COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Disclaimer:
Race talk is a very sensitive topic. You might notice that
people often lower their voice when they are talking about race, afraid that
someone might overhear them and think of them as being racist because they are
talking about race. A class like this is bound to bring up many uncomfortable
issues and I expect it to be painful at times, because it puts in question many
of the fundamental beliefs with which we have grown up, or because of the
personal or collective experiences we have made. This however, is also a great
opportunity that this class provides. To create an atmosphere in which everyone
feels free to raise questions, talk about their experiences, and express their
opinions, I demand from everyone a respectful attitude, even if the statements
made seem to challenge what you hold dear. Use the opportunity to let the rest
know how you feel about the situation. But please refrain from ridiculing or
attacking others, and from aggressive and disrespectful behavior. If such
situations should arise, I will issue a warning. A repeated disregard of this
code of behavior might lead to the dismissal from the class.
Attendance and Participation
It is critical that you attend classes regularly.
You can miss two classes without penalty, but in addition to these, no further
excuses will be granted (including medical excuses, sports related excuses,
etc.) Each additional absence will cost you one percent of your total score. If
you have more than 5 absences, you receive automatically an F in the class,
independent of your grades. As a class
based on discussion, the quality of the class depends on your participation. To
enable you to participate productively, it is necessary that you read the
assignments carefully before the class period in which they will be discussed.
I will evaluate participation on the basis of:
· Correctly answering factual questions
· Attempting to answer conceptual questions
· Challenging (respectfully) the opinions of
others in the class (including the instructor)
· providing critical insights
· Volunteering in tasks such as individual
or group presentations, debates, etc.
· Sincerity and self-reflection
Quizzes, Journal Entries, Blogs, and Other
Writing Assignments
Quizzes will be given regularly.
Journal entries covering the readings are due once
a week. Each journal entry must clearly state the title and author(s) of the
readings, and the date on which it is turned in. All journal entries must be
numbered sequentially. Failure to comply might result in journals not being
accepted. You can choose the day you turn in the journal. However, your journal
entry must cover the readings assigned for the day you turn in your journal. A
journal entry is a roughly 300 word essay summarizing or reflecting on the
readings that are assigned for a particular class period. The objective is for
you to engage with the readings. Once you read it and write about it, you will
be able to think about the issues more clearly. The format of this assignment
is open. Your essay can consist of a summary of the main points of the
article/s, which will be handy once you study for exams, it can consist of a
number of questions about the readings; it can be a critique of the readings, if
you feel that it is biased or misrepresents the facts, or it can be an essay
about thoughts the readings sparked in you. I will collect the journal entries
at the beginning of the class. Keep all your journal entries (word-processed
whenever possible) after they have been returned to you. These graded journal
entries will be collected at the end of the semester.
Blogs - I will make a lot of movies available for
you to watch on the Clarkson Cable Channel. Given your varied schedules, I
can’t expect you to be able to watch each one of them. However, I expect
you to watch three of these (or attend an event) and provide blogs for each of
the activity. The blogs will be viewable by your classmates. You will not get
graded on your blogs, but you have to have three to satisfy this part of the
course requirements. Information on how to do these blogs will be provided in
class.
In addition to the journal entries, there will be
a few writing assignments that count towards your participation.
Make sure to retain a copy (hard copy or digital)
of all the materials that you are producing for this class. This will allow you
to review your homework for the exams and the final paper. Also, in case
something gets lost, you will then be able to prove that you actually did the
work.
Group Presentations
Everyone will one in-class presentation as a team.
A presentation can consist of power point slide show or of leading a discussion
about some aspect of the assigned readings. Rather than mere summaries, the
presentations carefully and critically review and present one aspect of the
readings assigned for that day. I expect you to know the text and identify a
poignant element of the reading on which your presentation will elaborate. I
expect you to go beyond the assigned reading and find similar examples, or
apply the material from the readings to another relevant situation.
Presentations will take place in groups of 2-3 students. Each presentation
includes a one-page handout for fellow students, and a 5 page report to be
submitted to the instructor at the beginning of the presentation. The
presentations must not exceed 15 minutes. The presentations will be evaluated
as teams. Teams will be assigned.
Tardiness
If you are not in class at the time I am taking
roll, you will not get credit for your attendance that day. Please make every
effort to be on time.
Videos
Some videos or video clips will be shown in class.
The majority however will be shown outside of class. You will be able to watch
those videos through Clarkson TV if you are living on campus, or at any of some
specifically designated lounges. Details will be provided in class.
Deadlines
In order to assure fairness to all students, the
deadlines for the given assignments are binding. If not stated otherwise, the papers
have to be turned in at the beginning of the class period for the day that they
are due. Turning an assignment in late will lower your respective score by 10%
for each day it is late, unless accompanied by a valid excuse and verifying
documentation.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is on the increase. It is a serious
offense with far-reaching repercussions. Plagiarizing is defined as
appropriating or imitating the language, ideas and thoughts of another author
and representation of them as one's original work. To make sure that you don't
plagiarize unknowingly, familiarize yourself with the conventions of how to use
proper quotes and citations in a scholarly paper. Documentation will be made
available throughout the course.
Any student who has been found to be plagiarizing
or found to be abetting someone in the act of plagiarism will face disciplinary
proceedings. In mild cases it might result in an F in the class, in more
serious cases it can lead to the expulsion from the University. There will be
no warnings! In mild cases it might result in an F in the class, in more
serious cases it can lead to the expulsion from the University. There will be
no warnings.
Grading Criteria
|
Quizzes |
10% |
|
Attendance |
10% |
|
Class Participation |
10% |
|
Journal Entries (10 total) can be submitted as
blogs, in the “journal default” post |
10% |
|
Midterm |
20% |
|
Final |
20% |
|
Assignments I |
10% |
|
Group Presentation |
10% |
|
Blogs (three blogs on “extracurricular
activities” will give you a 5% extra credit) |
5% |
|
Total |
100% |
Grading Scale
|
91-100% = A |
|
86-90% = B+ |
|
80-85% = B |
|
76-79% = C+ |
|
71-75% = C |
|
65-70% = D+ |
|
61-64% = D |
|
0 - 60 = F |
Support
Writing Support: The
Accommodations for Disability
If you need any help because of a disability,
please let me know so that we can ensure that you get the assistance you need.