CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO

College of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies

Fall 2016; ETHN 100 - Ethnic America

Section 1, Tahoe 1027; M-W-F 8:00 8:50 AM
Section 3, Brighton Hall 110; M-W-F 11:00 11:50 AM

COURSE SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Darryl Omar Freeman

OFFICE: Amador Hall 562C
OFFICE HOURS: M and W 9 -9:30 AM and by appointment
WEB PAGE: SacCT
EMAIL: SacCT course messaging (best method of contact)
OFFICE PHONE: (916) 278 - 6646
REQUIRED TEXT: Takaki, Ronald, (2008). A Different Mirror: A History
of Multicultural America. . New York: Little, Brown and
Co

CATALOG COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course meets the GE requirement for Area D, RE and writing

intensive

Through an interdisciplinary approach, introduces the four major

American ethnic groups, African American, American Indian, Latino
American and Asian American. Focuses on the themes common to all
four groups (racism, economic social and political oppression) and
demonstrates the varied contributions of each culture to American
social and economic life. Prerequisite: GWAR certification before Fall
09; or WPJ score of 80+; or 3-unit placement ENGL 109M/W; or 4iunit
placement in ENGL 109M/W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X; or WPJ
score 70/71 and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X

BASIC REQUIREMENTS

SACLINK Account http://www.saclink.csus.edu/saclink

Access to SacCT (Blackboard) https://sacct.csus.edu
Ability to use electronic communication tools (e.g., email
and discussion boards) in a professional manner

There will be no midterm or final exams in this course. Final grades will be determined
by the scores accumulated by responding to ten weekly online essays, a 4-5 page critical

DOF/100 1 3/29/17
writing mid-term essay and a final 8-10 page critical book analysis of one of the four
required reading texts

COURSE METHODOLOGY

Electronic lecture files may be provided to supplement the subject matter covered in the
text. Students are expected to progress through the course material and to
understand any deadlines for assignments that are posted on the course SacCT
environment.

COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES

This is a reading and writing intensive course, designed to continue the development of
your university level critical thinking and writing. Additionally;

1) Students will examine the relationship and influence of the media on how mixed
race individuals are identified and subsequently treated in this country

2) Students will demonstrate an increased understanding of how religion, public

policy and social institutions have shaped the experience of mixed race people in
the United States.

3) Students will develop an understanding of the concepts and issues of race, class,
ethnicity, gender, institutional racism, internalized racism, etc. as they relate to
mixed race people in the United States

4) Enhance critical thinking and writing skills needed to express your

comprehension of course material in a clear, intelligent, and coherent fashion

COURSE PARTICIPATION

This course is a designed to be a seminar styled classroom experience. This means that
students are expected to stay current with reading assignments and participate regularly in
class discussions about the readings. It is incumbent on the student to be an active
learner. The course activities are centralized in the SacCT environment. Announcements
will be made in SacCT about any changes, and it is the responsibility of the student to
keep up with and to know about any such changes. Check SacCT so that you can keep up
with any course changes. 5 grading points will be deducted for every unexcused absence
after two. (see grading scheme below)

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 COURSE DELIVERABLES

There are no mid terms or final exams in this course. The course grade is
determined by the accumulation of grade points from participation, weekly response
essays, midterm essay and final essay.

Weekly response essays (10 x 15 pts each = 150 Points)

In addition to the required text, articles from academic journals and
newspapers will be distributed or available on line. Each Wednesday a
prompt question will be given which will be used as a basis for the
critical essay assignment due online by Midnight Friday.

Critical Writing Mid-term Essay (50 Points) 4-5 page, doubled

spaced, proof read, spell checked, 12 point Times Roman font, in MLA
format will be due on a designated date during the semester IN CLASS.
The essay will demonstrate your critical thinking and writing skills by
responding to a broad prompt regarding issues of racial /ethnic identity
in the United States. Support evidence for the position(s) taken should
come from the texts readings, class videos, lectures and class
discussions.

Final Critical Book Analysis Paper (100 pts) An 8-10 page, double-
spaced, proof read, spell checked, 12 point Times Roman font, in MLA
format will be due the last week of the semester. Details on content
format will be distributed. For details on MLA requirements go to;
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/

Critical Thinking Book Analysis Paper

( Pick One)

Aldama, Arturo J. 2001. Disrupting Savagism. Durham, NC: Duke

University Press

Fujikane, Candace, 2008. Asian Settler Colonialism. Honolulu, HI:

University of Hawaii Press

Josephy Jr., Alvin M. Joane Nagel, and Troy Johnson. 1999. Red Power:
The American Indians Fight for Freedom.

Marable, Manning. 2000. Dispatches from the Ebony Tower:

Intellectuals Confront the African American Experience. New York:
Columbia University Press.

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 GRADING SCHEME

Attendance / Participation 100 points

Mid- term essay 50 points

Online Assignments (10 X 15 points each) 150 points

Critical Thinking Term paper 100 points

Total Possible 400 points

You earn a letter grade on the following point on the basis:

Lette Numbe
Note
r r
A 4.0 400 375 class points
A- 3.7 374 349 class points
B+ 3.3 348 323 class points
B 3.0 322 297 class points
B- 2.7 296 271 class points
C+ 2.3 270 245 class points
C 2.0 244 219 class points
C- 1.7 218 193 class points
D+ 1.3 192 167 class points
D 1.0 166 141 class points
D- 0.7 140 115 Lowest passing grade.
E 0.0 Academic failure no credit
earned

Students will be expected to complete all assignments prior to or on their due date.
Assignments submitted after the due date will receive a grade point deduction

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 CLASS POLICIES

THIS IS A SAFE PLACE of learning: By that I mean that this is a place where you can
relax and be fully expressive without being made to feel unwelcome or unsafe because of
biological sex, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, cultural
background, age, or physical or mental ability or personal opinion;
A place where the rules guard each person's self-respect and dignity and requires
everyone to respect others.

Class Distractions and Disruptions. Any student who creates a disturbance or otherwise
prohibits the class from proceeding smoothly will be ejected from class. Further penalties
will be imposed if the behavior continues. The University policy regarding this can be
accessed at;

http://www.csus.edu/umanual/student/ums16150.htm

Participation: This course covers racial, ethnic and cultural topics, some of which are
peculiar to the society of the United States. By being engaged in lecture/class discussions
you will contribute to the value of the learning experience.

Attendance: Mandatory. Being in class is vital to your learning and doing well in this
class. Attendance will be taken daily. Not only will information presented in the course
text be reviewed in class, but additional information shared exclusively during class
lecture should be reflected in your journal entries. Five points of your participation grade
in this class will be deducted for absences of more than two days in lieu of severe illness
or death in the family.

POLICY ON ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

Cheating and/or plagiarism: The penalties will adhere to University Policy, but at
minimum will result in a grade of F for an exam or assignment in question. The
university policy regarding this can be accessed at;

http://www.csus.edu/umanual/AcademicHonestyPolicyandProcedures.htm

Cell phones and laptops: Please remember to turn off your cell phones, laptop sounds
etc. Please use your laptops only for note taking and refrain from texting during class.
Any use of either of these items causing a distraction or disruption during class will result
in your being asked to leave the classroom. I reserve the authority to ban laptops entirely
if the use becomes a problem. The objective is to maintain a courteous and respectful
learning environment for you and your colleagues.

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 TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE

Below is the tentative schedule for the course. Verify all due dates through the
appropriate SacCT web page. This schedule may change during the semester. Update will
be posted through SacCT.

8/29 Mon Introduction; general discussion of course expectations, the syllabus,

basic terms and concepts in ethnic studies.

The Danger of a Single Story Why Study Ethnicities ?

http://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story.html

Ethnic make up of United States

https://www.google.com/search?
q=map+of+ethnic+groups+in+california+2013&biw=2133&bih
=1061&tbm=isch&imgil=W0TSHDdC1uRp_M%253A
%253BGvo23LwqnMwNwM%253Bhttps%25253A%25252F
%25252Fen.wikipedia.org%25252Fwiki
%25252FDemographics_of_California&source=iu&pf=m&fir=W0T
SHDdC1uRp_M%253A%252CGvo23LwqnMwNwM
%252C_&dpr=0.9&usg=__zrfVel6n2tN51tGWOZnYVelE8PE
%3D&ved=0CDUQyjc&ei=rtqQVeCtEI26ogSu8J7QBA#imgrc=sjE
QxKzMiHCHSM%3A&usg=__zrfVel6n2tN51tGWOZnYVelE8PE%3D

Mixed race make up of United States

http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/27/mixed-race-america/?
_php=true&_type=blogs&_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=1

8/31 Wed Discuss critical analysis and writing guides

NYT article on plagiarism

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/05/us/politics/senator-rand-paul-faces-new-
charges-of-plagiarism.html

Words Matter using words in critical writing;

Graduate Assistant Presentation

Work titles and gender discrimination

Colloquial use of words and behavior
Key and Peele Video

9/2 Fri 1st ONLINE ASSIGNMENT Due by midnight

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 Our Inner Judgment
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/03/jobs/an-appeal-to-our-inner-judge.html?
ref=business&_r=0

9/5 Mon Readings: Takaki Chapter1 (pages 3-20)

Racial formation

Video; The Difference between US - The Illusion of Race (58 minutes)

http://digital.films.com.proxy.lib.csus.edu/PortalViewVideo.aspx?xtid=49734

9/7 Wed Takaki discussion continued

Racial formation projects continued

Footnotes and In-Text citations in academic writing

Graduate Assistant Presentation

9/9 Fri 2nd ONLINE ASSIGNMENT DUE BY MIDNIGHT

The value of words and critical thinking

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/22/opinion/how-texas-teaches-
history.html?emc=edit_th_20151022&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=47364691&_r=0

9/12 Mon Readings: Takaki Chapter 3 (49-71) African Americans

Video: Africans in America

9/14 Wed Continued discussion on African American experience

Power Point on American Indians and African American enslavement

9/16 Fri 3rd ONLINE ASSIGNMENT DUE BY MIDNIGHT

Literature and Racism

https://psmag.com/the-answer-to-implicit-racism-might-be-in-
children-s-literature-afb9d04bcee4#.cbtuzrylm

9/19 Mon Readings: Takaki Chapter 5 (98-130) African Americans

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Racial profiling
http://www.upworthy.com/know-anyone-that-thinks-racial-profiling-is-exaggerated-
watch-this-and-tell-me-when-your-jaw-drops-2

Is racism over
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_hx30zOi9I

9/21Wed Discussion Chapter 5 continued

Racism not the cause of black failure

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ac_B-xiWWZU

9/23 Fri 4th ONELINE ASSIGNMENT DUE BY MIDNIGHT

NYT article - Traveling While Black

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/05/travel/traveling-while-black.html

9/26 Mon Readings: Takaki Chapter 2 (23-48) American Indians

Video: American Holocaust of American Indians

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTrbVf6SrCc

American Indian Boarding Schools

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfRHqWCz3Zw

9/28 Wed American Indian Experience in the United States

Sports castor Costas on the team name

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TV8yHgJpXqw

American Indian Sports Mascots

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVDyldTV9OA

Proud to be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mR-tbOxlhvE

Blackfeet Indians opinion on the Football team issue

http://wcww.greatfallstribune.com/story/news/local/2014/11/17/redskins-racial-slur-
blackfeet-weigh/19206641/

Colonial document origin of the term

DOF/100 8 3/29/17
http://www.esquire.com/news-politics/news/a29445/true-redskins-meaning/

Kids use music to combat mascots

http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2015/07/07/video-kids-use-music-
combat-indian-mascots-160986

9/30 Fri 5th ONLINE ASSIGNMENT DUE BY MIDNIGHT

Indian Country Journal Article Redskins

http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2013/11/12/heil-redskins-photo-
recalls-racism-nfl-teams-first-owner-152204

10/3 Mon Readings: Takaki Chapter 4 (76-97) American Indians

Peter Pan Movie subconsciously promotes racism

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7yE8TKUB_M

Hollwood promotes Indian stereotypes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hJFi7SRH7Q

10/5 Wed Continued Discussion Chapter 4 Indian Identity

Diversity in Hollywood
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/greater-diversity-good-hollywoods-
bottom-line/

Disney Lone Ranger

http://entertainment.time.com/2013/07/03/johnny-depp-as-tonto-is-
the-lone-ranger-racist/

Controversy over Tiger Lilly Movie

http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2014/03/13/casting-controversy-
rooney-mara-tiger-lily-peter-pan-prequel-153994

10/7 Fri NO ONLINE ASSIGNMENT; WORK ON MID-TERM

10/10 Mon MID-TERM ESSAY DUE INCLASS

Chapter 9 (214-231) Native American

Video: Native American languages taught in schools

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwcGNr5eUcs

How the Choctaw Saved the Irish

http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2011/03/17/how-choctaws-saved-irish-
23483

DOF/100 9 3/29/17
10/12 Wed Readings: Takaki Chapter 6 (131-154) Irish Americans

Choctaw and the Irish

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zf_1uoVemtI&feature=share

Irish acknowledge the Choctaw Assistance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcbYf673zIU

Famine to Freedom Irish in America

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jIVOgvZ6Ig

10/14 Fri 6th ONLINE ASSIGNMENT DUE BY MIDNIGHT

Supreme Court rules on flags

http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-supreme-court-american-flag-
20150330-story.html

Mexican Flag controversy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vi7SyO4cvC8

10/10 Mon Readings : Takaki Chapter 7 (155-176)

Mexican American Experience

What would you do Latino

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ru1F29vuVKI

Latino Discrimination on Route 66

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOoqu7SklsI

10/12 Wed Mexican Americans continued

Nazii flag controversy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLJqwLcTsXA

10/14 Fri 7th ONLINE ASSIGNMENT DUE BY MIDNIGHT

Supreme Court rules on flags

http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2015-03-30/american-flag-
student-speech-case-rejected-by-u-s-supreme-court

10/17 Mon Reading: Takaki Chapter 12 (292-310) Mexican American

Ethnic Stereotypes Speedy Gonzales

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 http://diversitygroup16.wordpress.com/2013/04/07/ethnic-stereotypes-a-look-at-
speedy-gonzales-and-the-frito-bandito/

Latino Representation in the Media

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2o8osmVGRQ

10/19 Wed Mexican Americans discussion continued

Film: The Lemon Grove Incident and the Oregon Story: Agricultural
Workers

10/21 Fri 7th ONLINE ASSIGNMENT DUE BY MIDNIGHT

Target and Latino Racism

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/10/target-
discrimination_n_3570717.html

10/24 Mon Reading Takaki Beckoned North: Mexico (426-433)

AND

Read article on the WEB link below:

Im adopted and have no clue about my heritage

http://offbeathome.com/adoption-race-and-heritage/

10/26 Wed Latino American Experience continued

10.28 Fri 8th ONLINE ASSIGNMENT DUE BY MIDNIGHT

10/31 Mon Readings: Takaki Chapter 8 (177-205) Chinese Americans

Video;: Becoming Chinese

11/2 Wed Chinese American experience continued

11/4 Fri 9th ONLINE ASSIGNMENT DUE BY MIDNIGHT

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/11/opinion/sunday/the-asian-
advantage.html?ref=opinion

11/7 Mon Reading: Takaki Chapter 10 (232-261) Japanese Americans

AND

World War II and Syrian Refuges

DOF/100 11 3/29/17
 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eileen-purcell/wwii-and-japanese-
americans_b_8640228.html

Japanese American Heroes World War II

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mg9Rwe69hao

Dont say these things to Asians

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LL8uqURmw40

11/9 Wed Discussions on Japanese Americans continued

Reparations paid for Internment

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lBkYYNYc4U

Half Japanese People

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqkUHhovA9s

Miss Universe Japan controversy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSYTx32XDm4

11/11 Fri 10th ONLINE ASSIGNMENT DUE BY MIDNIGHT

Women and body image

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/11/sports/tennis/tenniss-top-women-
balance-body-image-with-quest-for-success.html?_r=0

11/14 Mon Reading: Takaki- Chapter 11 (262-291) Jewish American

Jewish experience in America

Video Jews in the NBA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cd_6N_K4oeg

Video secret world of Hasidic Jews

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMoFQhOG_Ok

Video Stereotyping Jewish Americans

https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=51dFlpwKkBM&index=2&list=RDJZpDSdE0dwk

11/16 Wed Continued Chapter 11 discussion

11/18 Fri Extra credit essay

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11/21 Mon Chapter 16 Arabs in America (405 433)

Intersection of gender and ethnicity issues

Muslim women in America

Why Muslim women cover

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewOVDgS_UHc

Burqa Debate
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSIjfnpPCsg

11/23 Wed Chapter 16 discussion continued

Video Arabs in America
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wvt0Gff-tSQ

Video Arab Stories in America

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYekSbnTmG4

The Arab Street New York City

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poaSEmT24X8

11/25 Fri No Friday assignment

11/28 Mon Intersection of gender and ethnicity

Video: Ethnic Notions

11/30 Wed Intersection of gender and ethnicity continued

12/2 Fri NO CLASS, WORK ON FINAL PAPER

12/5 Mon NO CLASS, WORK ON FINAL PAPER

12/7 Wed FINAL CRITICAL BOOK ANALYSIS PAPER DUE IN CLASS

12/9 Fri LAST DAY OF INSTRUCTION

DOF/100 13 3/29/17
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