History 350
Instructor:
Dr. Lorna L. Lueker, National University
Phone:
(714) 429-5408, email: [email protected]
Office
Hours are M and W 4:30-5:30 or by appointment
Course Prerequisite: English 231/232
Course Description: This course will examine
the development of cultural diversity in urban American society through the
twentieth century. Our approach will be
broadly historical, and we will examine the material and readings in analytical
and thematic fashion. In this course
students will be provided with an overview of gender, class and ethnicity in
the building of multicultural America. We examine these issues as we study
changes in urbanization, technology, the economy and finally education.
Required Texts:
1.
A
Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America, by Ronald Takaki, 1993.
2.
Xeroxed
selections from:
Urban Policy in Twentieth-Century America, Ed. by Hirsch, Arnold and
Raymond Mohl, 1993.
Critical White Studies: Looking Behind the Mirror, Ed. By Delgado, Richard
and Jean Stefancic, 1997.
Possessive Investment in Whiteness, by George Lipsitz, 1998.
3.
Additional reading may be assigned in class as necessary.
Course Goals:
1.
To
introduce students to the culturally diverse nature of our society brought on
by the rise of the industrial revolution and fueled by immigration.
2.
To
analyze the ways in which our increasingly urbanized and technological culture
affects all aspects daily life and the nature of professional and unskilled
work.
3.
To
develop a working knowledge of theoretical models used to examine gender,
ethnicity and class diversity.
4.
To
understand the practice of everyday life in our modern, culturally diverse,
urbanized environment.
Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of the course, students will be able
to:
1.
Identify the major problems
in American urban history.
2.
Analyze the reasons for
popular upheavals in 20th century cities with reference race, class
and gender segregation.
3.
Describe different social
and political movements started in America to address issues of class,
ethnicity and gender.
4.
Explain the role and legacy
of immigration in the formation of American urban environments.
5.
Articulate basic themes of
the course in both an oral presentation and in written work including a
research paper and exams.
Course Requirements and
Grading:
1.
Class
Participation – you are expected to come to class prepared, having done the
reading for the session, you are also expected to prepare a Current Event
Presentation. The Current Event presentation may be made on any Monday or Wednesday
night and is due before the final course meeting (15%).
2.
Cultural
Diversity Module: an in class presentation demonstrating Cultural Diversity in
America. All presentations are due March 24, 2001 (25%).
3.
An
8-10 page research paper on "Cultural Diversity in America." Due February 24, 2000, (30%).
4.
A
Final Exam based on readings, films and lectures—March 31, 2001--(30%).
All written work for this class must be
completed at the university level. This
means that citations and bibliographies are expected. For help with writing please use the NU
writing center and/or check out the following website:
http://coord_notes.esc.edu/admin/complex.nsf/complexhome? openform.
Assignments:
Class Presentation and
Participation:
Each student is expected to come to class with questions and comments from the
reading. Some of the reading is
difficult so just stick with it. Try
and pick out the author's main themes.
What is it that the author wants the reader to know? Develop at least three questions that when
answered provide an overview of the author's main points. Students are expected to take the lead in
course discussion. In this class we
will explore issues of diversity, this brings up a lot of questions and
assumptions for people. We will respect
one another’s opinions and when our worldview is questioned, we will not get
angry, rude or insulting. This type of
behavior has no place in an academic environment. Each student is expected to present a current event or news
article to the class, see instructions on pg. 5 of this document.
Sharing Cultural Diversity
Module:
There are a variety of cultural practices that take place everyday in American
cities. Many of these practices have
been brought to America by immigrants.
The goal of this assignment is for each student to choose a cultural
artifact, belief, product or, practice brought to American by an
immigrant. You must then demonstrate
how this item lends to the cultural diversity of our society. Your method of
presentation is open. You may use
video, art, lecture, hands on demonstration or drama. We will discuss a number of possibilities in class. Students will present their cultural
diversity projects to the class on Saturday,
march 24, 2001. You are expected
to be in class on Saturday March 24, 2001; the Cultural Diversity Module may
not be made-up.
Final Research paper: Each student must write a
formal college level research paper.
The topic may be on any thematic issue from our course, for example,
racism, classism, gender discrimination, representations of ethnicity or it may
be on a city or urban location and how it gives rise to cultural diversity or
the isolation and alienation of people.
Students are free to choose their own topic, but they must clear the
paper topic with the faculty member.
The paper must be 8-10 pages in length, use at least five primary
research sources of information (note these sources should be current) and have
a bibliography. Appropriate form of
citation must be used, either APA or MLA.
Final Exam: The final exam will be
comprehensive. It will be based on
readings, lectures, films and class discussions. The exam will be in two
parts. Part 1: Each student will
answer approximately 15 objective questions.
These questions will test the student's comprehension of the reading
material. Part 2: Each student will answer two essay questions. The questions will require each student to
synthesize reading, lecture and film material in writing up an answer.
Grade Distribution
95-100
= A, 90-94 = A-
87-89.5
= B+, 83-86 = B, 80-82 = B-
77-79
= C+, 73-76 = C, 70-72 = C-
67-69
= D+, 63-66 = D, 60-62 = D-
Below
60 = F
Grading Criteria:
A: work that integrates
readings films and lectures and constructs and supports an original and
creative argument. This work will have
no grammar or spelling errors.
B: work that integrates
readings, films, lectures, and constructs a well-reasoned argument. This work will have very few grammar or
spelling errors.
C: work that shows a basic
assimilation of readings and lectures and repeats the course ideas. This work may contain some grammar and
spelling errors.
D: work shows a minimal
mastery of readings and lectures and makes little effort to grasp or present
ideas. This work is not written at
university level.
F: work that makes no effort
to master course materials or any plagiarized work.
Make-up Policy:
1.
There
is no makeup exam scheduled. Persons who are critically ill during the
examination period should notify the professor before the exam and must provide
a written statement from a physician documenting their illness.
2.
Course
presentation dates may not be changed or
made-up due to the course structure.
3.
One
point per day is subtracted from the final grade for any late work accepted.
4.
Students
must complete all requirements in order to receive a grade.
Class Schedule
Meeting 1: March 5 (Modnay)
Introduction:
Students and Faculty
Course
Overview: Cultural Diversity and the Development of American Society
Lecture
Theme: Our Multicultural beginnings
Meeting 2: March 7
(Wednesday)
Lecture
Theme: The Racialization of American Society
Readings:
Takaki, pg. 1-15 and 139-165
Film:
Eye of the Storm and A class Divided
Meeting 3: March 12 (Monday)
Lecture
Theme: Industrialization and Cities in the New World--Gender diversity and the
rise of an urban labor force
Reading:
Takaki, pg. 277-310
Film:
Immigration: New Work and New Roles 1880-1920
Meeting 4: March 14
(Wednesday)
Lecture
Theme: Chicanos in a Changing Society
Reading:
Takaki, pg. 311-339
Film:
500 years of Chcano history, Vol. 2.
Meeting 5: March 19 (Monday)
Lecture
Theme: Current Border/Immigration Issues
Reading:
Immigrant Labor and Identity Politics—Xeroxed reading from Lipsitz
Film:
Lonestar
Meeting 6: March 21
(Wednesday)
Lecture
Theme: Racism and the Northern city
Reading:
Takaki, pg. 340-369, "The Black Underclass" (Xerox), "Choosing a
Future" (Xerox),
Film:
Killing Floor
Meeting 7: March 24
(Saturday 8:00-12:00) we will meet for the full period
Module
on sharing cultural diversity
Due:
In class student presentations with a short write-up.
Meeting 8: March 26 (Monday)
Lecture
Theme: American Indians from
Wounded-Knee to Wounded-Knee
Readings:
Takaki, pg. 85-105 and 228-245
Film:
Kill the Indian, Save the Man
Meeting 9: March 28
(Wednesday)
Lecture
Theme: Multiculturalism, Affirmative Action and the Twenty-first Century
Reading:
Takaki, pg. 378-428
Due:
Research paper on Cultural Diversity in American Society
In
class workshop-review for Final exam
Meeting 10: March 31
(Saturday 8:00-12:00)
Final
exam: You must submit a SASE with enough postage to return your final exam
and your research paper (1 first class stamp per four pages of written
material).
Student
Name: __________________________ Date:
__________________
Find
one recent news article about contemporary cultural diversity issues in the
United States. Put your name on the
article and attach it to this sheet. In
your presentation, think about ways in which the history of urbanization in
American society and the treatment of ethnic, class and gender differences may
have influenced the particular news event.
What other factors might influence this news event? Why do you think that the editors of the
magazine or newspaper considered this article newsworthy? Is there an unspoken message in the article?