Tuesday & Thursday
11:00 am - 12:20 pm
1) To examine the processes that historically has perpetuated and continues to perpetuate the oppression of specific racial/ethnic groups.
2) Analyze the basis for racial/ethnic conflict.
3) Identify unique needs and issues of one’s own culture as well as others cultures and the contributions of each to the development of the United States.
4) Identify barriers to practice by becoming more aware of how racism and oppression affects social policies and institutions.
5) To examine one’s own prejudices, beliefs, life experiences and the effects of these on one's professional use of self.
EXAMS AND QUIZZES:There will be three (3) exams during the semester. You will be tested over the textbook, lectures, films/videos, guest speakers, and any class handouts. There will be no make-up exams UNLESS the student provides a written medical or other significant excuse. A student leaving the classroom for any reason during an exam will turn-in the exam as completed. On Scantron sheets, mark hard and erase well as there will be ABSOLUTELY NO CHANGES after the exams are scored!
There will be one paper assignment and presentation:
INDIVIDUAL ETHNICITY/CULTURE PAPER
“WHAT ARE YOUR ROOTS”
This assignment has been designed in an effort to raise self-awareness regarding your culture, ethnicity, and/or heritage. Our thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes are determined, in part, from these sources. All too often, we fail to examine exactly from where our views have come; even less often do we look for connections to our own culture, heritage, and/or ethnicity. This paper is expected to force you to examine your views, thoughts, and general being in relation to these sources of development as they pertain to those that are Adifferent@than you. Some of you may identify more strongly with a group based on characteristics other than race (e.g., religion, politics, geographic location). While you will be allowed to emphasize this aspect of your being, you MUST address your racial/ethnic development...explicating its impact or lack of impact on who you are at present.
The paper should be between 5-10 pages in length, typed APA Style. While it is not foreseen that a large number of references will be used, any should be appropriately cited and included in a reference at the end of the paper.
The following should be included in your paper: (a) identification of your personal cultural/ethnic group(s) or heritage, (b) an historical overview of that group and their immigration or migration experience in the United States (be sure to include past and present experiences that may be important), (c) current status of the group in the United States, (d) identification and explanation of the impact of these groups/heritage on shaping you and your ideas, thoughts, attitudes, and actions, (e) highlights of your own or others real life experiences that have shaped your development, especially, those different from yourself, and (f) be sure to address the degree of ethnocentrism characteristic and prejudices of you personally, as well as your major group of focus. Also include any information that you believe is important to meet the purpose of this paper.
Questions that must be addressed in your paper:
1. What generation in the United States do you represent? Are you and your brother and sisters the first members of your family to be born in this country?
2. How did your ancestors arrive in the United States? From where? For what reason(s)? Did you or your parents or grandparents or ancestors have any particular difficulties in adjusting?
3. What cultural groups are (were) most respected in your family? For what reason(s)?
4. What cultural groups are (were) least respected in your family? For what reason(s)?
5. What difficulties did members of your ethnic group have adjusting to mainstream? What was the difference for latter generations?
6. Does your immediate family or extended family practice ethnic or cultural customs that you are they value or identify with (for example: foods, celebrations traditions, social behaviors, manners, beliefs)?
A. What customs do you prize the most?
B. Do you or your relatives speak a language different from standard English? Are you bilingual? If not do you wish you were? Why or why not?
Is the traditional culture still intact or has it changed greatly?
7.What social conditions or conflicts have you or your kin experienced within the present U.S. culture? In the past?
8. What historical dates, beliefs, attitudes are were most important to your cultural group?
9. Are biracial, bi-ethnic, or bi-religious marriages common? How were such relationships perceived, encouraged, and or discouraged within your cultural group?
10. What occupations are represented in your family back ground? Has each generation expected its children to Ado better@? Is your present behavior in any way related to your ancestors=hopes and dreams? How are children names chosen in the family? Is there a cultural naming tradition?
11.What do you think a person of a another culture (pick one) would think of your culture?
12. What are the main problems in cross cultural issues with your cultural group? Discuss your own prejudices, your family=s and your cultural group=s prejudices. Discuss your own cross cultural experiences both negative and positive.
The paper should end with a summarization of what you learned from the assignment.
Questions to be answered:
What of importance did you learn about yourself?
About family?
About culture?
About others?
Your grade is based on: (a) the inclusion of the specified information POINTS WILL BE LOST IF YOU FAIL TO ANSWER ALL OF THE QUESTIONS FROM 1-12, (b) the overall quality of the paper (e.g., grammar, punctuation, spelling, etc.), and (c) how well the material is presented.
Wish to turn your paper in late?
You will lose one letter grade beginning the first day the paper is due and you do not turn it in class. After that you have two days where you be dropped an additional letter grade per day. On the third day no papers will be accepted.
Exam I 100 points A = 333-370 points
Exam II 100 points B = 295-332 points
Exam III 100 points C = 257-294 points
Paper 50 points D = 223-256 points
Presentation 20 points F = 0-222 points
370 points
This assignment has been designed in an effort to raise self-awareness regarding your culture, ethnicity, and/or heritage. Our thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes are determined, in part, from these sources. All too often, we fail to examine exactly from where our views have come; even less often do we look for connections to our own culture, heritage, and/or ethnicity. This paper is expected to force you to examine your views, thoughts, and general being in relation to these sources of development as they pertain to those that are A different@than you. Some of you may identify more strongly with a group based on characteristics other than race (e.g., religion, politics, geographic location). While you will be allowed to emphasize this aspect of your being, you MUST address your racial/ethnic development...explicating its impact or lack of impact on who you are at present.
Any assignment not completed will result in at least one (1) letter grade dropped.
Students are expected to attend all classes, complete assigned readings and participate in class discussions. Attendance is critical to the accomplishment of the learning objectives. When the professor starts speaking, the class members will become quite. Rude or inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. With the exception of an occasional tardiness, students are expected to be in class and on time. Students shall not arrive late on days when there are speakers
After five absences a student alert will be sent to the Dean of Students. The student will be either dropped from the class at that time or will lose 10 points per absence after missing five classes. TARDINESS OR LEAVING THE CLASS EARLY MAYBE COUNTED AS AN ABSENCE.
DISABILITIES:The instructor supports the Midwestern State University policy regarding students with disabilities provided the instructor is aware of the situation. Any student with a disability that interferes in their ability to participate in the provided classroom experience is requested to being the situation to the attention of the instructor and/or the Counseling Center. Confidentiality will be upheld.