Minority Studies Syllabus for 2011-2012
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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Disability Statement

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (Student Service Center room 119, phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.

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As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

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Course

SOCI-2319-004 Minority Studies

Prerequisites

RDNG 0331-minimum grade of C or a score on a state-approved test indicating college-level reading skills

Course Description

Course provides a sociological analysis of American racial and ethnic groups. Focus on conceptual tools of analysis, background information of various groups, demographics, intergroup relations, policy and trends.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Schaefer, Richard T. (2011). Racial and Ethnic Groups: CENSUS UPDATE VERSION ONLY (12th Edition).  Boston: Prentice Hall.

ISBN # 13: 978-0-205-80051-3

YOU MUST PURCHASE THE CENSUS UPDATE VERSION OF THE TEXT!

Amazon.com has some used copies for $77.00 at:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0205800513/ref=sr_1_2_up_1_main_olp?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1311220932&sr=1-2&condition=used

Barnes and Noble has used copies AND YOU CAN RENT THE TEXT WITH THE CENSUS UPDATE FOR $45.00 (APPROX). Go to:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/racial-and-ethnic-groups-census-update-richard-t-schaefer/1100057191?ean=9780205800513&itm=2&usri=race%2band%2bethnic%2bgroups%2bschaefer

As well, you can go to Textbooks Direct and find good prices on used texts, OR rent the book. Go to:

http://www.directtextbook.com/prices/9780205698301

Supplies

You must have access to a working computer, and/or be available to work on campus during our computer lab and library hours.  It is your responsibility to have your computer working during the duration of this course, or to be on campus to use t

Student Performance

By the END of this course, students will be able to:

1. Provide specific information, both background and contemporary, about particular racial/ethnic groups and their relationship to the larger culture.
2. Engage in critical analysis and creative thinking in considering the study of racial/ethnic groups, and in understanding the influence of prejudice, discrimination and stereotyping on these groups.
3. Use what, in sociology, is called a "sociological imagination" in considering racial and ethnic relations.
4. Examine and understand governmental policies and programs as they affect various racial/ethnic groups, as well as to examine developing trends in these policies and programs.
5. Analyze and integrate knowledge about various demographic changes and trends related to racial and ethnic immigration patterns, as they are occurring nationally and globally.
6. Utilize, when appropriate, a comparative or cross-cultural approach to enhance understanding of the students own racial/ethnic group or groups.

7) By the end of this course, students will have a greater appreciation for diversity within societies, cultures, social classes, racial, ethnic, and religious groups, as well as within social institutions, and are able to think critically about issues in multicultural sociology that impact them. As well, students will be able to use this knowledge to better their own social relationships and society in general, in relating to and working with people from diverse groups and all walks of life.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

Students are expected to engage in appropriate "netiquette" within the ONLINE PORTION OF THIS CLASS, and to engage in civil behaviors in the classroom portion of this course.  Inappropriate behaviors, such as swearing, discussion of inappropriate issues NOT related to the courseroom material, or any type of intolerance or rudeness to other learners will not be tolerated and may result in failing the class, or dismissal from Amarillo College. Treat others as you like to be treated and everything should be fine!

Now, having said that, please remember that this is an COLLEGE LEVEL COURSE, and we will be discussing controversial issues in an ADULT MANNER!  You are expected to act like an adult in these discussions and realize that others may think and feel differently than you on a host of issues related to sociology!  Diversity is a GREAT THING and to be APPRECIATED in this instructors opinion.  If you find something offensive that is said by another student OR your instructor, please don't hesitate to contact me and discuss this with me.  However, it's important to remember that this course is not designed to CONFIRM YOUR OWN POLITICAL or RELIGIOUS BELIEFS, but rather to get you to think about sociology, society, and people in a bigger way than you may have already been exposed to. IN THAT, YOU MAY FIND YOURSELF UNCOMFORTABLE AT TIMES, AS YOU ARE BEING REQUIRED TO STRETCH OUTSIDE OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE! This is a part of what it means to get an education!  Obviously, learning to see the world in a different light is the goal of this course! 

If you have a complaint about this course, please contact me first.  If you are uncomfortable doing that, you may contact my supervisor, Mr. Jerry Moller at DURR 212A, 371-5297

If you have a concern that something you want to write online or that you want to say in class would offend others in the courseroom, run it by me first. Simply contact me via the courseroom email. As well, if you are aware of any student being mistreated or harrassed in this course (including yourself), please bring it to my immediate attention.  We have zero tolerance for any student being mistreated here at Amarillo College. This will be a SAFE place for the expression of ideas and exchanges! Remember, you are an adult and differences of opinion and beliefs, and ideas is a critical part of adult education! Thanks! Dr. Harding

Grading Criteria

The GRADING SCALE FOR THIS COURSE WILL BE:

89.45 - 100 = A              79.45 - 89.44 = B                69.45 - 79.44 = C            49.45 - 69.44 = D           Below 49.45 is an F.

YOUR FINAL GRADE WILL BE BASED ON THE FOLLOWING:

4 EXAMS WORTH 100 POINTS EACH, with your lowest exam score being dropped ONLY IF YOU TAKE ALL FOUR EXAMS!  SEE BELOW**:

• EXAM 1 COVERS CHAPTERS 1, & 2 LECTURES AND FILMS

• EXAM 2 COVERS CHAPTERS 3, 4 AND 5, LECTURE AND FILMS

• EXAM 3 COVERS CHAPTERS 6, 7 , 8, 9 and 10 GROUP PRESENTATIONS AND TEXTBOOK READINGS

• EXAM 4 COVERS CHAPTERS 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 GROUP PRESENTATIONS, LECTURE and TEXTBOOK READGINGS.

YOUR GROUP CHAPTER PRESENTATION COVERING ONE OF THE FOLLOWING CHAPTERS 6, 7, 8 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 OR 14, AND WORTH 100 POINTS.

ASSIGNMENTS:  You will turn in completed study guides for the first two exams (worth 10 points each).  As well, YOU WILL WATCH 5 FILMS IN THIS CLASS, AND YOU WILL HAVE QUESTIONS OVER THE FILMS ON YOUR EXAMS.  3 OF THE FILMS WILL BE SHOWN IN CLASS, AND TWO OF THE FILMS YOU WILL WATCH ON YOUR OWN, ONLINE! For one of these films, you will turn in a written lab online, worth 10 points (THE KKK DOCUMENTARY LAB).

• Some of our films we'll be watching online on the computer for homework, while a couple of them we'll watch in class.

• You will have questions over the films on your exams.  You will also have one written film lab over the KKK film that you will watch online.  Be sure to do that lab and submit your film lab online for your grade.

• You will also have a chance to rent the film THE HELP and watch it, turn in a 1 to 2 page essay over the film for EXTRA CREDIT (in case you happen to miss an assignment OR have a poor test score, these points will replace a missed assignment or add 10 points to a low exam score). 

ATTENDANCE and PARTICIPATION POINTS worth 50 points.  I WILL TAKE ATTENDANCE 10 TIMES THIS SEMESTER. You can count on attendance points for each day we have a film!  Other attendance points will be random throughout the semester.

YOUR TOTAL NUMBER OF POINTS FOR THIS COURSE IS

EXAMS (lowest score dropped) = 300** (as long as you take all four exams, you get to drop your lowest score).

GROUP PROJECT = 100 POINTS

STUDY GUIDES and FILM LAB = 30 points

ATTENDANCE = 50 points

TOTAL: 480 POINTS

Attendance

90% of success is showing up!  ~ Woody Allen

Class attendance and participation is very important to this instructor.  I hope that you will make the choice to be in class on a regular basis because you want to be and are excited about learning! There is no doubt that students who attend class do better than those who do not. To encourage you to attend class, this instructor will randomly take roll 10 times during the semester.  This will happen at the beginning of class. Being ON TIME, and being IN CLASS will allow you to maximize your attendance grade.  Attendance could be a deciding factor in the grade received.

Calendar

Additional Information

It is this instructor's stated intention regarding this course that all students will gain a deeper insight into their own racial and/or ethnic group, and will develop a broader understanding and a deeper appreciation for the plight of all human beings, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or gender.  As populations grow, our world is literally shrinking!  Our human interactions within this world are growing increasingly diverse as all of us regularly come into contact with people from all over the world, of different backgrounds, cultures, races and ethnic origins.  Being an effective WORLD CITIZEN in this day and age demands that we all learn more about each other, and that each of us grow and change with the world around us.  It is this instructor's personal hope that this course in Minority Relations will assist each student in becoming a more adept and committed WORLD CITIZEN. 

• FOUR 100 pt exams covering lectures and chapters.  Exam 1 is over chps 1 & 2.  Exam 2 is over chapters 3, 4, 5.  Exam 3 is over student presentations and textbook readings on chapters 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10.  And Exam 4 is over student presentations and textbook readings for chapters 11, 12, 13 14, 15 and 17, worth 100 pts each.  YOU MUST TAKE ALL FOUR EXAMS, WHICH WILL BE ONLINE AND OPEN FOR 1 WEEK TIME.  IF AND ONLY IF YOU TAKE ALL FOUR EXAMS, YOUR LOWEST EXAM SCORE WILL BE DROPPED.  If you fail to take an exam, that 0 will count towards your grade and will lower your grade substantially.  As long as you take all four exams, your exam point total will be 300 pts. If you fail to take an exam, your exam total will be 400 points possible (with one of those exams being a 0!).
• A group presentation covering ONE of the following chapters 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14 or 15.  This is worth 100 points. Further discussion on this project will be detailed in another section of the syllabus.  Students will be given CLASS TIME to work in their groups over a three week period.
• Your instructor will take roll and/or score participation 10 times over the semester, worth 50 points total, but 5 pts each.  These points are given randomly at various times at the begnning of class. If you are late, you will not receive your points on that day.  If we have a film, you will have an attendance taken for that day.  You will also get attendance points for the group presetntations. If you miss these presentations, it will count against your grade for the group project.
• TWO STUDY GUIDES and 1 film lab worth 10 points each.  You will watch a total of 5 films, and there will be questions over the films.  One of these films has a written lab that you will turn in.  As well, you can get 10 extra credit points for watching THE HELP on your own, and writing a 1 page paper about it.  This can help with a low quiz score.
• YOU HAVE A TOTAL OF 450 POINTS FOR THIS COURSE.

Here are some additional links that you might find helpful to aid you in research and writing!  FOR THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION GO TO THE LINKS BELOW:

AMARILLOCOLLEGE LIBRARY:  http://www.actx.edu/library/

• For help with your computer, or to use computers go to the second floor of the library.
• For information on how to do a research paper and search for references go to:
  • http://www.actx.edu/library/index.php?module=article&id=8#Research
• FIND OUT MORE ABOUT PLAGIARISM AND HOW TO AVOID IT: GO TO:

·             http://www.actx.edu/english/index.php?module=article&id=14

FOR HELP WITH YOUR PAPERS: GO TO WRITERS' CORNER

o        Missionand Services: The Writers’ Corner staff firmly believe that good writing is an essential skill for being successful in college. Our main goal, therefore, is to help students become more confident and effective writers. Whether drafting research papers, preparing marketing proposals, or working on writing projects for any class at Amarillo College, students will benefit from one-on-one tutoring sessions with knowledgeable and encouraging tutors.  Our tutors review assignment requirements, provide constructive feedback, and guide students through all phases of the writing process. The Writers’ Corner is open to all students, regardless of academic discipline and skill level.

·             We Offer:*One-on-one tutoring sessions with trained tutors,  small workshops throughout the semester covering various aspects of academic writing,  in-class presenations on the role of the Writers' Corner, a waiting area for walk-ins and early arrivals, coffee and donuts for students with appointments, EMAIL US AT: writerscorner@actx.edu

·             OR stop by: LOCATION:  Ordway Hall, Room 102

·             Hours of Operation:

o            Fall & Spring Semesters:Monday - Thursday  8:00 am to 4:00 pm and ClosedFriday, Saturday, and Sunday

o            Summer Sessions:  Monday - Thursday 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and Closed Friday, Saturday, and Sunday