AES: Diversity and Civil Rights in the U.S.

Class Hours - M-F 11:30 - 12:30
Instructor - Michael D. Krauss
Phone x7315 from on campus
Office Hours - To be set. Also available by appointment.

I. TEXTS

Required:

• Teacher Prepared Materials (buy in class)
• Us and Them, A History of Intolerance in America, Carnes, Teaching Tolerance - Southern Poverty Law Center, 1995. (buy in class)
• To Kill a Mockingbird, Lee, Warner Books, 1960. (buy in class)

Additional supplies:

• 8 1/2 x 11 inch notebook paper for essay assignments
• Stapler and staples ; highlighter pens
• Flash key drive (need only one for all courses)
• 8 1/2 x 11 inch spiral notebook (50 pages or more)

II. COURSE DESCRIPTION/OBJECTIVES

This class will be content-based. This means that university level content materials will be studied in order to improve students' academic study skills, learning strategies and language abilities in all four skill areas (reading, writing, listening and speaking).

The content focus of this course will be "Diversity and Civil Rights in the U.S." Why have certain groups been subjected to violent mistreatment since before the birth of the U.S.? What historical events led up to this "revolution" which we call the Civil Rights movement? What has been the result for African Americans (as well as for other minority groups)? Why does discrimination against minorities persist? What role does race play? What does race mean? What part does the U.S. political system play? What about the views of private citizens? Are there any parallels between the experiences of minority groups in the U.S. and those of international students studying in the U.S.?

These topics are relevant ones for everyone living and studying in the U.S. By exploring several topics related to the broad theme of diversity, students should be able to gain in-depth insight into this area of U.S. culture. In order to gain knowledge of the content area, students will be exposed to a rich variety of sources and activities: readings (speeches, letters, articles); videotaped college lectures; feature films and videotaped TV specials; computer simulations, and more. It is my hope that interaction with these varied resources will not only make this theme come alive, but also provide an environment in which students can develop many of the academic language and study skills necessary to succeed in a university setting.

III. CLASS WEB PAGE

http://www.lclark.edu/~krauss/diversity98/home.html

During the course, you will refer to this Web page for additional resources and activities to enhance your learning.

IV. JOURNALS

All of your assignments (unless I say otherwise) should be written in your spiral notebook (Journal). I will not take up and grade each of your daily assignments. However, regularly during the course, I will collect and grade your journal. This will give me a chance to comment on your work and give you credit based on the completeness and quality of your work.

V. GRADING:*

• Journals - 35%
• Exams and Essay Assignments - 35%
• Participation/Cooperation/Attendance - 30%

*Attendance is required for all AES classes. You are allowed only 5 absences in this class. (3 times late = 1 absence) If you miss more, your grade will be lowered. There will be no make-up exams or quizzes.

Return to Diversity home page.
Return to Michael Krauss home page.

Created by: krauss@lclark.edu
Updated: 1/14/06