Generic Course Syllabus Page 5
HUM 124
OAKTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
GENERIC COURSE SYLLABUS
I. Course Course Course Credits Lecture Lab
Prefix Number Name
HUM 124 African-American 3 3 0
Culture and the Arts
II. Prerequisites
None
III. Course (Catalog) Description
Course offers an interdisciplinary and comparative survey of the intellectual, artistic, historical, and cultural achievements of people of African descent in America. Content includes examination of literature, philosophy, visual art, music, film, and other performing arts.
IV. Learning Objectives
Students will be able to:
a. Demonstrate a basic understanding of the cultural/social history of the African American artistic and philosophical movements covered.
b. Identify and evaluate representative works of African American art (painting, music, literature, film, etc.)
c. Apply the critical vocabulary associated with the art forms presented.
d. Examine and analyze African American works (texts) within/without the works’ historical, social, and economic contexts.
e. Trace the interrelationships and continuity shared by African American artistic expression and cultural movements across time.
f. Articulate how particular socio-political milieus are linked to African American culture and art.
g. Demonstrate a knowledge of the cultural achievements of people of African American descent in America.
V. Academic Integrity and Student Conduct:
Students and employees at Oakton Community College are required to demonstrate academic integrity and follow Oakton’s Code of Academic Conduct. This code prohibits:
· cheating,
· plagiarism (turning in work not written by you, or lacking proper citation),
· falsification and fabrication (lying or distorting the truth),
· helping others to cheat,
· unauthorized changes on official documents,
· pretending to be someone else or having someone else pretend to be you,
· making or accepting bribes, special favors, or threats, and
· any other behavior that violates academic integrity.
There are serious consequences to violations of the academic integrity policy. Oakton’s policies and procedures provide students a fair hearing if a complaint is made against you. If you are found to have violated the policy, the minimum penalty is failure on the assignment and, a disciplinary record will be established and kept on file in the office of the Vice President for Student Affairs for a period of 3 years.
Please review the Code of Academic Conduct and the Code of Student Conduct, both located online at www.oakton.edu/studentlife/student-handbook.pdf.
VI. Outline of Topics
This is a sample outline of possible topics. Instructors may choose to approach this class chronologically or topically.
A. Historical Overview
a. African/African American Diaspora
b. Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade
c. The Great Migration
d. Civil Rights Movement
e. Socio-political Movements
f. Cultural Movements
B. Religion and Philosophy
a. Significance of folklore
b. Intertwining of religion and political philosophy
c. Historical development of the invisible church, black church, and other religious denominations.
C. Social Organization
a. The Slave Community
b. Economic foundations
c. Family
d. Role of women
e. Local communities
f. Role of the state
D. Art
a. Three-dimensional media
b. Painting
c. Sculpture
E. Literature
a. Oral traditions
b. Slave Narratives
c. Poetry
d. Drama
e. Novel
f. Autobiographies
g. Literary Criticism
h. Speeches/Essays
F. Music
a. Cultural significance of music
b. Historical significance of music
c. Political significance of music
d. Performance
G. Contemporary Culture
a. Tradition and Modernity
b. Art, music, and literature
c. Film
d. Cultural identity
VII. Instructional Materials
Note: Current textbook information for each course and section is available on Oakton’s Schedule of Classes.
Texts such as the following will be used.
Primetime Blues: African Americans on Network Television by Donald Bogle
Am I Black Enough for You? by Todd Boyd
Norton Anthology of African American Literature edited by Henry Louis Gates Jr. et al.
Black Feminist Thought: Knowledge, Consciousness, and the Politics of Empowerment
by Patricia Hill Collins
killing rage: Ending Racism by bell hooks
Yo Mama’s Dysfunktional by Robin Kelley
Race Matters by Cornel West
The Hip Hop Reader by Tim Strode & Tim Wood
VIII. Methods of Instruction
Course may be taught as a face-to-face, hybrid or online course.
a. Lectures and discussion
b. Small group work
c. Films
d. Oral recordings
e. Field trips to places such as the Art Institute and the DuSable Museum
f. Guest speakers
IX. Course Practices Required
A. Students will take six quizzes, a midterm exam, and a final exam in order to demonstrate their understanding of the cultures studied.
B. Students will complete 6 one page response papers that will present a brief analysis of the reading/text scheduled during the semester. Student will demonstrate their understanding of the cultural, political, and/or historical milieus in juxtaposition of their chosen subject.
C. Students will write two papers at least five pages in length in order to demonstrate their ability to analyze a work of literature, art, music, or film. The papers must show an understanding of the overall context within which this work of art was created.
D. Students will visit at least one exhibit at a museums and attend at least one musical/dramatic performance. They will record their observations in brief two-page papers in order to develop their respect and appreciation for the cultures which they are studying.
E. Students will participate in class discussion and small group discussion in order to develop both their critical thinking abilities and their appreciation for the diversity of African American cultures.
X. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
a. The midterm and final exams count for 30% of the final grade.
b. The quizzes and response papers will count for a combined 20%.
c. Each paper 5-page paper counts for 30% of the final grade. The instructor will look for accuracy in the presentation of the material and for arguments that support a thesis.
d. Each observation papers count for 10% of the final grade.
e. Participation will count for 10% of the final grade.
XI. Other Course Information
Disabilities
If you have a documented learning, psychological, or physical disability, you may be entitled to reasonable academic accommodations or services. To request accommodation or services contact the Access and Disability Resource Center at the Des Plaines or Skokie campus. All students are expected to fulfill essential course requirements. The College will not waive any essential skill or requirement of a course or degree program.
Oakton Community College is committed to maintaining a campus environment emphasizing the dignity and worth of all members of the community, and complies with all federal and state Title IX requirements.
Resources and support for
· pregnancy-related and parenting accommodations; and
· victims of sexual misconduct can be found at www.oakton.edu/title9.
Resources and support for LGBTQ+ students can be found at www.oakton.edu/lgbtq.
Discrimination
The Oakton Community College Catalog states:
Oakton Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, or marital status in admission to and participation in its educational programs, activities and services, or employment practices. The College does not tolerate sexual harassment or sexual assault by or of its students or employees.
In keeping with this policy of tolerance and non-discrimination, in this class all of us (myself included) should strive to listen and give careful consideration to all ideas expressed in class, especially those that are different from our own, without attacking or demeaning the people who have those views. We should also strive to avoid using insulting terms or telling offensive jokes when talking to or about individuals or groups.
Office Hours and Miscellaneous Information
Instructor Contact Information
Office Phone Number:
Email:
Fax Number:
Approval Dates:
(Faculty: Do not include the following information on your individual syllabi created for class distribution.)
Effective beginning term: Fall 2013 Ending term:
Syllabus prepared by: Will Crawford Date: October 2010
Reviewed by Dept./Program Chair: Graff/Lee Date: October 2010
Approval by Dean: Linda Korbel Date: June 2013
Generic syllabus format revised 09/16
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