San Diego Community College District Page 1

Course Syllabus

BLAS 115 (41431)

SOCIOLOGY/BLACK PERSPECTIVE
2010 - FALL

INSTRUCTOR: DARIUS SPEARMAN

TELEPHONE: (619) 388-3187
E-MAIL VIA WEBCT

OFFICE HOURS: MON & WED 9:30-11:00AM;

TUE & THUR 11:05AM-12:35PM
AND BY APPOINTMENT,
ROOM A-1(E)

CLASS MEETS: TTH, 12:45PM–2:10PM

FROM 8/23/2010 TO 12/18/2010;
ROOM A215

ADVICE: English 51 and passing score on English 51 exit exam

THIS SYLLABUS IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
Students will be notified of syllabus changes during a regularly scheduled class. It will be the students’
responsibility to ensure they possess the latest version of the class syllabus.

NOTE: Controversial subjects may be the topic of discussion or readings.

WHAT’S INSIDE:
REQUIRED TEXTS ............................................................................................................................................ 2
COURSE DESCRIPTION & STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES ........................................................................... 2
COURSE REQUIREMENTS ................................................................................................................................ 2
ATTENDANCE AND GRADING ......................................................................................................................... 4
HONEST ACADEMIC CONDUCT ....................................................................................................................... 6
DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES (DSS) STATEMENT ...................................................................................... 6
COURSE SCHEDULE ........................................................................................................................................ 8
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Course Syllabus

REQUIRED TEXTS
1. Bullard, Robert D. et. al., Race, Place, and Environmental Justice After Hurrican Katrina:
Struggles to Reclaim, Rebuild, and Revitalize New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, Westview
Press (2009); ISBN: 0813344247
2. Gallagher, Charles A., Rethinking the Color Line: Readings in Race and Ethnicity, 3rd ed.,
McGraw-Hill, 2009, ISBN: 0073404276
3. Smiley, Tavis, ed., The Covenant with Black America, 1st ed., Third World Press, 2006,
ISBN: 978-0883782774

COURSE DESCRIPTION & STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

This course is a study of African American society and culture. Emphasis is placed on analyzing
the origins, nature, structure and dynamics of African American life from a systemic perspective.

Upon successful completion of the course the student will have gained experience in:

1. Define and explain the field of Sociology from a Black perspective.

2. Apply the concepts set forth by Systemic Nationalist philosophers to explain the Black
experience from a Sociological perspective and to critique the Black Colony Theory and the
Cultural Philosophy of Paul Robeson.
3. Analyze the African American rhetorical tradition as it has been applied as a response to
United States imperialism and in support of the ideals of Black Nationalism and Pan-
Africanism.
4. Evaluate African American experiences with the social welfare system as well as African
American theological and cultural perspectives on issues such as healthcare, social work,
racism in workplaces, poverty and Black liberation.
5. Assess, compare and contrast the philosophies and ideologies of a variety of African
American writers and/or educators regarding the current state of African Studies and
education for African Americans.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS
This is a web enhanced course. We have created an online companion to this course that will
allow you to communicate with your online community and access useful tools. After the first
week of class you will be automatically enrolled in the Blackboard community. To log on:

Login URL: http://online.sdccd.edu

Username: CSID number
Password = 8 digit birthdate: (mmddyyyy)

4 Response Papers (50 points each)

Write a 500-700 word typed paper on a prompt to be determined in class. To adequately address
each question, we would suggest a minimum of 3 main points explored in a fair amount of
detail. The assigned readings should be sufficient to adequately address the topic, and should be
the only materials referenced in your essays. DO NOT CITE FROM OUTSIDE SOURCES.
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Course Syllabus

Key points must be supported and cited with evidence from the required readings. You MUST
cite from at least two sources per paper – i.e. (Author, p. 10). Allow the material to speak to you
and for you. Doing so should also permit you to be creative in how you piece the material
together. Be SPECIFIC in your answer. Eliminate the following words from your vocabulary:
“this,” “these,” “that,” “they,” “its.”
Please see the Response Paper Grading Rubric for specific details on how you will be assessed
for this assignment.
Oral Presentation – OR – Research Paper (50 points)
Write a 5-7 page research paper on the topic of your choice. Your paper should include no less
than four print sources such as books or scholarly journals – no more than two of those sources
may be from texts used in the classroom.
Your oral presentation will be 5-7 minutes in length, and the topic will interweave a particular
theme or question relevant to the class with your own outside research. I place special emphasis
on the term “research.” Your presentation should include no less than four print sources such as
books or scholarly journals – no more than two of those sources may be from texts used in the
classroom. Please discuss and clear your topic with me by 9/24/2010.
You should be creative and use at least one visual aid (such as overheads, charts, handouts), you
may also use demonstrations and other techniques to inform and interest the class. Please let me
know if you need University audio visual equipment, well in advance of your presentation.
Please see Oral Presentation Grading Rubric for specific details on how you will be assessed for
this assignment. Additionally, class participation will be based in part on your feedback given to
fellow classmates.

Honors Option (150 Points) *

In ADDITION to the Oral Presentation (see above), write a 7-10 page research paper on the
topic of your choice. Your paper should include no less than four print sources such as books or
scholarly journals – no more than two of those sources may be from texts used in the classroom.
Please discuss and clear your topic with me by 9/24/2010.

Weekly Reading Journal (100 points)

To prepare you for class discussion, each week you will be expected to come to class with your
own “Talking Points” on the reading. 5-7 sentences should be adequate. Your thoughts and
questions should demonstrate some degree of reflection on the material and should be intended
to stimulate discussion, such as, “The author makes an interesting point on page …” NOT “In
what year did the Reconstruction end?” Be sure to cite a page reference with each point.
Your “Talking Points” or journal will be turned on the due date for that week’s reading
assignments. Journals MUST be typed. Handwritten journals will not be accepted.

*
Please contact the Honors Department for details in room A1-N (619) 388-3512, or http://www.sdcity.edu/honors/.
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Course Syllabus

Class Discussion/Participation (50 Points)

Much time will be spent in class for active discussion of the reading. Your attendance and
participation in the discussion section, your ability to answer questions, and to initiate dialogue
based on the required readings, will be graded. Each student is expected to have read the
assignments and have given them careful thought. In class discussion will be based in part on a
random check of preparedness. When asked “What should we be talking about today?” Your
response should be along the lines of “The author makes an interesting statement on page …”
NOT “Chapter 4.” Additionally, group work will be factored into your class discussion grade.

Computer Skills Advisory

Enter level of computer skills expected or types of assignments requiring computer skills. (In
most college courses students are expected to have a basic familiarity with computer terms and
use: word processing, document manipulation, spreadsheets, email, and online services. These
skills can be learned at any of the colleges or Continuing Education.)

ATTENDANCE AND GRADING

Attendance Requirements
Active participation in the class requires that you be present. Students are expected to attend
every class meeting, arrive on time, and stay throughout the class period. Class will be in
session and the classroom door will be closed within ten (10) minutes of the scheduled start
time. You may not enter the classroom once class is in session and anyone not seated at that
time will be considered absent. Students may be dropped after four (4) unexcused absences OR
after having missed four (4) assignments. Unexcused absences are at my discretion, so please
keep me informed of any issues as they arise and allow me to help you work through them.
It is the student’s responsibility to drop all classes in which he/she is no longer attending (for on
campus classes).
• Deadline to drop classes with no “W” recorded is 9/3/2010.
• Withdrawal deadline is 10/29/2010. No drops may be accepted after this date.
Students who remain enrolled in a class beyond the published withdrawal deadline,
as stated in the class schedule, will receive an evaluative letter grade in this class.
Grading will be on a point scale and will be assigned as follows:
REGULAR SCALE HONORS OPTION*
A = 400-360 Points A = 500-450 Points
B = 359-320 Points B = 449-400 Points
C = 319-280 Points C = 399-350 Points
D = 279-240 Points D = 349-300 Points
F < 240 Points F < 300 Points
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Points for individual assignments will be broken down as follows:

• Response Papers: 200 points
• Oral Presentation/Research Paper: 50 points
• Weekly Reading Journals: 100 points
• In-Class Discussion/Participation: 50 points
• Optional Honors Paper: 100 *
Credit/No Credit
Beginning Fall 2009, the title “credit/no credit” will change to “pass/no pass” in accordance
with Title 5, section 55022.

All assignments are considered due at the BEGINNING of the class period of the due date:
LATE WORK WILL BE FORGIVEN ONCE (FOR ANY REASON) – AFTER THAT NO LATE WORK
WILL BE ACCEPTED **

*
Please contact the Honors Department for details in room A1-N (619) 388-3512, or http://www.sdcity.edu/honors/.
**
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Course Syllabus

HONEST ACADEMIC CONDUCT

Students are expected to be honest and ethical at all times in their pursuit of academic goals.
Students who are found in violation of district Procedure 3100.3, Honest Academic Conduct,
will receive a zero (0) grade on the assignment in question with no opportunity to make up the
grade. Additionally students may be referred for disciplinary action in accordance with
Procedure 3100.2, Student Disciplinary Procedures. This policy applies to all work submitted in
class or online including, but not limited to, emails, discussion postings, assignments, essays,
and exams.

DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES (DSS) STATEMENT

Please meet with me to discuss any academic accommodations that may be necessary for
students with disabilities. An alternate from of this syllabus and other class handouts is available
upon request. Further accommodations can be made upon arrangement with myself and the
Department of Disability Support Programs and Services (DSPS), Room A-115 (619) 388-3513
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Course Syllabus
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COURSE SCHEDULE

UNIT 1: THE SOCIAL CONSTRUCT OF RACE (3 WEEKS)

WEEK DATE TOPIC ASSIGNMENT
Week 1 Aug 24 Intro
Aug 26 How Our Skins Got Their Color Gallagher, CH 1
Week 2 Aug 31 Drawing the Color Line
Sep 2 Gallagher, CH 2
Week 3 Sep 7 Racial Formations
Sep 9 Gallagher, CH 3

UNIT 2: SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS & SOCIAL INEQUITY (4 WEEKS)

Week 4 Sep 14 Race and Place
Sep 16 Response Paper 1 Due
Bullard , CH 1; Smiley, pp.
vii-xiv
Week 5 Sep 21 Who Are the Other African Americans? Contemporary
African and Caribbean Immigrants in the United States
Sep 23 Gallagher, CH 41
Week 6 Sep 28 Connecting our Communities to Sources of Wealth
Sep 30 Bullard, CH 10; Smiley,
Covenant VIII &V
Week 7 Oct 5 Disparities in Policy, Process, and Prospects
Oct 7 Bullard, CH 11

UNIT 3: HEALTH AND EDUCATION (5 WEEKS)

Week 8 Oct 12 The Color of Health in the United States Gallagher, CH 7
Oct 14 Response Paper 2 Due
Week 9 Oct 19 A Plan of Action: Securing Health Care and Combating
Environmental Racism
Oct 21 Bullard,CH 5; Smiley,
Covenant I & IX
Week 10 Oct 26 Healthy Rebuilding In The Wake Of Hurricane Katrina
Oct 28 Bullard,CH 6
Week 11 Nov 2 The Ideology of Colorblindness
Nov 4 Gallagher, CH14
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Week 12 Nov 9 Education and the Digital Divide

Nov 11 Smiley, Covenant II & X

UNIT 4: NO JUSTICE … JUST US (4 WEEKS)

Week 13 Nov 16 No Equal Justice: The Color of Punishment
Nov 18 Response Paper 3 Due
Gallagher, CH 26
Week 14 Nov23-25 ** Thanksgiving Holiday**
Week 15 Nov 30 Black and Blue: Everyday Racism on the Police Force
Dec 2 Gallagher, CH 27
Week 16 Dec 7 ... and the Poor Get Prison
Dec 9 Gallagher, CH 28
Week 17 Dec 14 Combating Unequal Justice and Community Centered
Policing
Dec 16 Smiley, Covenant III & IV
Response Paper 4 Due