COURSES
Fall Quarter 2008
Course Descriptions
CISS 12-04 – Poverty in America
10:00-11:25 MWF
Reed
“Poverty in America” is an interdisciplinary social science course that explores the perspectives of sociology, economics, political science, philosophy, and theology in relationship to the causes, consequences, and solutions to the problem of poverty. The relationship between the human person and society will be the foundation for our exploration of the reality of poverty in America. In this course we highly suggest that students place into context and understand the following concepts and theories.
- Situational Poverty theory
- Generational Poverty theory
- Culture of Poverty theory
- Structure of Poverty theory
- Stratification theory
CRJS 306/HUMT 400-01 – Police and Society
7:45-9:50am MW
Reed
The purpose of this course is to acquaint students with ways to understand the role of police in our society and, in particular, in the City of Seattle. The goal of the course is to create inspired and education citizens who have a passion for justice, fair play, accountability, and equity. To that end, the professor will offer lectures, videos, and discussions around the history of policing, contemporary aspects of policing, and the future of law enforcement in the United States.
HIST 121-06 – Introduction to Modern Civilization: The African Diaspora
10:00-12:05 T, Th
Adejumobi
This course will introduce students to the history of the African diaspora and enrich their understanding of the roles that Africans and African Americans in Latin America and the United States played in the formation of the modern world. We will critically evaluate how similarities and differences in geography and the historical construction of the black experience gave Africans, African Americans, and Afro-Caribbean people certain common, but also unique understandings of the nature of racial identity, citizenship, and modernity configured by the trans-Atlantic slave trade and colonial rule. The three major sections are: the African background; the slave trade and slavery; and emancipation and post-emancipation issues. Students will be introduced to basic African intellectual theories of culture, identity, and power, which are the main features of modern black diaspora politics.
While learning the stories and facts in history is crucial, students will also learn to question those stories and “facts.” Students will be encouraged to question both primary and secondary sources in order to understand various viewpoints and limitations in history. In addition, students will be expected to ask probing questions about why authors wrote their texts as they did and what we can learn from their specific methods, techniques and perspectives. Thus, critical thinking is a key component to the class.
Course Methods and Format
This class relies upon collaboration among class members and inquiry as a process for developing historical understanding. Students are expected to read assignments before coming to class in order to engage in small group and class discussions. The class will mix lectures with discussions to address the themes and texts.
Like most history classes, this class will involve a significant amount of reading. Please plan to study at least two hours for every class time.
Required Materials
- Michael L. Conniff and Thomas J. Davis, Africans in the Americas: A History of the Black Diaspora (New Jersey: The Blackburn Press, 1994)
- Anne Moody, Coming of Age in Mississippi: The Classic Autobiography of Growing up Poor and Black in the Rural South (New York: Laurel, 1968)
- J. Nozipo Maraire, Zenzele: A Letter for My Daughter (New York: Delta, 1996)
- Course Packet available at Copy Mart
HIST 491 – Africa: History, Culture and Modernity
3:45-5:50 T, Th
Adejumobi
The primary objective of the course is to introduce students to the rich history of intellectual and political theories of African thinkers and leaders, and to encourage comparative and critical analysis of their philosophies and role in history of the modern era. A number of analytical themes will be highlighted: first, that African social and political thought represents an important progressive tradition in its own right; second, that while African thinkers have historically been united around certain core issues and concerns, their unity has nevertheless been characterized by a high degree of diversity and internal debate. As thinkers working from different geographical, historical, class, and gender locations, these individuals have sought to deploy a variety of frameworks or “paradigms” to explain “Africa” and “modernity” and to propose courses of action. African social and political thought has often been cosmopolitan in its inspiration and content—a combination of indigenous epistemology and beliefs as well as critical explorations of many of the points of global philosophical inquiry and political debate, such as in the humanist and social justice thrusts.
Readings:
Toyin Falola, ed., Africa Volume 2. African Cultures and Societies Before 1885,
Durham, North Carolina: Carolina Academic Press, 2000
Saheed A. Adejumobi, The History of Ethiopia
(The Greenwood Histories of the Modern Nations), Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press, 2007
Basil Davidson, The Black Man’s Burden: Africa and the Curse of the Nation State, London: James Currey, 1992
Robert W. July, An African Voice: The Role of the Humanities in African Independence, Durham, North Carolina: Duke University Press, 1987
Manthia Diawara, In Search of Africa,
Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press, 2000
Ayi Kwei Armah, Two Thousand Seasons,
London: Heinemann, 1987
Course Packet
MUSC 100 – Introduction to Musical Theory
10:00-12:05 MW
Morris
Practical study of the language of music from the rudiments of music theory, scales, key and time signatures, terminology and basic rhythmic exercises. Experiential aspect of the course will include attendance at concert performances. Fulfills fine arts core requirement.
SOCL 120 – Introduction to Sociology
10:00-12:05 T, Th
Fitts
A description of the science of sociology; an analysis of interpersonal relations of associations and social institutions, and the way these affect one another and are affected by culture.
SOCL 210-01 – American Society and Culture
10:00-11:25 MWF
Perry
Exploration of the basic institutions and social structure of America. Analysis of main patterns and trends since WWII in population, environment, technology, economy, politics, family, and class, interpreted as a transformation to a post-industrial society. Reflection on origin and nature of American values and character structure; problems and future prospects.
SOCL 317/SOCW 317 – Race & Ethnicity
1:30-3:35 T, Th
White
This course will explore the concepts of race and ethnicity. It will cover the main historical and global processes that have led to the formation of ethnic and racial groups, as well as the political, economic, and personal realities of race and raced identities in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Class sessions will consist of student led group discussions, supplemented by lectures and films. The final essay for the course will be a combination of field experience and theoretical analysis of Seattle's place within contemporary ideas about race and ethnicity.
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