Afro-Am Studies 005: African Americans in the History of the United States II
Department of Sociology and Ethnic Studies
Los Angeles Valley College
Fall Semester 2017
Instructor: David B. Spielman, M.A.
Email:
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Course Description
This course surveys African-American History from the end of the Civil War to the present with special emphasis on social and political developments in American civilization. It provides a historical background for students majoring in the social sciences and for those who wish to gain a better understanding of historical developments by exploring them through African-American experiences.
Course Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be competent in defining, appraising, demonstrating or discussing, and evaluating the contributions and ongoing social and racial struggles of African Americans in American history and culture.
Student Learning Outcomes
Successful students who complete this course will effectively be able to describe and analyze, using a critical historical viewpoint, how struggles around social, economic, and political forces have shaped the traditional and contemporary African American experiences and American culture.
Required Text
Hine, Hine, and Harrold. The African-American Odyssey. 7th Ed. Vol 2:
Revel. Pearson. ISBN: 0-13-448536-X. * Please note this a student access code card where you gain online access to course materials and book.
Course Requirements
Navigating the CANVAS site:
It is your responsibility to learn how to navigate the online course site. If you have never taken a Canvas course, it is mandatory that you review Student Orientation Videos found on the Canvas Home Page to the left in the navigation bar (Student and Faculty Tutorials) and refer to it often until you learn how to navigate the site. Since this class moves very quickly, you have a very short window to learn how to post discussions, use the video option, access Modules, Power points, use the Discussion forums, upload assignments, open and complete exams for the course, send and respond to emails.
Reading the textbook: It is essential that you acquire a copy of the text, read it, take notes, outline the chapters, and review it on a regular basis. You should also make use of the course resource materials contained in each Module. These include lecture notes, learning objectives, any articles and power point presentations for each chapter covered in the class.
Exams
There will be a total of five (5) exams and a syllabus quiz administered during the Fall 2017 semester. These exams will assess whether you have read the chapters, reviewed chapter resources provided in the Modules, and have a good grasp of the content contained in each. The exams are worth 100 points each and some exams will cover multiple chapters.
Each exam will cover all chapter readings in the corresponding chapter Modules and any articles distributed electronically. The discussions and exams are announced at the end of a Module, and direct you to respond to the discussion prompt and to review for upcoming chapter exams.
If an exam, discussion, or assignment is missed for any reason, no makeup will be given, and there are no exceptions. Please remember that the semester moves very quickly, so please do not allow yourself to fall behind either in your textbook readings, module reviews or weekly discussions. It is important that you are always aware of the deadline dates for all assignments in the course, so you should be active in the class several times each week, checking your Syllabus, Announcements, Discussions, Assignments, and all other course updates.
Discussions
You are required to submit responses to eachweekly online virtual class discussion during this term. The discussions are based on chapter or supplemental readings, videos, current topics within the field of African American Studies and will be given to you as discussion prompts. Each will require you to conceptualize and integrate textbook readings and respond to the prompt in a way that clearly indicates that you have completed the readings, lecture materials, and power point presentations for the chapters, and have thought about core course concepts.
I strongly urge you to read the textbook before responding to discussion questions (DQs). You do not need to go online to obtain references for responding to DQs. However, if you do, please be sure that you are citing your references carefully and correctly using MLA style and formatting (no exceptions), making sure not to take credit for words, thoughts, ideas or work that are not your own. To do so constitutes plagiarism, and if you plagiarize any assignment, you will receive an automatic zero on that assignment. If you continue to plagiarize, you may be subject to disciplinary action. I frequently check the source of your discussions to ensure that there has been no plagiarism or academic dishonesty.Plagiarism is a serious violation of student conduct and carries serious consequences.
Each weekly discussion will be worth 20 points and will be graded based on your integration, conceptualization and ability to apply concepts in your responses. Please note that correct grammar, punctuation, syntax and spelling are required in all your written responses for this class.
Responses such as, “I agree with you” are not acceptable in any form and discussion responses such as these will not receive points. Responses to class discussions must contribute to and enhance course dialogue and not simply mimic a previous response. Eachdiscussion response must be a minimum of 75-150 words. There is no exception to the 75 to 150 word minimum limit.
On Monday of every week, I post the initial Discussion Questions (DQs). Similarly, every week, you are required to post your initial response(s) no later than Wednesday by 11:59 PM. After your initial post, you and your classmates must then make one (1) additional discussion post (from Thursday through Sunday) before the Sunday 11:59 PM deadline. If you miss the deadline for your initial post, you should still post two (2) total responses for the week (even though you can’t earn the total 20 points due to late submission).
Please make sure that you read the instructions carefully for each week’s discussion. You are required to provide your initial DQ post on Wednesday (before midnight) of each week and have all two (2) of your discussions posted every Sunday night (before midnight). Failure to follow these strict deadlines will result in points being deducted from your discussion responses.
Class Participation
This class will be conducted in an online discussion format, which requires a considerable amount of student involvement. In order to be effectively involved, students must come to the site having read the assigned material. A measure of class participation will be the level of online engagement by providing cogent discussions when responding to the posted Discussion Questions (better known as DQs).
Be positive and respectful of others' ideas. Be patient and fully read the comments of all other class members thoroughly before posting your discussion and do not simply mimic the responses of your classmates. Be constructive, thoughtful and timely in providing feedback in group discussions.
Late Policy
Late assignments will not be accepted. A missed assignment earns zero points. If I am unable to open your document, for whatever reason, and you fail to send me a new version that I can successfully open within one week of the date that I request the new document, you will earn zero points on that assignment. There are no exceptions to this rule.
During this Fall 2017 semester, please primarily use the “Inbox” function within Canvas to contact me as I check that site much more frequently than my campus email. Please allow up to 48 hours for a response (Monday-Friday) and as a courtesy, do not send emails on weekends and holidays. After the Fall 2017 session has ended, you can reach me at
Important Information
The responsibility to withdraw from a class is with the student, and simply informing the instructor is not sufficient notice. Failure to observe this procedure and complete the formal withdrawal process could result in receiving a grade of "F" in the course. Please check the Important Dates on the college website listed in the Fall 2017 Schedule of Classes.
If I notice that you are absent from the class and are not checking in on a regular basis, I will send you an email requesting that you re-engage with the course and your required assignments. However, if you continue to be absent from the class without notice, or do not respond to my emails, you may be dropped from the course due to a lack of participation. Once dropped, no student will be reinstated, and there is no exception to this policy.
Advice:
Do not allow yourself to fall behind on your reading assignments because there is simply too much material to try to cram for chapter readings, discussions, and exams at the last minute. Please review class Announcements, Modules and Assignments, and the Syllabus at least several times each week to stay current in the class. I recommend checking into the class site daily just to stay current.
Suggestions:
Make sure that you carefully read the instructions for each assignment and stay focused with your writing in response to discussions. Don’t be lengthy without purpose.
Make sure that your writing flows well when you read it aloud.
Do not start several sentences in a row with the same one or two words.
Each discussion must be a minimum of 75 – 150 words.
All written work must be free of grammatical, punctuation and sentence structure errors.
Critiquing the ideas of your peers, not them personally
Creating an intellectually stimulating environment where everyone is comfortable and is able to critically engage with the text(s) and each other
Please proofread all written work you submit, especially discussions.
If I send you an email regarding an assignment that cannot be opened, you must respond or you will automatically earn a 0 grade on that assignment.
You should expect to spend at least 5-10 hours per week studying for this class. If your schedule does not permit you to invest this amount of time for this class, I strongly urge you to drop the class.
Announcements will be posted frequently throughout the semester, and it is your responsibility to read them to know what is expected of you. You should check into the class frequently so that you are aware of assignment deadlines, especially discussions, assignments and exams. The Announcement page is extremely important, and you should check it each time you log into the class. I encourage you to go back and review old Announcements if you think you may have missed something or need clarification on an assignment. I will post the latest updates for the class there.
Grading
Syllabus Quiz40 points
Participation/Discussion Posts (8 @ 20 points)160 points
Multiple Choice Exams (5 @ 100 points)500 points
Total Points Possible:700 points
Points GradePercentages
630-700 A 100-90%
560-629 B 80-89%
490-559 C 70-79%
420-489 D 60-69%
419- F 59% and below
UC/CSU Transferable
This course satisfies the Humanities requirement for UC/CSU transfer as outlined on the IGETC and/or Plan A and Plan B for the Associate degree.
Class Code of Conduct
Every student is expected to adhere to the Los Angeles Valley College student code of conduct ( As burgeoning scholars, it is important to share our opinions and contribute with rich and diverse experiences based on social constructions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, ability, and age. However, we will maintain a positive, respectful class environment and intellectual climate. Everyone will refrain from disrespectful language, hate speech (i.e. racist, sexist, classist) and personal attacks. In addition, attacks based on race, color, culture, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, disability, etc is not tolerated. Engaging in such antagonistic behavior will harm your participation grade. Disruptive behavior may result in dismissal, suspension, or expulsion from the course.
Academic Integrity Statement
Plagiarism is the use of others’ words and/or ideas without clearly acknowledging their source. When you incorporate those words and ideas into your own work, you must give credit where credit is due. Plagiarism, intentional or unintentional, is considered academic dishonesty and is not tolerated. Anyone found to be plagiarizing or cheating on assignments (e.g., copying or giving answers, using ‘cheat’ sheets, etc.) will (1) receive a zero (fail) on the assignment, and (2) be referred to the Vice President of Student Services for further disciplinary action, following due process. For further information on plagiarism refer to the STANDARDS OF STUDENT CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINARY ACTION in the current Schedule of Classes and Catalog.
Disability and Access
If you are a student with a disability requiring classroom accommodations, and have not contacted Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD), please do so in a timely manner. SSD is located in the Student Services Annex, Room 175 or call SSD at (818) 947-2681 or TTD (818) 947-2680 to meet with a SSD counselor. If SSD has already sent me a memo confirming accommodations required by the student for this class, please meet with me to discuss arrangements.
Important Fall Dates & Deadlines
Friday, 11/10: Veterans’ Holiday
Sunday, 11/19: Last Day to Drop Classes with a “W” (Internet Only)
Thursday, 11/23-Sunday, 11/26: Thanksgiving Holiday
Monday, 12/11-Sunday, 12/17: Final Examination Week
Course Schedule
(*SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITH NOTICE*)
Week 1October 16-22, 2017
Review Syllabus
Class Guidelines & Introductions
Chapter 12
“The Meaning of Freedom: The Promise of Reconstruction”
October 22Syllabus Quiz
Week 2 October 23-29, 2017
Chapter 13
“The Meaning of Freedom: The Failure of Reconstruction”
October 29Exam #1 Chapters 12, 13
Week 3October 30-November 5, 2017
“White Supremacy Triumphant: African...”Chapter 14
“African Americans Challenge…”Chapter 15
Week 4November 6-12, 2017
Conciliation, Agitation, and Migration…”Chapter 16
November 12Exam #2 Chapters 14-16
Week 5November 13-19, 2017
“African Americans and the 1920s” Chapter 17
“Black Protest, the Great, Depression…” Chapter 18
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Week 6November 20-26, 2017
“Meanings of Freedom: Culture and…”Chapter 19
November 26Exam #3 Chapters 17-19
Week 7November 27-Decmber 3, 2017
“The World War II Era …” Chapter 20
“The Long Freedom Movement”Chapter 21
“Black Nationalism, Black Power…” Chapter 22
Week 8December 4-10, 2017
“African Americans in the Twenty-First…” Chapter 23
“Black Politics From 1980 to the Present…” Chapter 24
December 10Exam #4 Chapters 20-22
Week 9 December 11-17, 2017 (Finals Week)
December 17Final Examination Chapters23, 24