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Academic Programs - Cultural Studies

Cultural Studies 300-Fall Term 2005
Diversity and the American Experience

Syllabus

Credit hours: 3
Class time: 11:00 am
Class days: M W F
Class location: Bailey Auditorium
Instructor: Dr. Joseph Hoff
Office: Springer Center 108
Phone: 479-7xxx (office)
e-mail: joe.hoff@mac.edu

Course Description

      This course introduces students to the way in which the many cultures and voices of America have shaped and continue to shape American identity and culture. Students will study the foundational texts of American culture and examine the many issues and challenges which arise in the United States as our society becomes increasingly more diverse.

Course Objectives

1. To develop an understanding of how cultures shape identity;
2. To develop an understanding of how cultures interact within American society;
3. To develop an understanding of the foundational texts and principles of American culture;
4. To develop an understanding of the history of diversity in America ;
5. To introduce students to the contemporary issues related to diversity in American culture.
6. To develop appropriate-level critical thinking skills through the study of the ethical problems and dilemmas raised by issues of diversity in American culture.

Required Reading

    The required readings for the course, listed below in the “Course Schedule” section, are available on the College’s website. A click on the title of the assigned reading will take the student to the site where the reading is available. Those readings which are not available online (marked with an asterisk in the “Course Schedule”) are available for use and/or duplication at the Reference Desk in the Henry Pfeiffer College Library.

Course Requirements

     Throughout the term, students will be required to do a variety of projects designed to meet the objectives of the course. The form of these projects will vary throughout the semester. In some cases, the project will be done by individuals; others will require collaborative investigation and writing. There is a final project required of all students as well as a final writing assignment. Failure to complete either of these assignments will result in a failing grade for the course.

Classroom assignments

     In groups, students will be given an assignment for which they should collectively write a response; these activities are all done in-class, based on the assigned readings and accompanying presentations by the instructor.

Mid-term examination

The mid-term examination is an objective examination; all students are required to bring a no. 2 pencil on the exam date (listed below).

Final examination

Like the mid-term exam, the final examination is an objective exam; each student will be required to bring a no. 2 pencil on the exam date (listed below).

Essay

In the first week of the semester, the instructor will distribute the topic for the final essay which is due on the final class day. The final essay should be five complete pages in length, printed in Times New Roman 12-point font. As with any paper written in college, it should be well-organized with appropriate citations from texts used in class as well as outside references. All references should be listed on a “Works Consulted” page (not to be counted as one of the five pages of the final essay). The final essay must be submitted in order to pass the course.

Academic Honesty

Students are expected to exhibit academic honesty throughout the semester, in accordance with the College Policies as stated in The Maggie. Academic honesty required that the students’ work reflect their own thoughts and ideas. While such work should incorporate the ideas of others, when doing so a student must attribute such thoughts and ideas through the use of appropriate citation techniques. Academic dishonesty, including plagiarism and cheating, will result in a grade of F (0 points) for the assignment. Additionally, the student’s letter grade will be lowered by one whole grade (e.g., B- to C-) and will have his or her name submitted to the Academic Standards Committee for possible academic dismissal. In regard to written assignments, the organization as well as the writing of the assignment should reflect a student’s best individual writing effort. Excessive collaboration with another student on a writing assignment may result in plagiarism. A person who allows his or her work to be copied is just as guilty of academic dishonesty as the person who copies the work.

Classroom Behavior

Because of the size of this class, the following rules must be adhered to during all class sessions:

• students must arrive on time
• if a student does arrive late to class, s/he should enter the auditorium from the upper lobby and quietly take a seat near the rear of the auditorium
• students will sit with their respective groups in assigned seating
• during all class sessions, students should show respect to both the instructor and other students by refraining from personal conversations; such behavior makes it difficult for everyone to hear.

Evaluation of Students

     Throughout the term students will complete four assignments, a mid-term examination, a written essay, and a final examination. The grade for the course will be determined as follows:

written assignments (4 @ 50 points)	200 points
mid-term examination	150 points
final examination	200 points
final essay	200 points
Total number of points	750 points

Final grades, then, will be assigned based on the following point accumulation:

675-750 points	A
600-674 points	B
525-599 points	C
450-525 points	D
449 or less points	F

Course Schedule

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