionally, group work will be factored into your

class discussion grade.

Computer Skills Advisory

Enter level of computer skills expected or types of assignments requiring computer skills. (Inmost college courses students are expected to have a basic familiarity with computer terms

and use: word processing, document manipulation, spreadsheets, email, and online services.

These skills can be learned at any of the colleges or Continuing Education.)

ATTENDANCE AND GRADING Attendance RequirementsActive participation in the class requires that you be present. Students are expected to attend

every class meeting, arrive on time, and stay throughout the class period. Class will be in

session and the classroom door will be closed within ten (10) minutes of the scheduled starttime. You may not enter the classroom once class is in session and anyone not seated at that

time will be considered absent . Students may be dropped after four (4) unexcused absences

OR after having missed four (4) assignments. Unexcused absences are at my discretion, soplease keep me informed of any issues as they arise and allow me to help you work through

them.

It is the student’s responsibility to drop all classes in which (s)he is no longer attending (for o

n campus classes).

• Deadline to drop classes with no “W” recorded is 2/4/2011.

• Withdrawal deadline is 4/1/2011. No drops may be accepted after this date.

Students who remain enrolled in a class beyond the published withdrawal

deadline, as stated in the class schedule, will receive an evaluative letter grade in

this class.

Grading will be on a point scale and will be assigned as follows:

REGULAR SCALE HONORS OPTION*

A = 400-360 Points A = 500-450 Points

B = 359-320 Points B = 449-400 PointsC = 319-280 Points C = 399-350 Points

D = 279-240 Points D = 349-300 Points

F < 240 Points F < 300 Points

8/8/2019 BLAS 116 (88886) Syllabus



Points for individual assignments will be broken down as follows:

• Response Papers: 200 points

• Oral Presentation/Research Paper: 50 points

• Weekly Reading Journals: 100 points

• In-Class Discussion/Participation: 50 points

• Optional Honors Paper: 100*

Credit/No CreditBeginning Fall 2009, the title “credit/no credit” will change to “pass/no pass” in accordan

ce with Title 5, section 55022.

All assignments are considered due at the BEGINNING of the class period of the due date:

LATE WORK WILL BE FORGIVEN ONCE (FOR ANY REASON) – AFTER THAT NO LATE WORK

WILL BE ACCEPTED**

*Please contact the Honors Department for details in room A1-N (619) 388-3512, or http://www.sdcity.edu/honors/. **

8/8/2019 BLAS 116 (88886) Syllabus



HONEST ACADEMIC CONDUCT

Students are expected to be honest and ethical at all times in their pursuit of academic goals.Students who are found in violation of district Procedure 3100.3, Honest Academic Conduct,

will receive a zero (0) grade on the assignment in question with no opportunity to make up

the grade. Additionally students may be referred for disciplinary action in accordance with

Procedure 3100.2, Student Disciplinary Procedures. This policy applies to all work submittedin class or online including, but not limited to, emails, discussion postings, assignments,

essays, and exams.

DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES (DSS) STATEMENT

Please meet with me to discuss any academic accommodations that may be necessary forstudents with disabilities. An alternate from of this syllabus and other class handouts is

available upon request. Further accommodations can be made upon arrangement with myself

and the Department of Disability Support Programs and Services (DSPS), Room A-115 (619)388-3513

8/8/2019 BLAS 116 (88886) Syllabus



COURSE SCHEDULE

UNIT 1: “NO JUSTICE … JUST US” (4 WEEKS)WEEK DATE TOPIC ASSIGNMENT

Week 1 24-Jan Course Introduction

26-Jan The Covenant Smiley, Introduction

Week 2 31-Jan The Era of Mass Incarceration

2-Feb Marable, Ch 1-2; Dyson, Ch 1-2

Week 3 7-Feb Casualties of the Drug War

9-Feb Marable, Ch 3-4; Dyson, Ch 3

Week 4 14-Feb Race & Capital Punishment

16-Feb Marable, Ch 5-6; Smiley, Ch 3

UNIT 2: DECONSTRUCTING GENDER (5 WEEKS)Week 5 21-Feb **Washington Day** hooks, Ch 1-2

23-Feb Deconstructing Patriarchal Notions of Power Response Paper 1 Due

Week 6 28-Feb Black Males and Masculinity 2-Mar hooks, Ch 3-4

Week 7 7-Mar Boyz II Men

9-Mar hooks, Ch 5-6

Week 8 14-Mar Rethinking Gender Roles

16-Mar hooks, Ch 6-7

Week 9 21-Mar The Effect Of The Prison-Industrial Complex On

23-Mar African American Women Marable, Ch 7-8; Dyson, Ch 4

UNIT 3: THE POLITICS OF RACE (4 WEEKS)

Week 10 28-Mar Racism, Law & Public Policy Marable, Ch 11-12

30-Mar Response Paper 2 Due

Week 11 4-Apr Voting Rights & Disenfranchisement Marable, Ch 15-16;

6-Apr Smiley Ch 6

Week 12 11-Apr Access to Wealth and Opportunity13-Apr Smiley, Ch 4

Week 13 18-Apr

**SPRING BREAK** 20-Apr

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UNIT 4: CHALLENGING THE PRISON-INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX (4

WEEKS)Week 14 25-Apr From Punishment To Rehabilitation:

27-Apr Empowering African American Youth;Group 1 Presentations

Marable, Ch. 25-26 Response Paper 3 Due

Week 15 2-MayCrime Prevention In The African American

Community

4-May Group 2 Presentations Marable, Ch. 27-28

Week 16 9-May Prepared To Govern Justly

11-May Group 3 Presentations Marable, Ch. 29-30

Week 17 16-MayDoing the Work of Love

Group 4 Presentations

hooks, Ch 9-10

Response Paper 4 Due

Documents

BLAS 116 (88886) Syllabus