Course Syllabus

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African American History

HIS 203 | Fall 2015

Instructor

  • Professor:  Dr. Debra Greene
  • email: greened@lincolnu.edu
  • Office: 426 MLK
  • phone: 573-681-5202
  • office hours: 1:00-2:00 MWF; 8:00-9:00 TTH  
  • classrooms: 106 or 310 MLK    

Course Description

In this 16-week, 3 credit hour web-enhanced course, you will complete assignments and activities that will help you develop an introductory knowledge and understanding of the history of Americans of African descent’s cultural, political, and economic life in the United States; and their impact on the wider world.

The majority of your course content, lectures, discussions, etc, will be delivered in the classroom environment.  All of the course assessments – essays, quizzes, exams– will be delivered online in the Canvas learning management system.

Learning Objectives

The intent of this course is to help you:

  • understand the importance of Africans and African Americans to the development of the Americas, especially the United States. 
  • examine the ways in which American racism impacts its black population over time.
  • explore the efforts of Africans and Americans of African descent to build institutions and work toward full citizenship rights.
  • assess and explain the conduct and outcomes of African American life in the United States.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course you will have or be able to:

  • Introductory knowledge of African American History thru readings and lectures
  • Understanding of the black population’s struggles in the United States and how it impacts the American population in the current era
  • Recognize racism and prejudice in American society and have knowledge of its precedent foundations
  • Develop critical thinking skills through active involvement and participation in class discussion of required readings and lectures
  • Improve analytical writing skills by completing the required course writing assignments and exams

 Learning Resources

  • Canvas

Canvas is the Learning Management System that we will use for our courses. You can log into Canvas in the campus portal.  Log in with your LU user name and password, the same as for WedAdvisor or mylincolnu email). You will find a number of tutorials for Canvas under the Student Support and Help link.  

  • Technical Support

For any technical support with your computer related to accessing Canvas, please contact the IT Services Desk at 681-5888.  There is 24-hour help and "Live Chat" in the Canvas environment.

  • Software

All documents in this course are PDF files.  You will need Adobe Reader to view these files which you can obtain free at http://get.adobe.com/reader/

  • Textbooks and Reading Materials

Carson, Lapsansky-Werner, and Nash, The Struggle for Freedom: A History of African Americans, combined volume, second edition, New York: Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Prentice Hall, 2011[2007]

 

Boyd, Herb, editor, Autobiography of a People: Three Centuries of African American History Told by Those Who Lived It, New York: Anchor Books, 2001.

  • Videos: A number of films will be embedded in the Canvas pages for the course to supplement and extend your study of the subject beyond the classroom.  We will occasionally view sections in class but typically will not use class time to watch films.

Learning Activities

  • Chapter Quizzes – (200 points; 220 possible)

Each student is expected to have finished their chapter reading assignments before class in order to be able to contribute to the discussion.  Points made specifically about the material under consideration are considered “discussion” not random conversation.

Each chapter quiz is 10 points. You have the option of skipping two (2) quizzes and still complete 100% of the assignment.  The quizzes will be done in Canvas and you will have three (3) chances to get your best score.  The highest score will be recorded to the grade book. You have the option of completing all the chapter quizzes for bonus points

The chapter quizzes will close and will not be available after a certain time.  Please be mindful of the deadlines.  Chapter quizzes cannot be made up. 

  • Reading Essay – (20 points)  CONVERTED TO BONUS POINTS

 The grade for the reading essay has been converted to bonus points and show up in your grade book as such.  This means you will receive extra books for having completed the essay but not be penalized for not having completed it (except in the case where you need additional points but didn't earn any)

There will be 1 essay question covering the readings from Boyd’s Autobiography of a People, Part I. An essay scoring rubric will be used to score your work.  Please review the rubric to understand my expectations for completing the writing. Please deliver your writing assignment electronically into the Canvass drop box for the assignment before the due date.  The drop box will close at 12:00 a.m (in the morning) on the due date, therefore it must be posted by 11:59 p.m. (the night before) i.e. due date is September 14, assignment uploaded to drop by 11:59 p.m. September 13. No Late Postings will be Accepted.

  •  Class discussion – (30 points)

Parts from Boyd’s Autobiography of a People was covered in 3 class discussions.  Each discussion scored  a maximum of 10 points.  An important and integral part of the course is talking about what you have read with your classmates.  You are expected to contribute to the conversation and will be graded accordingly.  These are not attendance points – no conversation, no grade.  

  • Exams – (400 points)

You will be responsible for four (4) objective exams (100 points each) administered in Canvas. This includes the final exam. 

Class Policies

  • Attendance- There are no attendance points but students who missed 3 or fewer classes will be awarded 5 bonus points at the end of the course.  Excessive tardiness (3) and leaving class early without prior approval will count as an absence.  Students who are absent on University business should inform the professor prior to the absence and make arrangements to submit course assignments early.
  • Cell Phone and other Electronic Devices: Silence all cell phones and other electronic devices that can potentially create a distraction before lecture starts. Quietly leave the classroom before attempting to answer an incoming emergency call. If using an electronic device to take notes or record lecture, make sure the sounds are muted
  • Dress:  This is an academic environment please dress appropriately.  Personal hygiene shows self-respect, please be mindful.
  • Plagiarism:Any student found to have committed any acts of dishonesty, including but not limited to cheating, plagiarism, or other forms of academic dishonesty is subject to the disciplinary sanctions outlined in Article IV-B of the Student Handbook.
  • Communication:  Course-related communication should occur by way of personal contact with the instructor.  Alternatively, students may call and leave messages on the instructor’s voice mail or send the instructor an email; this, however, does not constitute personal contact.  

Access & Ability Services (AAS):  Students are hereby notified that this institution does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in admission or access to its programs and activities.  Questions that may arise in regard to the University's compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act should be directed to the Coordinator for Access & Ability Services, 304 Founders Hall, Lincoln University, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102-0029.

For more information, contact the Coordinator of Access & Ability Services at: 304 Founders Hall; 573-681-5162, email: aasstudent@lincolnu.edu.

Course Summary:

Date Details Due