African American Studies 4Winter 2018

African Americans in the History of the United States I

Department of Sociology and Ethnic Studies, Los Angeles Valley College

Instructor: K. MorrisEmail:

Course Description

This course explores the history of African Americans from their origins in Africa to the Civil War. We will emphasize critical moments in Black history, stressing how such examples may have relevance today. We are especially concerned with unpacking notions of race, class & gender and examining how these categories affect African Americans, specifically, in relation to the national history of the United States. Anyone willing to conscientiously study, reflect upon and discuss these issues is welcome in this class.

Required Texts:

The African American Odyssey, Volume I by Darlene Clark Hine

Grading
Discussion/Reflection (11 discussions; 10 are worth 20 points each)
Note: Discussion #1 is required and will give you 5 extra credit points / 200 pts
Quizzes (3)40 pts each / 120 pts
Midterm Exam / 100 pts
Book Review / 80 pts
Final Exam / 100 pts
Total points possible / 600 pts
Class Objectives

The goal of this course is to encourage you to think, read, write, and speak critically about African-American history. The classroom is the place where we synthesize and clarify the main ideas and themes that come up in readings, films and class discussions. I encourage you to fully participate in your learning experience.

This course is also intended to help you develop necessary skills that will enable you to succeed in college courses. Reading critically, analyzing complex ideas and studying the arguments of others will enhance both the development of your own ideas and the articulation of your views.

Book Review

Your book review is on two of the most well-known slave narratives – The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass and Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Jacobs. Both texts are free online. You will write a 2-3 page comparison/contrast essay that responds to questions about these narratives. I will ask you leading questions to help you craft appropriate responses. This assignment will be posted on 1/5/2018 and is due on 1/26/2018.

UC/CSU Transferrable

This course satisfies the Social and Behavioral Sciences requirement for UC/CSU transfer as outlined on the IGETZ and/or Plan A and Plan B for the Associate’s degree. It also satisfies the CSU United States History, Constitution and American Ideals requirement.

Student Learning Outcome

Students who succeed in this course will 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 experience and American culture.

Expectations and Requirements

Attendance: Online attendance is mandatory. This course requires your virtual “attendance” at least four times a week. You need to devote a minimum of 6 “online hours” and 5-10 “reading hours” per week to this course. Remember, if this course were offered on campus, you would spend about 10 hours in class and this doesn’t account for the driving time and the time required to read assignments outside of class. Be mindful of the time commitment for this course and manage your time well.

Participation: Students are expected to do the reading and participate in our online discussions and activities. Active, productive class participation requires the following:

  • Attendance & Involvement
  • Be critical of ideas, not other people.
  • Listen to others’ ideas, even if you do not agree.
  • Try to understand all sides of an issue.
  • Add to the discussions, even if your thought or idea is incomplete.
  • Give encouragement and approval to others.
  • Seek out differences in opinion among your classmates.
  • Be sympathetic and understanding of others’ views.
Discussion Board

Participating in class discussions is the only way that I know that you are attending the course. This part of the course is worth 200 points of your grade, so take it seriously. You must respond to the discussion questions each week; and you must respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts for each discussion. Your grade for this section is based on the timeliness of your posts as well as the content. You are able to earn a total of 20 points per discussion – 10 points for your response to my discussion question and 5 points each for your responses to your peers. The total number of points available for discussion at the end of term is 200 points. This total will then be changed into a letter grade (using the 100-point scale of course).

  • Regarding timeliness – At least two new discussion questions will be posted each week. Each question will be open for a set period of time, after which, it will be closed. Please respond within the required timeframe. Also, do not make a habit of responding at the last minute. This does not give you time to get feedback from your peers and actively engage in the discussion.
  • Regarding content – Make sure that your posts are substantive. Post at least two full paragraphs to my posted questions and one paragraph each in response to each of your classmates’ posts. You may quote from assigned readings to support your posts. Think critically about the question being asked and be able to back up your claims. In your replies to your peers, do not simply agree or disagree with their statements, but explain why and offer evidence to support your stance. Also, do not cut and paste my words from any of the modules or the words of any other author and use them as your own. Your posts must reflect your own learning process and part of that process is thinking and writing for yourselves.

Class Code of Conduct

All students are expected to adhere to the LAVC student codes of conduct. In addition, please remain acutely aware of disrespectful language, including that which disparages persons or groups due to race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, disability, etc. WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. Students refusing to maintain expectations will be asked to leave the course.

Getting Started

To begin the course, go to the class portal at:

The Virtual Valley website has detailed login instructions for those who need them. Their web address is:

The course begins officially on Monday, June 12th. IF YOU DO NOT LOG IN BY TUESDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK OF CLASS, YOU WILL BE DROPPED FROM THIS COURSE.

System Requirements

It is your responsibility to make sure that your computer system is in sync with the CANVAS system. Please go to the link on the left-hand side of the CANVAS portal, entitled “System Requirements” to make sure that your computer system is up to snuff. If you have any problems, please contact one of the following:

Canvas Phone Help Hotline: (844) 303-5595
Monday - Thursday, 5pm - 8am
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday - 24 hours

Virtual Valley Help Desk
Phone: (818) 778-5834
Email:
Monday - Thursday, 12pm - 6pm

Technical difficulties are not a good excuse for missing deadlines, assignments or required discussions.

Academic Honesty: Plagiarism, cheating, or academic dishonesty of any kind will not be tolerated. Students found cheating will fail said assignment or exam. In addition, extra credit privileges will be revoked and all violations will be reported to the Dean of Academic Discipline.

Attention: If you are a student with a disability and require classroom accommodations, please contact SSD (Services for Students with Disabilities) in a timely manner. SSD is located in the Student Services Annex, ROOM 175 or you may call the office at (818) 947-2680.

Course Schedule:

Date / Assigned Reading and Coursework / Topic/Objective
Week One
1/2-1/7
Modules: / Introduction to the Course
A Brief History of Africa
The Middle Passage / Syllabus; expectations; etc.
Concepts of civilization and West African tribal nations; The Atlantic Slave Trade; focus on the Middle Passage
Reading / Chapters One and Two
Discussions 1-3 / Discussion 1 – Introduction is due 1/4
Discussion 2 – Africa Chapter is due 1/7
Discussion 3 – Middle Passage Chapter is due 1/7
Quiz / Quiz Opens on 1/5; Due on 1/8
Week Two
1/8-1/14
Modules: / Colonial North America
The American Revolutionary War
African Americans and the “New” Country / Establishment of systems of servitude and slavery; Enlightenment; Participation in the American Revolution; Our Founding Fathers and Scientific racism; Gradual emancipation; Our Constitution and Slavery;
Reading: / Chapters Three, Four and Five
Thomas Jefferson –excerpts from “Notes on the State of Virginia” (on Canvas)
Discussions:
4-5 / Discussion 4 is due 1/11
Discussion 5 is due 1/14
Quiz: / Quiz #2 / Study Guide will be available for upcoming midterm exam
Week Three
1/15 – 1/21
Modules: / Plantation Life
Free Blacks in Antebellum America / Free Black Communities; African American Institutions; Industrial vs. agricultural economies; Trail of Tears
Reading: / Chapters Six and Seven
Discussions: / Discussion 6 is due 1/18
Discussion 7 is due 1/21
Exam: / Midterm Exam / Opens 1/18; Closes 1/23
Week Four
1/22 – 1/28
Modules: / Opposition to Slavery
The Slave Narrative / The slave narrative and abolitionism
Sexual exploitation and slavery; Stereotypes from the slave era
Reading: / Chapters Eight, Nine and Ten
Screening of Ethnic Notions by Marlon Riggs (available through LAVC’s library database)
Discussions: / Discussion 8 is due 1/25
Discussion 9 is due 1/28
Quiz: / Quiz #3
Book Reviews Due 1/26/2018 / Study Guide will be available for upcoming final exam
Week Five
1/29-2/4
Modules: / The Civil War and Freedom / Limits of freedom; westward expansion of slavery; National debates over slavery; The Civil War
Reading: / Chapter Eleven
Discussions: / Discussion 10 is due 2/1
Discussion 11 is due 2/2
Exam: / Final Exam / Opens 2/1; Closes 2/4