Racial and Ethnic Relations

Course Details

Course Number: 4133  Section Number: 101

Fall 2010

Location: Prothro-Yeager Hall

Classroom Number: 101

Days & Times:

T/TH 8-920

Course Attachments

Textbooks
MSU Faculty Member
Dr. Josh Packard   
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Course Objectives

Course Information:

This course will examine the social conditions of racial and ethnic groups in the U.S.  We will focus both on historical conditions and current situations as we examine the basis for thinking about race as a socially constructed category and determine why this category is so salient for our society.  In addition to dealing social-psychological issues of race (identity, construction, etc.), we will look at racial stratification in general and racism in particular.  Although much of the course will focus on the experience of racial and ethnic minorities, we will not neglect to examine the dominant racial structures in our society.

 

Class will be a time for discussion, lecture and activity.  Your participation will be expected.  Some of the discussions may be difficult or intense.  We will do our best in this class to be gracious and forgiving listeners as well as thoughtful commentators.  A big part of what we will do in this class will be to learn how to talk about race, something our society discourages.  We will develop this skill through practice.  Your participation in these conversations in both encouraged and expected.


Course Expectations

Course requirements:

  • Required Texts

 

Gallagher, Charles A. 2009. Rethinking the Color Line: Readings in Race and Ethnicity. 4th ed. Boston: McGraw Hill.


Grading Standards

Submission Format Policy


Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Late Paper Policy

Plagiarism Policy Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception. Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters. We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student. We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed. Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

Students with Disabilities The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, 397-4140.

Safe Zones Statement The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

Contacting your Instructor All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MWSU e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Attendance Requirements
  • Attendance

You are both teacher and student in this class.  Thus, your attendance is imperative.  Without being in class, you will not learn much, and you will not be able to teach us what you know.  So, you may have two (2) unexcused absences.  If, however, you miss more than two (2), your grade will be lowered one letter for each additional unexcused absence.  For example, if your grade in the class is an 88 with three (3) unexcused absences, your final grade will be a 78.  Excused absences do not count toward this total.


Other Policies

Methods of Evaluation:

Journals-30% (three checks @ 10% each)

Exam-15%

Book Review-15%

Columbus Day Teach-In-15%

IAT Project-15%

Class Participation-10%

Assignment and due dates are provided below.

 

Late work is not accepted

 

A Note about Assignments:

The primary assignment for the semester will be a journal.  You are to keep a weekly journal documenting your thoughts, experiences, and feelings with respect to the course material.  Sometimes you will have writing prompts, but other times you will be on your own.  What insights have you had during the past week?  What did you think of the readings?  Have you experienced something out of class that made you think about the course material?  These entries are a place to show that you are engaged with the course material and discussions.  The challenge here is to see whether you can go substantially beyond the lectures, discussions, and in-class activities to offer your own unique analyses and insights. 

 

Journal entries should be typed, at least one page long (single spaced, standard margins and font sizes), and be clearly demarcated with dates.  Also, do include page numbers.  Journals will be graded on relevance, critical thinking, and connections and analysis beyond what is covered in class.  You will be asked to turn in your journals three times during the semester.

 

Your exam will be in class.  It is intentionally scheduled early in the semester so we can make sure that we all have a basic understanding of the terms and concepts that will be used throughout the course.

 

You will complete three projects for this class.  First, you will review a prominent book in the sociology of race and ethnicity.  This review will contain both a written component and class presentation.  You will receive more specifics during the first week of class.  Second, you will work in groups to put together a presentation for our Columbus Day Teach-In.  This will involve both group research and a group presentation.  More details will be given during the semester.  Finally, you will have an assignment based on the race IAT which will involve both an out of class activity and a written paper.  Again, more details will be forthcoming.

 

I evaluate class participation in two ways.  50% of your grade will be determined by NOT being a distraction.  In other words, as long as you show up on time, don’t text, stay awake, etc., you’ll earn half of your grade in this area.  The other 50% is determined by the positive contributions you make to the class in terms of your participation, questions and comments during discussion. 

 

Class Policies:

 

Office Hours and Email Policy: I will hold office hours on the following days and times throughout the semester: M/W/F: 930-1100; 100-130 and T/TH 930-1100; 1230-100.  If you cannot make one of these times, please get in touch with me and we’ll work something out. 

 

My preferred method of electronic communication with students is via IM.  I’ll be available throughout the day.  My AIM screen-name is “Dr Josh Packard” (please note the lack of a “period” after Dr due to AOL’s bizarre screen-name policies).  If you have a question that needs a quick response, this will probably work best.  That being said, I respond to email every morning and (usually) every afternoon.

 

Classroom Behavior:It should go without saying that you will need to come to class having read the assignments AND be prepared to discuss them.  If you find that you are having difficulty talking in class or understanding the readings, please do come and see me so we can work on this together.  Of course, there should be no electronic communication during class (text, IM, email, twitter, etc.).

 

Please turn your phone OFF when you come into class.

 

Honor Code:Cheating will not be tolerated under any circumstances and will result in immediate disciplinary action.  “As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else to do so” (Midwestern State University Student Honor Creed).

 

Plagiarism:Don’t do it.  If you have concerns about how to cite a source and give proper credit, please see me or a librarian.

 

By enrolling in this course, the student expressly grants MSU a 'limited right' in all intellectual property created by the student for the purpose of this course.  The 'limited right' shall include but shall not be limited to the right to reproduce the student's work product in order to verify originality and authenticity, and educational purposes.

 

Accommodation of Disabilities: Individuals requiring special accommodations according to the Americans with Disabilities Act please present the instructor with a special Accommodation Request Form from the Office of Disability Support Services.


Writing Proficiency Requirement All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed English 1113 and English 1123 and 2) earned 60 hours. You may meet this requirement by passing either the Writing Proficiency Exam or English 2113. Please keep in mind that, once you've earned over 90 hours, you lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour course. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at http://academics.mwsu.edu/wpr, or call 397-4131.