BLAS 135 (88862) Syllabus

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San Diego Community College District Page 1Course Syllabus

BLAS135(88862)

INTROTOBLACKPOLITICS

2011-SPRING

INSTRUCTOR:DARIUS SPEARMANTELEPHONE:(619)388-3187

E-MAIL VIA WEBCT

OFFICE HOURS:MON &WED 9:30-11:00AM;TUE &THUR 11:05AM-12:35PMAND BY APPOINTMENT,ROOM A-1(E)

CLASS MEETS: TTH,9:35AM10:55AM

FROM 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.

WHATS INSIDE:

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

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

COURSE REQUIREMENTS................................................................................................................................ 3

ATTENDANCE AND GRADING......................................................................................................................... 4HONEST ACADEMIC CONDUCT ...................................................................................................................... 6

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

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

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REQUIRED TEXTS

1. Bynoe, Yvonne, Stand and Deliver: Political Activism, Leadership, and Hip Hop Culture,Soft Skull Press, 2004, ISBN: 1-932360-10-7

2. Gray, Kevin Alexander, Waiting for Lightning to Strike: The Fundamentals of BlackPolitics, AK Press; ISBN: 978-1-904859-91-8

3. Walton, Hanes Jr., American Politics and the African American Quest for UniversalFreedom, 4th ed. Pearson Longman, 2008, ISBN: 0-205-53639-5

COURSE DESCRIPTION &STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

This course is a survey of African American experiences with the United States political system

from the Colonial era to the present. Emphasis is placed on the role of race in American

political culture, practices and institutions as well as the ideas, tactics and organizations

developed and employed by African Americans in their struggle for political power. This course

is intended for students who wish to major in Black Studies and/or who wish to gain general

knowledge of the Black experience.

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

1. Identify and compare the current predominant frames of reference for analyzing AfricanAmerican politics and use historical data to assess those models.

2. Assess the positions and roles of Blacks in American society in terms of the nature of theAmerican political system and the political resources available to and utilized by African

Americans.

3. Formulate a dialog between a Black Nationalist and a Black Conservative regarding thepositions and roles of Blacks in American society in terms of the nature of the American

political system and the political resources available to and utilized by Afric

4. Define interest group politics and evaluate the efficacy of coalition building to civil rightsorganizations and African American associations such as the National Association for the

Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Urban League.

5. Explain the two-party political system and compare and contrast the experiences ofBlacks with the Republican and Democratic parties.

6. Formulate an argument that takes a position regarding African Americans' ability toutilize the institutions of the Congress, the Presidency and the Judiciary as a means foradvancing African American causes using data presented in class and in reading ma

7. Apply a variety of perspectives to interpret the significance of given current issues relatedto contemporary Black society and leadership.

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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 theBlackboardcommunity. To log

on:

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

Username: CSID number

Password = 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 FROM

OUTSIDE SOURCES.

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 to

speak to you and for you. Doing so should also permit you to be creative in how you piecethe 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 be

assessed 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 those

sources 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 four

print sources such as books or scholarly journals no more than two of those sources may befrom texts used in the classroom. Please discuss and clear your topic with me by 3/3/2011.

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 assessed

for this assignment. Additionally, class participation will be based in part on your feedbackgiven to fellow classmates.
https://mail.sdccd.edu/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://online.sdccd.eduhttps://mail.sdccd.edu/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://online.sdccd.eduhttps://mail.sdccd.edu/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://online.sdccd.eduhttps://mail.sdccd.edu/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://online.sdccd.edu

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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 the

classroom. Please discuss and clear your topic with me by 3/3/2011.

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 thoughtsand questions should demonstrate some degree of reflection on the material and should be

intended 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 eachpoint.

Your Talking Points or journal will be turned on the due date for that weeks reading

assignments. Journals MUST be typed. Handwritten journals will not be accepted.

Class Discussion/Participation (50 Points)Much time will be spent in class for active discussion of the reading. Your attendance and

participation in the discussion section, your ability to answer questions, and to initiatedialogue 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 AdvisoryEnter level of computer skills expected or types of assignments requiring computer skills. (In

most college courses students are expected to have a basic familiarity with computer termsand 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 closedwithin ten (10) minutes of the scheduled start

time. You may not enter the classroom once class is in session and anyone not seated at thattime 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, so

please keep me informed of any issues as they arise and allow me to help you work throughthem.

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

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It is the students responsibility to drop all classes in which (s)he is no longer attending.

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 Points

C = 319-280 Points C = 399-350 PointsD = 279-240 Points D = 349-300 Points

F < 240 Points F < 300 Points

Points for individual assignments will be broken down as follows:

Response Papers: 200 points Oral Presentation/Research Project: 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/.

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

Procedure 3100.2, Student Disciplinary Procedures. This policy applies to all work submitted

in 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 for

students with disabilities. An alternate from of this syllabus and other class handouts is

available upon request. Further accommodations can be made upon arrangement with myselfand the Department of Disability Support Programs and Services (DSPS), Room A-115 (619)

388-3513

**

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COURSE SCHEDULE

UNIT1:HISTORICAL AND ANALYTICAL FRAMEWORKS (4WEEKS)

WEEK DATE TOPIC ASSIGNMENT

Week 1 25-Jan Course Introduction

27-Jan Foundations and Structure Gray, CH 1

Week 2 1-Feb Heritage of Slavery

3-Feb Gray, CH 2

Week 3 8-Feb Racism, Slavery, and the Ideology of White Supremacy/

10-Feb Federalism and the Limits of Universal Freedom Walton, CH 1-2

Week 4 15-Feb Political Culture & Socialization

17-Feb Walton, CH 3-5

UNIT2:POLITICAL IDENTITY (5WEEKS)Week 5 22-Feb Media and The Intensification of Racial Solidarity

24-Feb Walton, CH 6; Gray, CH 3

Week 6 1-Mar The Million Man March: Identity and Race Politics

3-Mar Gray, CH 4

Week 7 8-Mar Social Movements and a Theory of African American

10-Mar Coalition Politics Walton, CH 7

Week 8 15-Mar Interest Groups & Political Parties

17-Mar Walton, CH 8-9

Week 9 22-Mar Models of Black Leadership

24-Mar Bynoe, Part 1

UNIT3:POLITICAL IDENTITY (4WEEKS)Week 10 29-Mar Voting Behavior and Elections and the Congress

31-Mar Walton, CH 10-11

Week 11 5-Apr African Americans and the Presidency

7-Apr Walton, CH 12; Gray, CH10

Week 12 12-Apr African Americans The Supreme Court and the

14-Apr Bureaucracy Walton, CH 13-14

Week 13 19-Apr

**Spring Break**21-Apr

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UNIT4:BUMRUSH THE SHOW!!(4WEEKS)Week 14 26-Apr Critical Breakdown On Black Political Agendas Bynoe, Part 2

28-Apr

Week 15 3-May African Americans and Domestic Policy

5-May Walton, CH 15; Gray, CH 5

Week 16 10-May Don't Talk About It, Be About It - Activism In Action

12-May Bynoe, Part 4

Week 17 17-May African Americans and Foreign Policy

19-May Walton, CH 16; Gray, CH 9

Documents

BLAS 135 (88862) Syllabus