Borough of Manhattan Community College
City University of New York
Foundations of Black Psychology
Psychology 271 / AFN 271
Fall 2011
Professor: Miriam Caceres-Dalmau, Ph.D.
E-mail address:
Office Room: N622
Office Hours: Sat. 5:00-6:00 p.m.
Telephone #: 212 220-1255
Format:
As this is an online class, students are expected to have regular internet access and be or become proficient in the use of Blackboard- for more information on how “to do” distance learning, visit: Welcome to Distance Learning at BMCC!
Course Description: This course is designed to explore the various forces influencing psychological processes of Americans of African descent. Emphasis will be placed on how the African Centered Perspective is defined, as well as how it operates in the context of the African American family with regard to identity development, education, mental health, research, and managing contemporary issues.
Prerequisites/Co-requisites: Psychology 100
Required Text: Parham, T., White, J., & Ajamu, A. Psychology of Blacks: Centering Our Perspectives in the African Consciousness, 4/E. Prentice Hall, 2010 / ISBN: 0131827731
The textbook can be purchased at the BMCC bookstore-if ordered online, try www.half.com or www.amazon.com - make sure to order it as soon as possible so reading process is not delayed)
· Online Readings (can be assessed through links on applicable week on coursemap)
Student Learning Outcomes:
The learning objectives of this course are to:
1. To facilitate awareness and an understanding of the psychology of Americans of African descent
2. To understand breadth, scope, and development of the field of Black Psychology.
3. To generate an awareness of and an interest in Afro-centric theories of development and pathology as well as methodologies emerging from thesetheories and philosophies.
4. To explore social context and promote an understanding of the role society plays in emotional growth and development of Americans ofAfrican descent.
Evaluation & Requirements of Students:
Students are expected to:
· Complete readings and writing assignments on time, in accordance with the classschedule.
· Contribute to an atmosphere conducive to learning:
-facilitate discussion process-either actively participating or being respectful to peers’ comments in postings; students are required to post at least twice a week-one of which is responding to readings with proper reference and the second is responding to a peer’s comment (more information on posting is in “course information section”)
-engage in critical thinking-ask questions or make comments in a manner conducive to learning
Grading will be based on 2 paper assignments, 2 quizzes, and postings on assigned weeks (total of 10 weeks).
Paper Assignments: 40% of final grade (50 points)
On dates listed on coursemap, you will hand in assigned work covering relevant material. Paper assignments can be assessed through “course information” tab on Blackboard’s main page. Each paper should be between 3 and 4 pages in length, double spaced, have one inch margins, be properly referenced, and typed in 12 point type. Papers should be analytical, assume a point-of-view, and integrate mention of each reading in the context of that essay; when applicable, inclusion of web-based research material should be incorporated into the essay. Each paper is worth 25 points. More information on assignments is provided in “assignment” section of course page.
Quizzes: 20% of final grade (30 points)
Each quiz consists of 3 short essays, worth 5 points each for a total of 15 each quiz. Quiz questions and due dates are noted on coursemap. Quizzes will be open-book but time is limited so study well before taking the quizzes. Quizzes will be available from the Blackboard (BB) site from 10:00 a.m. Fridays to 11:55 p.m. Saturday. You must take the quizzes during the day/time that it is available on-line unless you have a documented, approved excuse (illness, personal emergency, athletic event, work conflict, etc.) Please notify me immediately if you find you will not be able to take the quiz as scheduled. Notify me immediately by email if you have difficulty accessing the Blackboard web site or get locked out of the quiz before you have finished.
-in past classes, students who missed either quiz did not do well in the class so motivate yourself to submit the work!
Postings: 40% of final grade (50 points + 2 extra credit points earned for first week’s introductory posting). More information on posting is provided in “course information” section.
Students are encouraged to work on an extra credit assignment of a summary and critique of a documentary that will be available through ERES (link will be provided so you can access it from any computer). It is suggested you view the documentary as soon as it is available –an announcement will be posted informing of availability so that you have time to work on the assignment. I encourage everyone to see the documentary even if extra credit assignment will not be submitted for the issues addressed in this piece are tied into the many topics we will explore in this class. More information on assignment’s requirement is provided in course map (week 15 section).
Take advantage of this as there would be no other opportunities as extra credit means extra work and students who are having difficulty completing the required course work seldom have the time to complete additional course work. I suggest you plan and organize your time so that you are able to complete your assignments in a timely manner and study effectively during the semester so as to do as well as possible on your quizzes and exams. There are numerous resources available in the Learning Resource Center (Room: S500, telephone: 212 220-1376) to help you learn time management and study skills, improve your writing, and master the course content. Please contact me immediately if you are having difficulty in the course.
BMCC Absence Policy & Procedure: At BMCC, you are expected to attend all face to face classes. The maximum number of absences is limited to one more hour than the number of hours a class meets in one week. Since this is an online class, you are expected to log in at least twice a week (to submit pertinent work, read postings, access resources). Keep in mind that BB has an administrative function where I can view individual log-in statistics.
Academic Honesty: Student’s are expected to submit original work. Where resources and sources of information are used, credit must be given to the original source. For help when working on assignments, students are encouraged to consult with the Learning Resource tutors, the Writing Center tutors, other students in the class, and of course, ME!
BMCC Policy on Plagiarism and Academic Integrity Statement
Plagiarism is the presentation of someone else’s ideas, words or artistic, scientific, or technical work as one’s own creation. Using the idea or work of another is permissible only when the original author is identified. Paraphrasing and summarizing, as well as direct quotations, require citations to the original source. Plagiarism may be intentional or unintentional. Lack of dishonest intent does not necessarily absolve a student of responsibility for plagiarism.
Students who are unsure how and when to provide documentation are advised to consult with their instructors. The library has guides designed to help students to appropriately identify a cited work. The full policy can be found on BMCC’s website, www.bmcc.cuny.edu. For further information on integrity and behavior, please consult the college bulletin (also available online).
BMCC College Disability Statement:
In keeping with the college’s policy of equal access for students with disabilities, any student with a disability who needs academic accommodations is welcome to meet with me privately. All conversations will be kept confidential. Students requesting accommodations will also need to go to the offices of Services for Students with Disabilities, N768. The office will supply you, if appropriate, with an academic accommodation letter for you to show to professors.
Grading Scale (in accumulated points obtained in assignments and postings): postings-52 highest possible, paper assignmens-50 highest possible, and quizzes-30 highest possible points for a total of 132 (percentage calculated of 130 -2 additional points are considered extra credit-in other words, an A is 94% of total grade of 130, calculating to a 122). If you do the extra credit assignment, points will be added as additional points-over your accumulated paper, quiz, and posting points.
A = 122 or more total points
A- = 117-121
B+ = 113-116
B = 109-112
B- = 104-108
C+ = 100-103
C = 96-99
C- = 91-95
D+ = 87-90
D = 83-86
D- = 78-82
F = 77 or less
Please feel free to visit during office hours or by appointment anytime during the semester concerning your progress in class. I welcome the opportunity to assist you in your academic endeavors.
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