African American History Syllabus Submitted by qi» CT ear Course Catalogue Description Explore the history of African Americans from the tragic days of slavery, to the present. This course will focus on four eras of African American History. Slavery to Civil War Reconstruction to Jim Crow segregation The twentieth Century fight for civil rights 1. The position and treatment of African Americans in modern America, For each era we will explore authors and films with conflicting points of view. A partial selection of authors will include: Malcolm x, Frederick Douglas, Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. DuBois, Howard Zinn, ‘and Martin Luther King. A partial list of films includes: Amistad, 12 Years a Slave, Glory, Ethnic Notions, Do the right Thing, Boyz in the Hood, plus some great documentaries. Students will be exposed to readings and films that have distinct points of view. One skill we will work on is recognizing and evaluating point of view. Some of the readings will contradict each other, and students have to wrestle with differentiating and deciding which POV is most valid. I'll use a seminar approach for most readings and films. Assessment will be through seminars, short position, papers, debates, plus there will be a midterm and final exam. For most readings, students will complete a study guide to help identify important features. Each assignment will have an assigned point value. Expect lively discussion and active learning. Open to Seaholm and Groves students 10-12" grades. One trimester Social Studies elective credit Unit 1 - Slavery to Civil War Sample of Topics and Authors Included in the Course pack Caravans of Gold (a film about African civilization before slavery) by Basil Davidson Origins of English Racism ~ Winthrop Jordan. Lecture on the development of the Virginia Slave Code “Behind the Cotton Curtain” ~ from Before the Mayflower by Lerone Bennett Jr. “Slavery Without Submission” by Howard Zinn —from A People’s History of the United States “A Benign Institution”, a defense of slavery by a Southern Historian, Ulrich Phillips: “Let them stand in fear”, an essay by Kenneth StampPolice brutality against African Americans today ‘The success and failings of affirmative action ‘White flight and the decline of urban centers. ‘The links between poverty, educational achievement and racism ‘The 1967 Detroit riot ‘The ‘successes of the black middle class & possible class ga An evaluation of African American political leadership since 1970 De Jure v De Facto discrimination and racism ‘The resegregation of American schools ‘The rise of gangs and gang culture in urban America ‘©’ Cultural appropriation by mainstream culture of African ‘American culture: Final Project: Students will complete research era, and presenta final projec tothe class about the modern be reading and study guides for most Grading ~ Each assignment will have a point value. There will iments, two tests, and a longer research readings, some short papers, one or two short research assign assignment on the modern era. ‘The final will count 15%. As much as possible we will use a seminar Class participation will count 15%, tant that you complete readings before we approach. This allows everyone to participate. It’s impo discuss —else you will be lost during discussions. ‘Third Tet Seniors and Final Exam — To qualify for not taking the final exam students need 82% average, van 6 tardies or 8 absences, and no unexcused absences Rei aiid Allschoo! handbook policies are in place: e,no cell phones unless allowed by the instructor ar adults now, ready to go to college. You are expected to your work without having to be reminded, not more thi CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS: You ae ne know your responsibilit ‘ies and complete Students are responsible for all material presented in class tinether they are in attendance or not, The classroom may be locked after the start of class. ‘Tardy students must wait quietly inthe hall for admittance into the class. After three tardies, students willbe required to meet with me for detention and the students parents or guardians ‘will be contacted, After six tardies, the issue will be brought to the attention of administration, who will then decide what further actions will be taken. Excessive absences and/or tardiness will result in an attendance contract. Seven absences qualify students for an attendance contract. I tardy, you must sign in. Absences will not be changed to tardies at a later date ‘without signing in. [ATTENDANCE AND TARDIES: ‘TEST MAKE-UP POLICY: if you miss a test (one-day absences) you will take the test the next day, during class time, in the classroom. If you are absent more than one day and miss a test, you will have a set number of days to take the make-up test in the Testing Center before school.