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PSY470: Psychology of Slavery

Anderson 41

Winter Mini-term 2007

11-3pm

Professor: Regan Lookadoo, Ph.D.

Office: Anderson Hall Room 17

Office Hours: By appointment

Daytime Phone: 863-8165

E-mail:

Mailing Address: Regan Lookadoo

400 East College Street

Georgetown, KY40324

Blackboard: Blackboard will be used in this course for assignment submission (following the last day of class). Grades and announcements will also be posted on Blackboard.

Each student is expected to have access to their Georgetown College E-mail. I will send notices and reminders via the student college emails. If you do not currently use your Georgetown Email you will need to begin using it or forward the mail from your Georgetown account to an account you use. I will not use accounts that are not GeorgetownCollege accounts. Go to or click on spider on the following links Students/Computing Information/GC E-mail.

Required Readings:

  • Akbar, N. (1996). Breaking the Chains of Psychological Slavery. Mind Productions and Associates. (95 pages)
  • Bibb, H. (2007). Narrative of the Life and Adventures of Henry Bibb An American Slave Written by Himself. BiblioBazaar. (150 pages)
  • Griffler, K.P. (2004). Front Line of Freedom: African Americans and the Forging of the Underground Railroad in the OhioValley (Ohio RiverValley). University Press of Kentucky. (130 pages)
  • Hudson, J. B. (2002). Fugitive Slaves and Underground Railroad in Kentucky Borderland. McFarland and Company. (165 pages)
  • Parker, J. P. (edited by S. S. Sprague) (1998). His Promised Land. W.W. Norton: New York. (154 pages)

Recommended Readings:

  • Belgrave, F. Z. & Allison, K.W. (2005). African American Psychology: From Africa to America. Sage Publishers. (464 pages)
  • Watson, P. (2007). Psychology and Race. Transaction Publishers: New Jersey. (491 pages)

Videos:

  • Africans in America (4 part series) – 90mins each
  • Terrible Transformations
  • Revolution
  • Judgment Day
  • Brotherly Love
  • Kentucky’s Underground Railroad: Passage to Freedom (KET)
  • Underground Railroad (The History Channel)- 100mins

Prerequisite: PSY111

Course Description and Objectives:

  • The purpose of this course is to explore the psychological trauma caused by slavery. This will include an examination of the cognitive, behavioral, emotional, social, cultural and physical trauma experienced by slaves during the years of slavery in the United States. In addition to the study of psychological suffering during slavery; the class will also focus on the lasting psychological effects of slavery on modern society including topics such as dominant and subordinate groups, prejudice, discrimination, oppression, cognitive frameworks and stereotypes and identity formation. In addition, the class will include a special focus on slavery and the Underground Railroad.

Class Format & Attendance:

  • The class format will be discussion-oriented. Discussions will consist of class participation of assigned readings. Questions and class participation are strongly encouraged.
  • Class attendance is mandatory. Students who miss class due to an unexcused absence will receive a 10 point deduction per class hour missed (one day of class =40 point deduction).
  • Attendance on class trips is mandatory. The following class trips are scheduled for the course:
  • Georgetown College Underground Railroad Institute
  • African American Heritage Trail, Lexington, KY
  • Waveland Plantation, Lexington, KY
  • Various museums and tours, Freedom Center, Cincinnati, OH; Ripley, OH; Maysville, KY & Washington, KY

Course Requirements:

I.Assigned Readings and Lecture information

  • Students are responsible for all assigned readings (books and supplemental readings). Students are required to read the material before class and be prepared to discuss the material in class. The readings will be divided into chapters per class period, it is important that students read the chapters assigned before coming to class each day; however, students are encouraged to read ahead if possible.

II.Exam- 300 points – Due Friday, Jan. 23rd

  • One take home exam will be assigned the last day of class. The questions will be in essay format. Students will be expected to integrate material from lecture, discussions, videos, readings, guest speakers and class trips in their answers. Exam answers must be typed. Due Friday, January 23rd.

III. Article Discussion 50 points- Due IN CLASS Friday, Jan.9th

  • Students will be reading 2current peer-reviewed articles involving a studythat examines African Americans, prejudice, and stereotypes. Students will have the flexibility to select the article on their own; however, I must approve the article. Students are required to present the information in their article to the class on the last day of class. The discussion should include a summary of the study or information examined and an integration of material discussed in class with the material in the article. Students should each prepare2 discussion questions per article. Due Friday, January9th in class.

IV. Reflection Papers 100 points- Due IN CLASS each day (refer to schedule)

  • Students are expected to write 10, one-typed-page reflection papers on nightly readings. These papers should summarize the pages read and discuss the student’s opinions and ideas about the readings. Due each day of class (see schedule). Reflection papers 9 & 10 are due via email by Monday, Jan. 12th.

V.Journal-100 points- Due Wednesday, Jan. 14th

  • Students are expected to maintain a journal of reflections over material discussed in class, in videos, and class trips. The journal should be one page-length, typed entries and must contain a minimum of 10 total entries. Students should reflect upon their personal experiences as they explore the psychological issues related to slavery through classroom discussions, class videos and class trips. Due on or before Wednesday, January 14th.
  1. Reaction Paper 250 points- Due Monday, Jan. 19th
  2. Students will write a 5 page reaction paper to the booksentitled, The Life and Adventure of Henry Bibb: An American Slave and His Promised Land. The reaction shouldcompare and contrast the experiences of both Henry Bibb and John Parker as they escaped from slavery and established a new life for themselves. The reaction should also incorporate points from the book with topics discussed in class or on class trips. Due on or before Monday, January 19th.

VII. Book Report -200 points- Due Friday, Jan 16th

  • Students will write a 6-8 page book report based upon the books entitled, Frontline of Freedomand Fugitive Slaves and the Underground Railroad in the Kentucky Borderland. This report should summarize important events in the book and integrate information from the video series, Africans in America and the Underground Railroad documentariesas well as class trips.Due on or before Monday, January 16th.

*Assignments that are due in class must be submitted as hard copies; however, assignments that are due after the last day of class must be submitted electronically via Blackboard rather than through email attachments.

*A late assignment will receive a letter grade deduction for each day the assignment is late. All assignments must be submitted in hard copy form. Email-submissions will not be accepted. Referencing in papers should be in APA format.

Course Grades:

1take-home exam300

Article Discussion 50

Reflection Papers100

Journal 100

Reaction Paper 250

Book Report200

Total points : 1000

Grading Scale:

1000-930A

929-880A/B

879-830B

829-780B/C

779-700C

699-600D

599 –BelowF

Academic Misconduct:

The Georgetown College Honor System (page 181 in the student handbook) states that infractions of the honor system are the following: cheating, plagiarism, stealing, lying (in academic matters), forgery, double assignments (use of one assignment to fulfill the requirements of more than one course). Anyone engaging in academic misconduct will be dealt with according to college policies outlined in the student handbook page.

Special Needs:

If you need any assistance in the classroom due to a disability, please contact Disability Services at (863)-8004/7074/7956 during the first week of class so that arrangements can be made to accommodate you. After initial arrangements have been made with that office, please contact me.

Office Hours:

I encourage each of you to schedule an appointment with me if you need additional help outside of class. Also you may e-mail me any questions you might have.

Changes in Syllabus:

I reserve the right to make changes to the syllabus as is deemed necessary. I will give as much notice as possible if a change is needed.

Class Schedule:

The class schedule listed on the next page is only a tentative schedule that may be changed if necessary. Any changes to this outline will be discussed in class. It is your responsibility to become aware of due dates for assignments, projects, and exams by looking at the schedule and by being attentive to any changes to due dates that are discussed in class.

Tentative Class Schedule

Day / Content / Time / Homework
Monday
Dec. 29th / Lecture Material: Africentric Psychology
Video & Discussion: Terrible Transformations; How Bias are you? / 11-12:30
12:30-3:00 / Read Front Line of Freedom: African Americans and the Forging of the Underground Railroad in the OhioValley (Ohio RiverValley)
(Approx. 65 pages)
Write Reflection Paper 1
Tuesday
Dec. 30th / Lecture Material: Kinship and Family; Educational Systems
Video: Revolution
Discussion of Readings
Reflection Paper 1 due / 11-12:30
12:30-2:00
2:00-3:00 / Read Front Line of Freedom: African Americans and the Forging of the Underground Railroad in the OhioValley (Ohio RiverValley)
(Approx. 65 pages)
Write Reflection Paper 2
Wednesday
Dec. 31st / Lecture Material: Neighborhoods & Communities; Interpersonal and Close Relationships
Video: Judgment Day
Discussion of Readings
Reflection Paper 2 Due / 11-12:30
12:30-2:00
2:00-3:00 / Read The Life and Adventures of Henry Bibb: An American Slave (Approx. 80 pages)
Write Reflection Paper 3
Thursday
Jan. 1st / NO CLASSES
HAPPY NEW YEAR! / Read His Promised Land
(Approx. 77 pages)
Write Reflection Paper 4
Friday
Jan.2nd / Lecture Material: Religion & Spirituality
Video: Brotherly Love
Discussion of Readings
Reflection Paper 3 & 4 Due / 11-12:30
12:30-2:00
2:00-3:00 / Read Fugitive Slaves and Underground Railroad in Kentucky Borderland.
(Approx. 55 pages)
Write Reflection Paper 5
Saturday
Jan. 3rd / Class Trip to Maysville, KY & Ripley OH / 8am-8pm
Meet in Anderson Parking Lot / Read Fugitive Slaves and Underground Railroad in Kentucky Borderland.
(Approx. 55 pages)
Monday
Jan.5th / Lecture Material: Self Attributes and Identity; Life Span Development
Video: Kentucky’s Underground Railroad: Passage to Freedom (KET)
Discussion of Readings
Discussion of Class Trips
Reflection Paper 5 Due / 11am-12:00
12:00-2:00
2:00-3:00 / Read Fugitive Slaves and Underground Railroad in Kentucky Borderland.
(Approx. 55 pages)
Find Journal Articles
Write Reflection Paper 6
Tuesday
Jan.6th / Class Trip to FreedomCenter, Cincinnati, OH
Reflection Paper 6 Due / 10-4pm / Read Breaking the Chains of Psychological Slavery
(95 pages)
Write Reflection Paper 7
Wednesday Jan. 7th / Lecture Material: Health, Illness, and Disability; Psychosocial Adaptation and Mental Health
Video: The Underground Railroad
Discussion of Readings
Reflection Paper 7 Due / 11-12:30
12:30-2:00
2:00-3:00 / Read The Life and Adventures of Henry Bibb: An American Slave (Approx. 80 pages)
Write Reflection Paper 8
Thursday
Jan. 8th / Class Trip to Lexington / 11-3 / Read Journal Articles
Read The Life and Adventures of Henry Bibb: An American Slave (Approx. 80 pages)
Friday
Jan. 9th / Lecture Material: Drug Use and Abuse; Aggression, Violence, & Crime
Video: Cultural Identity
Discussion of Readings, Article Presentations & Reflection on the Class
Reflection Paper 8 Due in class / 11-12:30
12:30-1:30
1:30-3:00 / Read The Life and Adventures of Henry Bibb: An American Slave (Approx. 80 pages)
Write 1 Reflection Paper regarding the experiences of personal growth during the class & 1 Reflection paper regarding the strengths & weaknesses of the class
Email Reflection papers 9 & 10 to me by Monday, Jan. 12th.

Assignment Due Dates:

Daily—Reflection Papers—See Schedule & Monday Jan. 12th

Friday, Jan. 9th—Article Discussion

Wednesday, Jan. 14th—Journal

Friday, Jan. 16th—Book Report

Monday, Jan. 19th—Reaction Paper

Friday, Jan. 23rd—Exam