Course Syllabus (Also available on Website) Spring 2006

Department of Social Sciences

Prerequisite: SOC 211; Day & Time: T, TH: 4:00-5:15; ISC # 107

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Instructor: Dr. Ali Al-Taie Office Location: ISC # 203

Office Hours: MWF: 10-12; 2-3; T, TH: 3:00-4:00 & by appointment

Telephone: 546-8385; E-mail: Aaltaie@ShawU.Ed

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This new course focuses on African-Americans as a distinct racial/ethnic group in the greater society of the United State of America. While the group belongs to this same society, like any other sizeable minority, it identifies with unique sociological features that are singled out and analyzed for a better understanding of this community. Thus, history, socioeconomic status, marriage/family patterns, (social) psychology, and social issues/problems, including racial/ethnic prejudice and discrimination, are discussed throughout the course. As public policy, society’s response to the group’s individualized needs and concerns are addressed as well.

1. Define the group in connection with its greater society;

2. Specify the different social attributes that are considered to be unique to the group;

3. Describe the major socioeconomic issues and problems the group encounters;

5. Learn about the different public policies that society implements in the interest of the group.

1. First exam 20

2. Second exam 20

3. Third, exam 20

4. Fourth exam 20

5. Term Paper (See Guidelines attached.) 10

6. Presentation of Term Paper 05

7. Presentation of a designed subject from a textbook 05

Total Points 100

expected to dress and behave in a fashion appropriate to the learning process. Students will refrain from disruptive classroom acts such as unnecessary talking to classmates; wearing improper clothes, hats/caps and/or headdress; eating, drinking, and chewing gum, straw or tooth pick.

further reading and for research purposes. If a source is not found in our library, you should refer to area libraries to find and to use it. (You will be given assignments towards identifying relevant course references available on Shaw University Campus.)

class throughout the time period.

absences will be treated according to the University Catalog, Students Handbook, and, Faculty Handbook, which may result in reducing the grade earned, to a lower letter grade.

mentioned University documents.

asking incisive questions, answering questions) is expected, evaluated, and credited accordingly.

are they permitted to bring in friends unless the friend is a standing Shaw University student.

reason, you would need to inform me about it in advance or as soon

as you come back to class. Otherwise, a make-up exam will not be arranged for you. In either case, you need to provide me, through the Office of Student Affairs, with a written form excuse indicating that you are eligible for taking the make-up exam. The make-up will be an essay-format exam.

Teaching/Reading Schedule:

Week 1: Orientation towards the course, including dissemination of the Syllabus, and first handout: Basic Terms & Concepts

Week 2: African-Americans’ Contribution to Sociology.

Week 3: Black-Americans (Chapters 1-2)

Week 5: Same (Chapters 5-6)

Week 10: Same (Chapters 6-7)

Week 12: Same (Chapters 13-14)

Week 13: Same (Chapter 15)

Week 14: Same (Chapter 16)

Week 15: Course Conclusion and Evaluation of Your Contribution/Presentation

The Sociology of African-American, SOC 335-01 (Spring 2006)

2) The abstract (a concise summary) of the paper in one paragraph on the second page

3) Introduction, in which you include these items:

4) Discussion, which includes:

6

5) Conclusion

6) Notes, if any (on separate pages)

(End.)

Handout # 1

A. A Definition:

Sociology is an integrative social science that studies society’s different social institutions, social groups and social organizations, and how these all interact with one another. In other words, sociology studies social behavior, that is, the mutual behavior of social groups, from different aspects and angles. Sociology also theorizes on how human society has become possible from its very origin, has developed to the present, and how it is held together. Therefore, it delves into social order, Social stability, and social change, evolutionary or revolutionary.

B. Sociological Areas/Branches:

In light of the above definition, sociological areas include more than one hundred, and sociological topics and terms encompass hundreds, indeed. (See, for example, the detailed table of content and the glossary of any Introduction to Sociology textbook, including the text you have already studied in SOC 211.)

C. How the African-American Group Is Dealt with in this Course:

We deal sociologically in this course with one social group, namely, African-Americans. Each sizable social group in society can be studied as either a sub-society or a society within a society for acquiring more and better objective knowledge. However, this knowledge cannot be acquired accurately if we do not see the group under the light of its surrounding national society. To know yourself is to know the others, without which you are no body. Generally, by using sociological approach we need to know how this African-American group, has evolved historically, and what are its current sociological characteristics within the greater society of the United States of America.

3