ES 102: Introduction to Ethnic Studies #21801
Winter Term 2006 – University of Oregon
Instructor:Michael S‡manoMail Box:Ethnic Studies Office
Class Hours/Days:2:00 – 3:20 TuThDirect Phone Line:(541) 463-5186
Class Location:129 McKenzieOffice Location:364 McKenzie
E-mail:Office Hours:TuTh 3:30 – 4:30
GTF:Melissa BairdOffice Location:268D Condon Hall
E-mail:Office Hours:TBA
GTF:Deana DarttOffice Location:350G McKenzie
E-mail:Office Hours:TBA
REQUIRED TEXTS:
There are no single textbooks that can provide you with all the information you need for any course. But the books below, which are required, will provide you with an excellent foundation from which to build:
Allan G. Johnson,PRIVILEGE, POWER, AND DIFFERENCE, 2nded., 2006.
Sue Monk Kid,THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES: A NOVEL, 2003.
Richard T. Schaefer,RACE AND ETHNICITY IN THE UNITED STATES, 3rded., 2005.
Purchase books in the University of Oregon bookstore, local used bookstores, or go to competitive prices. Warning: The first reading assignments are only one week away! Books ordered online might not reach you in time.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
ES 102 is the second in a two-course sequence. The first course was designed to introduce you to important concepts, theories, and analytical frameworks for understanding the ways in which race, gender, sexuality, and class, among other determinants, have influenced and shaped the histories and experiences of the various people who make up the United States. Using current developments in Ethnic Studies scholarship, this course will continue an examination of the nature and complexity of racial and ethnic diversity in U.S. society.ES 101 and 102 do not have to be taken in sequence.
LEARNING COMPONENTS: (The stuff students will be graded on):
This course will include readings, lecture, discussion, video, and interactive activities. For discussions to have the greatest meaning, students are asked to read material prior to class.Students are encouraged to become familiar with the reading material prior to class.
1.TERM PAPER: (100 points): One paper based on theKiddnovel will be due toward the end of the term. A handout will be provided that outlines the format and expectations for this assignment. There is a 5-point penalty per day for work turned in after it was due.
2.EXAMINATIONS: (200 points): Two examinations will be given during the term, a mid-term and a final. The examinations will not be cumulative, rather each exam will cover approximately one-half of the course material. Although the exams are not cumulative, be aware that certain concepts, theories, and themes will be repeated throughout the course.The two examinations are take-home, obviously open note/open book.This means that it is a studentÕs responsibility to keep current with all work and handouts associated with this class. Do not inquire about any work and handouts at the time of the mid-term and final exams. The examinations are worth 100 points each. Late work: There is a 5-point penalty per day for work turned in after the day and time it was due.
3.DISCUSSION SECTION PARTICIPATION: (100 points): In accordance with Oregon University System rules on contact hours per credit, students are required to attend a discussion section with one of the two GTFs. Attending discussion sections and lectures are equally important since the GTFs will be the one evaluating student attendance and participation.
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION (The things that get students in or out of trouble):
- ATTENDANCE:It is not realistic (in my opinion), to take roll in large lecture class settings. Having just stated that, there are some reasonable expectations that I have when regarding students as adult learners at a tier 1 research university:
OLD SCHOOL RULE #1:Be on time and remain for the entire class. If one has to leave earlyplease notify me beforeclass begins and sit near an exit.
OLD SCHOOL RULE #2:Do not take this class if we will have repeated conflicts with attendance and participation. In other words, students should not take this class if they have signed up for a class that overlaps with this one.
OLD SCHOOL RULE #3:If a student misses class and believes that they have avalid documentedreason, it is their responsibility to see me during my office hours. I work with students on a case-by-case basis to determine what should be done about missed work/deadlines. In some cases I allow for extensions, most of the time I do not. Please refer to the Extra Credit section of this syllabus for make-up points.
Students involved with college-sponsored activities:it is the responsibility of students to provide me with their schedule at the beginning of the term, or before the scheduled event.
2.GRADING:(Remember, facultyassignthe grade that studentsearn. Faculty do not ÒgiveÓ grades to students).Grades are based on a percentage of the total possible points:
Term Paper100 points
Two examinations200 points
Discussion Section Participation100 points
Total400 points
A+=Above 100% or 400+ pointsA=95% - 100% or 385 – 400 points
A-=90% - 94% or 370 – 384 pointsB+=85% - 89% or 355 – 369 points
B=80% - 84% or 340 – 354 pointsB-=75% - 79% or 325 – 339 points
C+=70% - 74% or 310 – 324 pointsC=65% - 69% or 295 – 309 points
C-=60% - 64% or 280 – 294 pointsD+=57% - 59% or 271 – 279 points
D=54% - 56% or 262 – 270 pointsD-=50% - 53% or 250 – 261 points
Students should be aware of their point total at all times. Students are encouraged to attend office hours from time to time to confirm their point total in the class. If a student determines that they are in need of additional points, there are a few extra credit options at their disposal.
- EXTRA CREDIT:There are various ways to receive extra credit for showing initiative outside of required classroom participation:
Office Hours:It is my opinion that office hours may be seen as a continuation of the learning experience. As such, it is important in this professional setting to feel comfortable interacting with faculty outside of the classroom to discuss topics such as, but not limited to: professional development (career goals/options/paths), questions about course materials, personal problems, etc. All office hours are confidential. Each sit-down visit in my office is worth one point. A maximum offive pointswill be allowed for this extra credit option. This extra credit option can be fulfilled at any time during the term, excluding finals week.
Critical Thinking Questions:At the end of every chapter in the Schaefer text, you will find a list of Critical Thinking Questions. Critical thinking papers are worth up to ten points each. Students may addressonequestion per any chapter covered in this course. A maximum oftwenty points(two papers) will be allowed for this extra credit option. The papers must conform to a strict format that your instructor can provide. These papers can be turned in any time during the term, excluding finals week.
Ethnic Studies in the News:If one starts paying attention, one will notice ethnic studies-related items outside of the classroom. For this extra credit assignment, students are asked to cut out or copy a newspaper article, and attach it to a typed, one paragraph brief that explains why they think this article is related to the field of ethnic studies. In the one paragraph brief, it is required that students will incorporate course material to support their opinions. These paragraphs are worth five points each. A maximum often points(two paragraphs) will be allowed for this extra credit option. These papers can be turned in any time during the term, excluding finals week.
Outside Events:These typed papers focus on community events, public speeches, theatre arts performances, movies, and so on that apply directly to the concepts, themes, and/or theories of this course.If a student chooses this extra credit option, they are required to receive approval from me before they participate in the event.
All papers are required to be no less than one-page (with one-inch margins), typed and single-spaced.Papers will include three parts:First, using specific examples, explain to me how the event is relevant to the concepts found in this ethnic studies course;Second, explain to me in exact detail what it was that was attended.Finally, I want students to explain what they learned from participating in this event. The focus should be on how the information that they were exposed may have changed their thinking on that particular topic.If nothing was learned, explain why they think this is.
Each paper is worth up to ten points. A maximum oftwenty points(two papers) will be allowed for this extra credit option. These papers can be turned in any time during the term, excluding finals week.
4.TECHNOLOGY: Turn down (or off) all electronic devices that would interfere with the classroom learning environment. Exceptions: Cell phones or pagers left on for emergencies, or technology that provides equal access for learning (eg. electronic dictionaries, hearing devices). Students unclear about this policy should check with me.
5.DOCUMENTED DISABILITY: Appropriate accommodations will be provided for students with documented disabilities. If you have a documented disability and require accommodation, you must meet with the course instructor within the first two weeks of the term. This documentation must come in writing from the Disability Services. Disabilities may include (but are not limited to) neurological impairment, orthopedic impairment, traumatic brain injury, visual impairment, chronic medical conditions, emotional/psychological disabilities, hearing impairment, and learning disabilities. Contact Disability Services: . Phone: (541)-346-1155 TTY: (541) 346-1083
6.ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT POLICY: University of Oregon Policy on Academic Dishonesty You are expected to maintain the highest level of academic honesty (as detailed in the Student Academic Integrity Policies and Guidelines) as well as be familiar with and adhere to the University of OregonÕs Student Code of Conduct. To obtain further information regarding Student Academic Integrity and the Student Code of Conduct, please contact the Office of Student Life (located in 164 Oregon Hall) by phone (541) 346-1140 or on the web Student Code of Conduct:
7.DIVERSITY STATEMENT: It is the policy of the University of Oregon to support and value cultural diversity. To do so requires that we:
¥Respect the dignity and essential worth of all individuals.
¥Promote a culture of respect throughout the university community.
¥Respect the privacy, property, and freedom of others.
¥Reject bigotry, discrimination, violence, or intimidation of any kind.
¥Practice personal and academic integrity and expect it from others.
¥Promote the diversity of opinions, ideas and backgrounds which is the lifeblood of the university.
If you believe you have been the victim of or a witness to a bias incident, harassment, or a hate crime, the University of Oregon encourages you to report it to the Bias Response Team. The team can help you document the incident and can provide support. Bias Response Team Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity
8.DISCRIMINATORY HARASSMENT: Conduct that unreasonably discriminates among individuals on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, marital status, disability, veteran status or sexual orientation and that is sufficiently severe or pervasive that it interferes with work or academic performance because it has created an intimidating, hostile, or degrading environment and would have such an effect on a reasonable person of the alleged victim's status. (OAR 571-003-0025(1)(d); University of Oregon Policy Statement on Affirmative Action & Equal Opportunity). Discriminatory harassment includes sexual and racial harassment. The standard for deciding whether or not discriminatory harassment occurred is based on the effect the behavior would have on a reasonable person of the status (including race and gender) of the individual complaining about the behavior.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
Please note that this schedule is tentative. You will be given advance notice of any changes.Class exercises, videos, handouts, guest speakers and so on, are not listed in this tentative schedule.
Week ofDateReading assignment/work to be turned in
Week 1Tue. 01/10Introduction to the course
Week 2Tue. 01/17Read Introduction (JOHNSON) text (vii-xii)
Read Ch. 1 (JOHNSON) text (1-11)
Week 3Tue. 01/24Read Ch. 2 (JOHNSON) text (12-40)
Read Ch. 1 (SCHAEFER) text (1-37)
Week 4Tue. 01/31Read Ch. 3 (JOHNSON) text (41-53)
Read Ch. 2 (SCHAEFER) text (40-78)
Week 5Tue. 02/07Read Ch. 4 (JOHNSON) text (54-67)
Read Ch. 3 (SCHAEFER) text (80-109)
Thu. 02/09Receive take-home mid-term exam
Week 6Tue. 02/14Read Ch. 5 (JOHNSON) text (68-75)
Read Ch. 4 (SCHAEFER) text (112-137)
Tue. 02/14Take-home mid-term exam due
Week 7Tue. 02/21ReadCh. 6 (JOHNSON) text (76-89)
Week 8Tue. 02/28Read Ch. 7 (JOHNSON) text (90-107)
Read Ch. 5 (SCHAEFER) text (141-178)
Week 9Tue. 03/07Read Ch. 8 (JOHNSON) text (108-124)
Read Ch. 6 (SCHAEFER) text (180-192)
Week 10Tue. 03/14Summary and conclusion
Tue. 03/14Read Ch. 9 (JOHNSON) text (125-153)
Thu. 03/16Kidd term paper due
Thu. 03/16Receive take-home final exam
Fri. 03/17All outstanding work due
Week 11 (Finals Week) Wed. 03/22 Final exam due in classroom between 1:00 – 3:00pm