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AFAM 201: Introduction to African American Studies

Professor Caleb Corkery, Ph.D. Hash Hall 011 (717)872-3655 399-3087(home) Office Hours: Fridays 10:00-11:00AM 1:00-4:00PM

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This is a survey course designed to provide an overview of African American culture and history. African American perspectives and contributions in the areas of literature, art, theater, science and intervention, male-female relations, family, psychology and sociology, politics and economics, the church and the media will be presented. RATIONALE: This course is designed to serve as the foundation for the Minor in African American Studies. It will serve the necessary function of providing the students with an overview of African American culture and history as well as the various theoretical perspectives from which this information can be critically evaluated. For those students, who will not be continuing in the minor, this course will serve as a survey of information and perspectives, which will be useful to them in a job market, which increasingly demands some knowledge of African American culture and history. Moreover, it will fill a gap typically left by the present curriculum. Lastly, it will better prepare the students for their role in a society and world where African Americans continue to grow in number and significance. OBJECTIVES: 1. Exhibit a knowledge of the perspectives and contributions of African Americans in many areas as exhibited in regular response papers and on a final essay exam. 2. Develop critical thinking skills concerning the perspectives of African Americans as exhibited by a research paper or website on a contemporary issue confronting African Americans. 3. Exhibit an understanding of the contributing factors of the three components of African American cultures through classroom activities and discussions and attendance and written reaction to cultural activities. 4. Increase ability to articulate different perspectives related to African American culture and contributions through media activities.

Textbooks: Karenga, M. (2010) Introduction to Black Studies. Los Angeles: University of Sankore Press. Hayes, Floyd W (2000) A Turbulent Voyage. San Diego: Collegiate Press. Course Requirements and Policies: A. Knowledge Base - The students must exhibit a critical understanding and familiarity with material covered in the course as exhibited in response papers and take home exams. A response paper will be due for each reading assigned, twenty-two (22) in total, each worth 20 points. Post response papers to their assigned drop box in D2L, AND bring the response papers to class on the day the reading is due. Also a final exam based on the readings will be worth 140 points. Date 8/26 8/28 9/4 9/9 9/11 9/12 9/16 9/18 Topics Course introduction Read Karenga(response paper) Chapter 1 Reading Assignments

Read Karenga & Hayes(response papers) Chapter 2 & Chapter 1 Read Karenga Read Karenga Chapter 3 & Chapter 4 Chapter 4(pgs 147-182)

Attend Moustafa Bayoumi lecture at 7 PM in Lehr. Read Hayes Chapter 2

Read Hayes Chapter 2 Meet in computer lab, McComsey 235, to do Web Assignment I.

9/19 Attend campus-wide discussion on what it means to be different in our community at 7 PM in Lehr. 9/21 9/23, 9/25, 9/30, Submit response paper to drop box by 11:59 p.m Read Karenga, Read Hayes, Chapter 9 Chapter 3

Read Hayes, Chapter 3 Meet in computer lab, McComsey 235, to work on Web Assignment II. Refine your topic and develop specific plan to divide work among group members.

10/2 Meet in computer lab, McComsey 235. 10/7&9 Meet in classroom to present your group's work. II. African Heritage A. Ancient Civilizations And Their Contributions B. Africa In The 17th & 18th Century And Interaction With The Americas C. African Cultures' Impact on African Americans 9/9, read Karenga, Chapter 3. Read Karenga, Chapter 4, pages105 - 146 9/11, read Karenga, Chapter 4, pages 147 - 182. (Attend Moustafa Bayoumi lecture on 9/12 at 7 PM in Lehr. Submit response paper to drop box on 9/13 by 11:59 p.m ) 9/16, read Hayes, Chapter 2, pages 37 - 96. 9/18, read Hayes, Chaptger 2, pages 97 - 143. Meet in computer lab, McComsey 235, to do Web Assignment I. (Attend campus-wide discussion on what it means to be different in our community on 9/19 at 7 PM in Lehr. Submit response paper to drop box on 9/21 by 11:59 p.m )

Total points for content developing knowledge base: 600 Response Papers (440 total points): You must do a response paper for all assigned readings in each book. So, on the days you have readings from both books, you have two response papers due. You must submit each response paper to the drop box in D2L on the day the reading is due AND bring a copy to class. Here are the instructions for each book. Introduction to Black Studies by Karenga. Each response should have three elements: Concisely summarize your understanding of the main points from the assigned chapter in no less than 250 words (about one full typed page, double-spaced) --OR-- Use the Study Questions at the end of the chapter to focus your understanding of the reading. Use your 250 words to address any of the study questions. Be sure to cover at least 3 questions, though; A one paragraph reaction (at least 100 words) to the chapter, which is your chance to give

your opinion on what the chapter covered; One section (at least 150 words) on connections to other material covered in class or in other readings. I will evaluate your ability to cover the central points and your effort to make observations and connections. A Turbulent Voyage by Hayes. You will see in the schedule how I have divided up the readings. For each assigned section, you must do the following: Answer the question(s) assigned to your group at the end of each article. Each answer should be at least 100 words long. For the first chapter, due Sept. 4, pick any two of the discussion questions at the end of either of the last two articles. So, you will be answering two questions, chosen from the article "The Politics of Black Women's Studies" and/or "Black Studies, Multiculturalism and the Future of American Education." You will see the questions at the end of the chapter. For each article in the assigned section, find a quote that brings clarity to an issue/idea discussed in class or in another reading. Write down the quote and comment in at least 50 words on the connections/insights you see. Be specific in your comments. I should be able to tell that you have read and thought about the reading. I will evaluate your ability to address the question based on the information in the reading and on your effort to make observations and connections.

Final Exam (160 points): Your knowledge of the readings will also be tested through short essays in a final exam, which will be take-home and done online. B. Multicultural Activities - Students are required to attend 10 cultural activities (The mandatory trip to D.C. counts as 2). You will also be required to attend the Moustafa Bayoumi lecture on Sept. 12 at 7PM, a campus dialogue on difference on Sept. 19, and a lecture by Aaron McGruder on Oct. 3. So, you need to choose 5 more events. One may be a sports competition. Activities off-campus must be pre-approved. You will be required to write a 200 word summary/reaction paper for each event, 400 words for the Washington trip. All responses to these events must be submitted to the Multicultural Activities drop box on D2L within 48 hours after the event. Keep adding to the same drop box. In total, these activities are worth 100 points. There is a mandatory class trip to Washington, D.C. on Oct. 18, which will count for 2 activities. The bus will leave the SMAC at 6:00 am. Please arrive before 6:00 a.m. There is a non-refundable cost of $75 which will be used for your lunch, dinner and theater ticket. This money will be due Wednesday, September 18, 2013. Pay through money order or checks made out to "Millersville University, Black Culture Celebration".

C. Web Activities - The Web will be used for various individual or group activities and projects which will be graded. Exact dates and place will be provided. Please note that you are expected to have reviewed the materials for the assignment and relevant sites prior to class so that you may accomplish the assignment during the class time allotted. Web Assignment I, 40 points Web Assignment II, 70 Web Assignment III, 40 Web Asssignment IV, 40 Web Assignement V, 40 Exam Day Presentation, 70 Total points, 300

D. Attendance - All absences must be excused. Ten points will be deducted for any unexcused absence. Excused absences require infirmary confirmation, funeral notices, etc and other support deemed necessary by the instructor. Twenty-five points will be deducted for each time the student is tardy. If you miss class even when excused, it is your responsibility to assure any assignment are gotten to the instructor at the time and on the date due. Fifty points will be deducted for each day an assignment is late, including weekends. E. Classroom decorum - I expect that you will: (1) come to class and come prepared; (2) listen to and respect your classmates; (3) follow all instructions for the assignments; (4) take notes on information information presented in class; (5) get in touch with me when you have problems. F. All cases of academic dishonesty will result in a loss of a least 200 points per incident and may result in failure of the course. G. Late Assignments will receive half credit. It is your job to keep track of when assignments are due. If you will not be in class for any reason, it is your responsibility to see that I have your assignment before class. Finish assignments early so that you have time to deal with any problems that may occur.

Total Points: 1000 Grades will be based on percentages of total points attained. Ed0010_.jpg Course Outline. I. Framework A. The Three Cultures Which Contribute to African American Culture B. Approaches to African American Studies C. More Than Just Facts 8/26: Course introduction. 8/28: Read Karenga, Chapter 1 (Response paper, typed and double-spaced, due in class. See instructions above.) 9/4: Read Karenga, Chapter 2 and Hayes, Chapter 1 (Two responses papers due in class, one for each chapter) koto_reliquary.jpg II. African Heritage A. Ancient Civilizations And Their Contributions B. Africa In The 17th & 18th Century And Interaction With The Americas C. African Cultures' Impact on African Americans

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