San Diego Community College District Page 1

Course Syllabus

BLAS 116 (88886)

CONTEMP SOC PROB/BLACK PERSPECTIVE
2011 - SPRING

INSTRUCTOR: DARIUS SPEARMAN

TELEPHONE: (619) 388-3187
E-MAIL VIA WEBCT

OFFICE HOURS: MON & WED 9:30-11:00AM;

TUE & THUR 11:05AM-12:35PM
AND BY APPOINTMENT,
ROOM A-1(E)

CLASS MEETS: MW, 11:10AM–12:30PM

FROM 1/24/2011 TO 5/21/2011;
ROOM A215

ADVICE: English 51 and passing score on English 51 exit exam

THIS SYLLABUS IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
Students will be notified of syllabus changes during a regularly scheduled class. It will be the students’
responsibility to ensure they possess the latest version of the class syllabus.

NOTE: Controversial subjects may be the topic of discussion or readings.

WHAT’S INSIDE:
REQUIRED TEXTS ........................................................................................................................................... 2
COURSE DESCRIPTION & STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES .......................................................................... 2
COURSE REQUIREMENTS ................................................................................................................................ 2
ATTENDANCE AND GRADING ......................................................................................................................... 4
HONEST ACADEMIC CONDUCT ...................................................................................................................... 6
DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES (DSS) STATEMENT ..................................................................................... 6
COURSE SCHEDULE ........................................................................................................................................ 7
 San Diego Community College District Page 2
Course Syllabus

REQUIRED TEXTS
1. Dyson, Michael Eric, Know What I Mean? Reflections on Hip Hop, Perseus Books
Group (2007); ISBN 0465017169
2. hooks, bell, We Real Cool: Black Men and Masculinity, Routledge (2003), ISBN-10:
0415969271
3. Marable, Manning, et. al., Racializing Justice Disenfranchising Lives: The Racism,
Criminal Justice, and Law Reader, Palgrave Macmillan (2007); ISBN 1403977674
4. Smiley, Tavis, ed., Accountable: Making America As Good As It's Promise, Atria Books:
ISBN - 1-4391-0002-0

COURSE DESCRIPTION & STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

A sociological analysis of institutional variation and the process of social change, and how it
affects the Black American emphasizing contemporary urban situations. The course examines the
relations between various racial, cultural, ethnic, and minority groups as well as those group
variations in life style which cannot be accounted for by social condition.

Upon successful completion of the course the student will have gained experience in:

1. Demonstrate understanding, both orally and in writing, the concepts, institutions, and
processes involved in socialization and social change within the context of the African-
American experience.
2. Critically analyze current social problems, patterns of conflict, and social institutions
within the context of the African-American experience.
3. Critically analyze the underlying causes of such social problems as racism and sexism
and class conflict.
4. Critically analyze current social policies, both on the local and national levels, that aimed
at addressing current social problems that most effect African-Americans.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS
This is a web enhanced course. We have created an online companion to this course that will
allow you to communicate with your online community and access useful tools. After the
first week of class you will be automatically enrolled in the Blackboard community. To log
on:

Login URL: http://online.sdccd.edu

Username: CSID number
Password = 8 digit birthdate: (mmddyyyy)

4 Response Papers (50 points each)

Write a 500-700 word typed paper on a prompt to be determined in class. To adequately
address each question, we would suggest a minimum of 3 main points explored in a fair
amount of detail. The assigned readings should be sufficient to adequately address the topic,
and should be the only materials referenced in your essays. DO NOT CITE FROM
OUTSIDE SOURCES.
 San Diego Community College District Page 3
Course Syllabus

Key points must be supported and cited with evidence from the required readings. You
MUST cite from at least two sources per paper – i.e. (Author, p. 10). Allow the material to
speak to you and for you. Doing so should also permit you to be creative in how you piece
the material together. Be SPECIFIC in your answer. Eliminate the following words from
your vocabulary: “this,” “these,” “that,” “they,” “its.”
Please see the Response Paper Grading Rubric for specific details on how you will be
assessed for this assignment.
Oral Presentation – OR – Research Paper (50 points)
Write a 5-7 page research paper on the topic of your choice. Your paper should include no
less than four print sources such as books or scholarly journals – no more than two of those
sources may be from texts used in the classroom.
Your oral presentation will be 5-7 minutes in length, and the topic will interweave a
particular theme or question relevant to the class with your own outside research. I place
special emphasis on the term “research.” Your presentation should include no less than four
print sources such as books or scholarly journals – no more than two of those sources may be
from texts used in the classroom. Please discuss and clear your topic with me by 3/2/2011.
You should be creative and use at least one visual aid (such as overheads, charts, handouts),
you may also use demonstrations and other techniques to inform and interest the class. Please
let me know if you need University audio visual equipment, well in advance of your
presentation.
Please see Oral Presentation Grading Rubric for specific details on how you will be assessed
for this assignment. Additionally, class participation will be based in part on your feedback
given to fellow classmates.

Honors Option (150 Points) *

In ADDITION to the Oral Presentation (see above), write a 7-10 page research paper on the
topic of your choice. Your paper should include no less than four print sources such as books
or scholarly journals – no more than two of those sources may be from texts used in the
classroom. Please discuss and clear your topic with me by 3/2/2011.

Weekly Reading Journal (100 points)

To prepare you for class discussion, each week you will be expected to come to class with
your own “Talking Points” on the reading. 5-7 sentences should be adequate. Your thoughts
and questions should demonstrate some degree of reflection on the material and should be
intended to stimulate discussion, such as, “The author makes an interesting point on page …”
NOT “In what year did the Reconstruction end?” Be sure to cite a page reference with each
point.
Your “Talking Points” or journal will be turned on the due date for that week’s reading
assignments. Journals MUST be typed. Handwritten journals will not be accepted.

*
Please contact the Honors Department for details in room A1-N (619) 388-3512, or http://www.sdcity.edu/honors/.
 San Diego Community College District Page 4
Course Syllabus

Class Discussion/Participation (50 Points)

Much time will be spent in class for active discussion of the reading. Your attendance and
participation in the discussion section, your ability to answer questions, and to initiate
dialogue based on the required readings, will be graded. Each student is expected to have
read the assignments and have given them careful thought. In class discussion will be based
in part on a random check of preparedness. When asked “What should we be talking about
today?” Your response should be along the lines of “The author makes an interesting
statement on page …” NOT “Chapter 4.” Additionally, group work will be factored into your
class discussion grade.

Computer Skills Advisory

Enter level of computer skills expected or types of assignments requiring computer skills. (In
most college courses students are expected to have a basic familiarity with computer terms
and use: word processing, document manipulation, spreadsheets, email, and online services.
These skills can be learned at any of the colleges or Continuing Education.)

ATTENDANCE AND GRADING

Attendance Requirements
Active participation in the class requires that you be present. Students are expected to attend
every class meeting, arrive on time, and stay throughout the class period. Class will be in
session and the classroom door will be closed within ten (10) minutes of the scheduled start
time. You may not enter the classroom once class is in session and anyone not seated at that
time will be considered absent. Students may be dropped after four (4) unexcused absences
OR after having missed four (4) assignments. Unexcused absences are at my discretion, so
please keep me informed of any issues as they arise and allow me to help you work through
them.
It is the student’s responsibility to drop all classes in which (s)he is no longer attending (for o
n campus classes).
• Deadline to drop classes with no “W” recorded is 2/4/2011.
• Withdrawal deadline is 4/1/2011. No drops may be accepted after this date.
Students who remain enrolled in a class beyond the published withdrawal
deadline, as stated in the class schedule, will receive an evaluative letter grade in
this class.
Grading will be on a point scale and will be assigned as follows:
REGULAR SCALE HONORS OPTION*
A = 400-360 Points A = 500-450 Points
B = 359-320 Points B = 449-400 Points
C = 319-280 Points C = 399-350 Points
D = 279-240 Points D = 349-300 Points
F < 240 Points F < 300 Points
 San Diego Community College District Page 5
Course Syllabus

Points for individual assignments will be broken down as follows:

• Response Papers: 200 points
• Oral Presentation/Research Paper: 50 points
• Weekly Reading Journals: 100 points
• In-Class Discussion/Participation: 50 points
• Optional Honors Paper: 100 *
Credit/No Credit
Beginning Fall 2009, the title “credit/no credit” will change to “pass/no pass” in accordan
ce with Title 5, section 55022.

All assignments are considered due at the BEGINNING of the class period of the due date:
LATE WORK WILL BE FORGIVEN ONCE (FOR ANY REASON) – AFTER THAT NO LATE WORK
WILL BE ACCEPTED**

*
Please contact the Honors Department for details in room A1-N (619) 388-3512, or http://www.sdcity.edu/honors/.
**
 San Diego Community College District Page 6
Course Syllabus

HONEST ACADEMIC CONDUCT

Students are expected to be honest and ethical at all times in their pursuit of academic goals.
Students who are found in violation of district Procedure 3100.3, Honest Academic Conduct,
will receive a zero (0) grade on the assignment in question with no opportunity to make up
the grade. Additionally students may be referred for disciplinary action in accordance with
Procedure 3100.2, Student Disciplinary Procedures. This policy applies to all work submitted
in class or online including, but not limited to, emails, discussion postings, assignments,
essays, and exams.

DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES (DSS) STATEMENT

Please meet with me to discuss any academic accommodations that may be necessary for
students with disabilities. An alternate from of this syllabus and other class handouts is
available upon request. Further accommodations can be made upon arrangement with myself
and the Department of Disability Support Programs and Services (DSPS), Room A-115 (619)
388-3513
 San Diego Community College District Page 7
Course Syllabus

COURSE SCHEDULE

UNIT 1: “NO JUSTICE … JUST US” (4 WEEKS)

WEEK DATE TOPIC ASSIGNMENT
Week 1 24-Jan Course Introduction
26-Jan The Covenant Smiley, Introduction
Week 2 31-Jan The Era of Mass Incarceration
2-Feb Marable, Ch 1-2; Dyson, Ch 1-2
Week 3 7-Feb Casualties of the Drug War
9-Feb Marable, Ch 3-4; Dyson, Ch 3
Week 4 14-Feb Race & Capital Punishment
16-Feb Marable, Ch 5-6; Smiley, Ch 3

UNIT 2: DECONSTRUCTING GENDER (5 WEEKS)

Week 5 21-Feb **Washington Day** hooks, Ch 1-2
23-Feb Deconstructing Patriarchal Notions of Power Response Paper 1 Due
Week 6 28-Feb Black Males and Masculinity
2-Mar hooks, Ch 3-4
Week 7 7-Mar Boyz II Men
9-Mar hooks, Ch 5-6
Week 8 14-Mar Rethinking Gender Roles
16-Mar hooks, Ch 6-7
Week 9 21-Mar The Effect Of The Prison-Industrial Complex On
23-Mar African American Women Marable, Ch 7-8; Dyson, Ch 4

UNIT 3: THE POLITICS OF RACE (4 WEEKS)

Week 10 28-Mar Racism, Law & Public Policy Marable, Ch 11-12
30-Mar Response Paper 2 Due
Week 11 4-Apr Voting Rights & Disenfranchisement Marable, Ch 15-16;
6-Apr Smiley Ch 6
Week 12 11-Apr Access to Wealth and Opportunity
13-Apr Smiley, Ch 4
Week 13 18-Apr
20-Apr **SPRING BREAK**
 San Diego Community College District Page 8
Course Syllabus

UNIT 4: CHALLENGING THE PRISON-INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX (4

WEEKS)
Week 14 25-Apr From Punishment To Rehabilitation:
Empowering African American Youth; Marable, Ch. 25-26
27-Apr
Group 1 Presentations Response Paper 3 Due
Crime Prevention In The African American
Week 15 2-May
Community
4-May Group 2 Presentations Marable, Ch. 27-28
Week 16 9-May Prepared To Govern Justly
11-May Group 3 Presentations Marable, Ch. 29-30
Doing the Work of Love hooks, Ch 9-10
Week 17 16-May
Group 4 Presentations Response Paper 4 Due