SOCI 204 Race and Ethnic Relations

Kellogg Community College, Battle Creek, Michigan, www.kellogg.edu

Course Description:

Students will discover whether their ancestors experienced prejudice and discrimination, why they did or did not, and how individuals and a society can resolve racial and cultural issues. Group relations in different countries will be analyzed with a major emphasis on African Americans, Hispanics, Europeans, Asians, and Gypsies in the United States.           

Prerequisites:                          ACCUPLACER reading score of 60; or a "C" TSRE 55

Textbook(s):                           Textbook: Race and Ethnicity in America - A Concise History (Most recent edition) by Ronald Bayor, et al. W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.

Learner Supplies:                    Commonly found inexpensive clerical supplies. Plus access to assigned videos as listed.

General Education:                 This course is considered a General Education course. For more information, please see the Kellogg Community College catalog under ‘Instructional Information – General Education.’

Course Competencies:                                                           

1.       Identify the meaning of cultural diversity in the global community.

2.       Demonstrate an understanding of basic terms relating to citizenship in the global community.

3.       Integrate knowledge of historical, geographical and/or political perspectives relating to citizenship in the global community.

4.       Integrate knowledge of cultural, social and/or economic perspectives relating to citizenship in the global community.

5.       Compare and contrast cultures and ethnic groups relating to citizenship in the global community.

Mode of Instruction:  

This course will incorporate a variety of learning experiences. Lectures, class discussions, large and small group work, and oral and written assignments will be used to enhance and reinforce textbook readings. Guest speakers, videos, hands-on learning activities and field trips may also be used to support textbook theory and practice.

Grading Information:            

Grading Chart:                      

                                                94-100%                      A
90-93%                        A-
87-89%                        B+
84-86%                        B
80-83%                        B-
77-79%                        C+
74-76%                        C
70-73%                        C-
67-69%                        D+
64-66%                        D
60-63%                        D-
Below 60%                  F

Assignments:

1.       Chapter Check-Ups: Students will complete short quizzes for each of the chapters of the text.

200pts (10x20 Points Each)

2.       Chapter Posts: Students will complete a chapter post and reply associated with each chapter of the text.

200pts (10x20 Points Each)

3.       Personal Discovery: Each student will research their ancestry and present their findings to the class in discussion format.

100pts

4.       Final Research Paper: Each student will research the topic as presented in class of the last 20 years of American race and ethnic history. Incorporating concepts and data from the course text, as well as additional scholarly sources. This will be a structured 5 page (minimum) paper.

500pts

Grade Determination:

Assignments:                                                               Points Possible:

Chapter Checkups:                                                           200 (10x20 Points Each)

Chapter Posts:                                                                    200 (10x20 Points Each)

Personal Discovery:                                                      100

Final Research paper                                                      500

Total Points Possible                                                   1,000

Make-up Work and Late Assignments:

The instructor recognizes you may have legitimate reasons to be absent from class. Such circumstances may include verified illness, subpoenas, jury duty, or the death of a close family member. It is your responsibility to talk with the instructor and provide the necessary verification for your absence. In these circumstances and when possible, the instructor will try to provide options for making-up the missed assessment.

Attendance:

Regular attendance is an essential part of the educational experience and a requirement for an adequate evaluation of each student’s academic progress. Excessive absence is reported to the Academic Advising department.  An Advisor will reach out to students to discuss options for success.  Continued absenteeism may lead to administration action. Faculty are required to report to the Financial Aid office students who have never attended class. Federal aid may be reduced if a student does not begin attendance in all classes. This includes online courses. For more information, please visit:

http://www.kellogg.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Handbook-2016-2017.pdf

Drop/Add Procedures:

Drop/Add procedural information may be found at: http://www.kellogg.edu/catalog. The drop/add dates for every course may be found on the KCC web site at: www.kellogg.edu follow the schedule link.

Incomplete Grade and Additional Grading Policies:

For information regarding additional grading policies, please visit the KCC catalog at: http://www.kellogg.edu/catalog

Disability Services:

While ensuring the academic integrity of its programs, Kellogg Community College is dedicated to providing the reasonable accommodations needed to ensure equal access to educational opportunities for individuals with verified disabilities. Disability services are provided to students who self-disclose a disability to the Support Services Department and provide appropriate documentation. Support Services may be reached at 269.965.4150 or supportservices@kellogg.edu.

Academic Integrity Policies:

Ethical conduct is the obligation of every member of the KCC community.  Breaches of Academic integrity constitute serious breaches of ethical conduct.  Academic integrity requires that all academic work be wholly the product of an identified individual or individuals.  This policy demonstrates KCC’s concern for academic integrity and guarantees a fair procedure for handling these concerns.  Examples of unethical conduct include:  cheating, fabrication, and plagiarism.  For more information regarding KCC’s Student Code of Conduct, please visit:

http://www.kellogg.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Handbook-2016-2017.pdf.

Code of Conduct:

Kellogg Community College students are expected to model the skills and behaviors of working professionals. This includes exhibiting behaviors which support respect and courtesy in the class environment. For more information regarding KCC’s Student Code of Conduct, please visit: http://www.kellogg.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Handbook-2016-2017.pdf.

Safe and Successful Campus Environment:

KCC is dedicated to providing a safe environment which is conducive to success for all students.  When staff notice that a student is struggling emotionally, intellectually, or behaviorally with classroom expectations, they may notify the appropriate personnel on campus to intervene and provide assistance to that student.  Academic assistance is available in The Bridge and through Academic Advising; personal counseling is also available in Support Services.

Students whose behavior suggests they are struggling may also be contacted by the KCC Director of Student Relations or by KCC Public Safety.  If students have safety concerns about others’ behavior in class or on campus, those students are encouraged to discuss their concerns with KCC Public Safety directly.

Academic Support Services:

Kellogg Community College is committed to your academic success. If for any reason a student is struggling with a class, speak to the Professor immediately. They are the best resource. Additional resources available include The Bridge (http://www.kellogg.edu/services/the-bridge/) and Support Services (http://www.kellogg.edu/services/student-support-services/).

Honors Contract Information:

Honors contracts are a way for students to turn any college-level KCC course into an honors course, giving them the flexibility to take ownership over learning. At the beginning of the semester, with instructor approval, a student may work with the instructor to develop a unique honors project beyond the course syllabus. Once the honors project is clearly defined and the student’s project has been approved by the instructor, the student works independently on that project during the semester and may seek support from the instructor as needed; then, at the end of the semester, when the student successfully completes the honors project as outlined in the contract and earns at least a B+ in the course, the student will earn honors designation on their transcript. To download the honors contract and learn more about the Honors Program, please visit http://www.kellogg.edu/academics/honors-program/.

Retain this Syllabus & Syllabus Disclaimer:

This syllabus is a record of learning outcomes associated with this course. Many institutions will require a copy of this syllabus to grant transfer credit. It is the student’s responsibility to retain a copy for future use.

Information contained in this syllabus was, to the best knowledge of the instructor, considered correct and complete when distributed for use at the beginning of the semester. However, this syllabus should not be considered a contract between Kellogg Community College and any student, nor between the instructor and any student. The instructor reserves the right, acting within the policies and procedures of Kellogg Community College, to make changes in course content or instructional techniques without notice or obligation.

Use of Technology & Student Email Accounts:

The College has a variety of computer systems which are provided for the use of students and are to be used for education, research, academic development, and public service only. You are responsible for seeing that the computing facilities are used in an effective, efficient, ethical, and lawful manner. Computer systems, such as e-mail, are intended for college related activities only. Inappropriate messages and/or materials are not to be sent or stored. For more information, visit the KCC web page at: www.kellogg.edu.

Textbook Statement:

There are multiple choices for purchasing textbooks, including the Kellogg Community College bookstore (www.kellogg.edu - follow the on campus link to the bookstore). Please be advised that each student should fully investigate the refund policies of book retail stores, including the Kellogg Community College bookstore, PRIOR to purchasing a book for any course. When purchasing a book from the Kellogg Community College bookstore, students are encouraged not to break a textbook's binding, or open a book in shrink-wrap covering, prior to attending the first course session in order to verify that a correct book has been purchased. Students are advised to keep all receipts from book purchases.

Service Learning Option:

Incoming students enrolled in general education degree programs will be required to complete a service learning experience to qualify for graduation. All other students are encourage to participate in a service learning experience. Service Learning information may be found at: http://www.kellogg.edu/academics/service-learning/

Additional Information for Service Learning: See the instructor if you are interested in pursuing this option. Detailed instructions will be provided later, but you should know you will need to:

* Provide your own transportation to and from the placement site.

* Perform a minimum of 15 hours of service.

* Complete your hours by due date provided in the schedule.

* Complete reflection activity(s).

* Successfully complete both the course and the service.

Once the course and service are completed satisfactorily, the instructor will notify the Registrar's office and it will be indicated on your transcript.