Course Information Overview
Professor Gina has one section of AAS 201: Race, Racism, and Critical Thinking to teach this Fall 2012:
- AAS 201, MW 11 AM to 12:15 PM, JR 330, #13620
Click the following link to download the full syllabus: Syllabus PDF version. (latest update 08-23-12).
Click the following Moodle link to log into the course's web discussion board.
Please view the Important Notice Column on the right to view news. This will also be replaced by the Moodle News after the 3rd week.
Click the following to view or download the Guides on Readings, Films and Writing Assignments.
Updated as of 01-14-13.
Budget Cut & Adding Class
Please come to the first day of class to find out what you need to do to be added. I can only add if there are seats. You will need to attend class sessions and do the assignments until there is space to be added. Sorry, there is no guarantee that you will be added. Priority will be given to graduating seniors and AAS majors and minors.
Course Description
Catalog Description
Introduction to the process of critical thinking through the lens of race-based theories and selected historical and contemporary discourse of African-Americans, Asian Americans, European Americans, and Latinos on race relations and multiculturalism in American society. Examines contemporary social issues through the use of scholarly studies and a range of cultural “texts” in order to explore the effects of race and racism on the relationship between language and logic, processes and form of reasoning, and practices of critical reflection. Also examines intersection of race, gender, and class. (Available for General Education Section A2, Critical Thinking of Basic Skills).
Instructor's Course Description
This course teaches students to critically examine race and racism, including their conceptualizations and impacts on society. This course takes the position that race, gender, class and sexuality are socially constructed and applies this constructionist perspective on examining race relations in the US, and, when possible, focusing on the experiences of Asian Pacific Americans. The purpose of the course is to teach students to read, think and write critically by exposing them to a selection of race relation topics. Students will learn about critical perspectives on “race.” Students are required to work in groups during class discussions of assignments to facilitate and enhance their comprehension of class materials. Active participation is crucial to build within each student public speaking, critical thinking, writing and reading skills. Writing assignments, exams and a final exam are given to assess students’ overall comprehension of the class. This course requires a lot of critical reading and writing assignments as it fulfills the General Education, Critical Reasoning, Basic Subjects requirement. Recommended Prerequisite: Completion of GE Section A.1 (Composition) and GE section A.3 (Math)
Course Prerequisites
There are no course prerequisites.
Goal of Critical Thinking
The goal of a Critical Thinking course is for students to be able to analyze information and ideas carefully and logically from multiple perspectives and develop reasoned solutions to problems. This goal can be achieved through the following list of student learning outcomes.
GE Student Learning Outcomes
- Explain and apply the basic concepts essential to a critical examination and evaluation of argumentative discourse
- Use investigative and analytical thinking skills to examine alternatives, explore complex questions and solve challenging problems
- Synthesize information in order to arrive at reasoned conclusions
- Evaluate the logic and validity of arguments, and the relevance of data and information
- Recognize and avoid common logical and rhetorical fallacies
This list of GE Student Learning Outcomes is fulfilled by covering the following course objectives.
The Course's Student Learning Objectives
- Understand the basics of argumentation including: 3 ways to appeal to the audience; components of an argument; inductive versus deductive reasoning, syllogism, enthymeme, common fallacies, and evaluation of the evidence.
- Critically reflect the nexus between knowledge and power, the link between social structure and agency, and the intertwining between the personal and the political.
- Use basic library research to evaluate and synthesize conflicting information in order to arrive at reasoned conclusions.
- Recognize crucial perspectives on “race” and their social political implications.
- Apply basic argumentation concepts to selected race topics.
- Critically examine basic racial concepts and theories that have been used to explain the statuses of various racial groups.
- Develop critical thinking, writing, reading, and public speaking skills via active class participation and group collaboration.
Grading
| Component/Item | Percentage | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Attendance | 10% | 40 pts. |
| Participation | 10% | 40 pts. |
| Writing Assignments | 30% | 120 pts. |
| Short Exams | 25% | 100 pts. |
| Final Exam | 25% | 100 pts. |
| Total | 100% | 400 pts. |
Grading is based on a strict scale of 400 points.
| 380-400 points is an A | 293-308 is a C |
|---|---|
| 360-379 is an A- | 280-292 is a C- |
| 349-359 is a B+ | 269-279 is a D+ |
| 333-348 is a B | 253-268 is a D |
| 320-332 is a B- | 240-252 is a D- |
| 309-319 is a C+ | Below 240 is an F |
Course Schedule
To see the class schedule and more details on the different components or requirements for the class, please download the full syllabus in pdf.