8/8/2019 African American Syllabus

1/2

African-American HistoryLawrence Free State High School

Room 250Course Outline

Instructor Bobby NicholsEmail: rnichols@usd497.org Phone: (785) 832-6050 ext. 4946

The following information is for your benefit. This will give you a good idea what to expect out of this class. Keepthis sheet for future reference.

Course OverviewAfrican American History is divided into two parts. The first half provides an overview of the African experience inancient Africa, South America and Europe. Particular emphasis is accorded to the ancient African empires,triangular trade and slave revolts in South America and the Caribbean. The second part of the course will be devotedto examining the African Americans' experience in the U.S. from colonial times to the present. This examinationwill include a study of slavery and the contributions of African Americans. It will also include a study of the major trends and movements in the struggle of African Americans from colonial times to the present. This examinationwill not be purely historical but will delve also into the social, cultural, psychological and economic consequences of that experience. Overall, the second half is oriented toward defining the status of the African American in our

present society.

TextsHine, Darlene Clark., William C. Hine, and Stanley Harrold. African-American History . Upper Saddle River,

NJ: Prentice Hall, 2006. Print.

Teacher Resources1) The New York Times/Washington Post/Wall Street Journal/Other Newspapers2) The Economist3) The Week 4) Mr. Nichols: Website for student use and study

http://freestatepolity.blogspot.com/

Course ObjectivesThe student shall:1. Demonstrate an understanding of the major themes and essential questions of American Government.2. Understand the nature and value of history and literature in Government.3. Demonstrate the process of collecting and interpreting historical evidence and developing well-reasoned

arguments to sustain viewpoints.4. Comprehend and achieve the necessary characteristics to work effectively both independently and in a group.

Course MaterialsPlease bring to class on a daily basis the following:

1. Your books.2. A notebook.3. Your organizer which should include a downloaded class schedule from the class website.4. Something to write with. Written assignments should be done in black or blue ink while tests are done in

pencil.

Organization Quiz and test dates and assignment due dates will be noted at the beginning of each unit. Students are responsible for keeping up with reading assignments and being aware of, and ready for, quizzes and tests. Class will be acombination of lecture, group work, coverage of assigned readings, and answering student questions. Periodically,student essays, reports, or presentations will be required. All essays will be scored according to the 5-point rubricthat will be given to students later.

8/8/2019 African American Syllabus

2/2

GradingGraded material shall include written assignments, essays, projects, quizzes, tests, participation points, a research

paper and a comprehensive final. It is not the job of the instructor to make you aware of what you have missed or failed to turn in. This is your responsibility! As this is a college course, unless unusual circumstances arise, no latework shall be accepted.

EXAM = 80%PARTICIPATION = 20%

ExamsThere will be nine exams given during the semester each following the appropriate Unit and a semester final.Exams are a combination of objective (i.e. multiple choice) and essay questions and will be given over the course of two days (multiple choice first, then essay.)

QuizzesThe quizzes will mostly take on a matching format. Please be aware that impromptu quizzes are a possibility,

particularly if the reading and discussion level of the class is less than desirable. However, most quizzes will take place after assigned readings or completed chapters.

ConnectionsThroughout each unit you must keep track of connections you make between things you hear about outside of classthat are connected to things we are studying in class. Every time you hear something that reminds you of an issue,event, or idea that we have studied in class, write it down or clip it out (your list can include pictures, cartoons,articles from magazines, etc.). You must be explicit in your connections. On each assigned date (see front bulletin

board for sign-up dates) you must turn in 5 incredibly well-explained or 10 clearly explained connections. Details of this component are given out in class.

Study TechniquesThe reading load is considerable. The amount of time required for homework for this class will vary with your reading speed. Assignments vary in length. It is imperative that you plan ahead for long assignments, supplementalreading, take-home essays, etc. Time management is an essential skill for this class, and you must take theresponsibility for budgeting your time. At the beginning of each unit, the instructor will establish due dates for allassignments for that unit. The instructor will also attempt to keep an updated calendar on the class page on theschools website. As you become accustomed to the course format and texts, things will fall into place and becomeeasier; it is important not to get discouraged.

Comprehensive Final ExamAll students will be required to take a comprehensive final examination at the end of each semester.

Cheating Although collaboration of effort is encouraged in this class, the instructor expects each student to produce their ownindividual work. Any students caught cheating or plagiarizing the works of others will receive a zero for theassignment in question and can face further disciplinary actions.

Classroom RulesThe rules and policies of Lawrence Free State High School will be enforced. Please be respectful to others anddifferent ideas. There are a few specific rules you need to be aware of:

1. You are not allowed to leave the classroom unless an emergency arises.2. You are allowed one free tardy. On the second tardy, a 30 minute detention will apply and can be made-up

the following morning at 6:30 or 7:15.

Content Area/Objectives Percentage of Class Time

1. Early Days and Slavery 1400s - 1865 25 %2. Building Democracy 1866 1953 20 %3. Civil Rights Era 1954 1971 30 %4. Today 1970s 2011 25 %