HomeMy WebLinkAboutSOC-222Bergen Community College
Division of Business, Social Sciences & Public Services
Department of Social Sciences
Departmental Policy Syllabus
SOC-222 Ethnic and Minority Group Relations
Date of Most Recent Syllabus Revision: March 5, 2009
Course Typically Offered: Fall____ Spring____ Summer____ Every Semester__x__ Other_________________
Syllabus last reviewed by: BCC General Education Committee ____ Date:____________
(Most courses need review Ad Hoc Committee on Learning Assessment ____ Date:____________
by only one of the following) Curriculum Committee: ____ Date:____________
An individual classroom syllabus for this course must include as much of the following information as
is applicable:
Basic Information about Course and Instructor
Semester and Year:
Course and Section Number: [e.g., SOC-222-001]
Meeting Times and Locations:
Instructor:
Office Location:
Phone:
Departmental Secretary: [optional]
Office Hours:
Email Address:
Course Description
SOC-222: Ethnic and Minority Group Relations is a study of the diverse ethnic and multicultural structure
of the United States. Attention is given to Native American, African American, Hispanic American, Asian
American, particular Euro-American and religious minority groups (i.e., Jewish, Muslim, etc.). Topics of
discussion include the social, economic, and familial structures of various ethnic groups, the impact of
dislocation on the new immigrant, the nature and effects of prejudice and discrimination, and the life styles
of various minority groups.
3 lectures, 3 credits
Prerequisites: Soc 101
C-requisites: None
Social Science Elective
General Education Course
Student Learning Objectives/Means of Assessment
Objectives: Upon successful completion, the
student will be able to:
Means of Assessment: This outcome will be
measured by one or more of the following:
1. describe the rich cultural fiber of the United
States.
Objective tests, essay questions, oral reports, class
discussions, and writing assignments
2. distinguish between important concepts such as
ethnic groups, racial groups, stereotypes and
scapegoats.
Objective tests, essay questions, oral reports, class
discussions, and writing assignments
3. examine the heritage and current conditions of
the major ethnic and racial groups in the United
States.
Objective tests, essay questions, oral reports, class
discussions, and writing assignments
4. describe differences between and the causes of
prejudice and discrimination.
Objective tests, essay questions, oral reports, class
discussions, and writing assignments
5. explore the often violent and suspicious
relationships between the various ethnic and
racial groups in the U.S.
Objective tests, essay questions, oral reports, class
discussions, and writing assignments
6. determine whether the United States even
became a “melting pot” and what has either
facilitated or hindered this process.
Objective tests, essay questions, oral reports, class
discussions, and writing assignments
7. take one or more field trips to ethnic or racial
ghettos in the NY Metropolitan area to learn
about one or more groups in a face-to-face,
personal, non-theoretical manner.
Objective tests, essay questions, oral reports, class
discussions, and writing assignments
8. describe the difference between a pluralistic and
an assimilationist society.
Objective tests, essay questions, oral reports, class
discussions, and writing assignments
9. describe the preconditions and the “natural
process” of prejudice.
Objective tests, essay questions, oral reports, class
discussions, and writing assignments
10. determine the differences between
discriminatory and non-discriminatory acts.
Objective tests, essay questions, oral reports, class
discussions, and writing assignments
11. recognize identifiable subgroups and the
discriminatory variables that imitate social
action.
Objective tests, essay questions, oral reports, class
discussions, and writing assignments
12. analyze Supreme Court decisions in terms of
minority group rights.
Objective tests, essay questions, oral reports, class
discussions, and writing assignments
13. analyze differential immigration patterns in
terms of future minority group treatment.
Objective tests, essay questions, oral reports, class
discussions, and writing assignments
Course Content
This course is designed for the students to:
1. Define race and ethnicity, as well as the social concepts of majority and minority groups.
2. Be familiar with major sociological perspectives (functional theory, conflict theory, and
interactionist theory) in order to analyze ethnic and minority group relations.
3. Understand historical evidence related to each group studied and the impact of that
history on contemporary ethnic and minority group relations.
4. Be familiar with the major research strategies to study the subject matter.
5. Understand the role of institutions and systems in creating, maintaining, and/or resolving
problem relations among different groups.
6. Understand the concepts of social utility, social policy and how policy issues impact on
ethnic and minority group relations.
7. Be sensitive to the complexities of the society of which students are a member.
8. Create critical and plausible solutions for improving group relations.
Topic headings that are preceded by an asterisk (*) are considered essential t opics in this course.
The coverage of additional topics in this class are at the discretion of the individual instructor.
Chp. 1: Understanding Race and Ethnicity*
Chp. 2: Prejudice*
Chp. 3: Discrimination*
Chp. 4: Immigration and the United States*
Chp. 6: Native Americans*
Chp. 7: African Americans in a White America*
Chp. 8: African Americans Today
Chp. 9: Hispanic Americans*
Chp. 10: Mexican Americans and Puerto Ricans
Chp. 12: Asian Americans: Growth and Diversity*
Chp. 13: Chinese Americans and Japanese Americans
Chp. 11: Muslim and Arab Americans: Diverse Minorities*
Chp. 5: Ethnicity and Religion*
Chp. 14: Jewish Americans: Quest to Maintain Identity*
Chp. 17: Overcoming Exclusion*
Special Features of the Course (if any) [to be designated by the instructor]
E.g., the use of learning technologies in the course (Internet, PowerPoint, etc.); the inclusion of
technological literacy and/or information literacy learning in the course; etc.
Course Texts and/or Other Study Materials
Valuable Texts for Reference:
The Perennial Struggle: Race, Ethnicity and Minority Group Relations in the United States (2nd Edition),
by Michael LeMay, 2007.
Research, Thinking, Writing, and/or Examination Requirement(s)
All students in the Ethnic and Minority Group Relations course will be expected to engage in one or more
written assignments. These assignments may be essay questions on one or more tests, an essay test, or
a short written report based on outside readings or activities.
Students should be encouraged through classroom activities to think about, analyze, and use basic
sociological concepts in the analysis of substance abuse counseling issues. Memorization of key
concepts and theories should be thought of as the first, not the final, stage of learning significant course
materials.
Grading Policy
In determining a student’s semester grade, a minimum of three, and preferably more, grading
mechanisms should be employed. Multiple choice, matching, fill-in, true/false, and short answer
questions are appropriate. Term projects and research reports may be utilized, as well as essay
questions based on outside readings should be considered. If a web site for the course is developed (this
is encouraged), students may also be evaluated on the basis of their participation in online discussions.
Online exams are acceptable, if they are one of several assessment tools.
Grading System:
Students will be presented with a grading system for the course on the first day of the semester. The
grading system will include, at a minimum, two or three components:
1. A scale for determining grades A-F, such as the following:
a. A = an average of 90 or higher
b. B+ = an average between 87 and 89
c. B = an average between 80 and 86
d. C+ = an average between 77 and 79
e. C = an average between 70 and 76
f. D = an average between 65 and 60
g. F = an average lower than a 65
2. An explanation for the value of course components can include as per the following:
a. 3 tests: each test represents 25% of the final grade for a total of 75%
b. 1 short paper: represents 20% of final grade
c. attendance/participation represents 5% of final grade, or if online,
d. 5 online discussions: each discussion is 20% of final grade for a total of 100%
Attendance Policy
BCC Attendance Policy:
All students are expected to attend punctually every scheduled meeting of each course in which they are
registered. Attendance and lateness policies and sanctions are to be determined by the instructor for each
section of each course. These will be established in writing on the individual course outline. Attendance
will be kept by the instructor for administrative and counseling purposes.
Sociology Discipline Attendance Policy:
The discipline has agreed to leave attendance policies up to the discretion of each course instructor.
Attendance Policy in this Course:
To be determined by the instructor
Other College, Divisional, and/or Departmental Policy Statements [optional but recommended]
Examples:
Code of Student Conduct.
Statement on plagiarism and/or academic dishonesty.
ADA statement.
Sexual Harassment statement.
Statement on acceptable use of BCC technology.
Statement on the purpose and value of faculty office hours.
Student and Faculty Support Services [optional but recommended]
List support services, e.g., the Writing Center, the Math Lab, the Tutorial Center, Online Writing Lab
(OWL), Office of Specialized Services, etc.
Include a statement on the BCC Library.
Example:
Student and Faculty Support Services
The distance Learning
Office-for any problems
you may have
accessing your online
courses
Room C-334
210-612-5581
psimms@bergen.edu
Smartthinking Tutorial
Service
On Line at: www.bergen.edu/library/learning/tutor/smart/ind
ex.asp
The Tutoring Center Room L-125 201-447-7908
The Writing Center Room L-125 201-447-7908
The Online Writing Lab
(OWL)
On Line at: www.bergen.edu/owl
The Office of Specialized
Services (for Students
with Disabilities)
Room S-131 201-612-5270
www.bergen.edu/oss
The Sidney Silverman
Library
Room L-226 201-447-7436
Include a Course Outline and Calendar
The Course Outline and Calendar must include all of the following elements;
A daily or (at least) weekly schedule of topics to be covered.
Dates for exams, quizzes, or other means of assessment.
Due dates for major assignments-e.g., due dates for the paper(s), due dates for the project(s) etc.
Any required special events-e.g., a lecture by a visiting speaker, a dramatic performance etc.
A note to students stating that the course outline and calendar is tentative and subject to change,
depending upon the progress of the class.
Sample Format for Course Outline and Calendar
UNIT # TOPIC ASSIGNMENT
Week 1
Understanding Race and
Ethnicity
Racial and Ethnic Groups, Richard T.
Schaefer, Pearson/Prentice Hall,
Chapter. 1
Week 2
Prejudice
Racial and Ethnic Groups, Richard T.
Schaefer, Pearson/Prentice Hall,
Chapter. 2
Week 3
Discrimination
Racial and Ethnic Groups, Richard T.
Schaefer, Pearson/Prentice Hall,
Chapter. 3
Week 4
Immigration in the United
States
Racial and Ethnic Groups, Richard T.
Schaefer, Pearson/Prentice Hall, Chapter.
4
Week 5 Test 1 and
Native Americans
Racial and Ethnic Groups, Richard T.
Schaefer, Pearson/Prentice Hall, Chapter.
6
Week 6
The Making of African
Americans in White
America
Racial and Ethnic Groups, Richard T.
Schaefer, Pearson/Prentice Hall, Chapter.
7
Week 7 I
African Americans
Today
Racial and Ethnic Groups, Richard T.
Schaefer, Pearson/Prentice Hall, Chapter.
8
Week 8
Hispanic Americans
Racial and Ethnic Groups, Richard T.
Schaefer, Pearson/Prentice Hall,
Chapter. 9
Week 9 Racial and Ethnic Groups, Richard T.
Mexican Americans and
Puerto Ricans
Schaefer, Pearson/Prentice Hall, Chapter.
10
Week 10 Test 2 and
Asian Americans: Growth
and Diversity
Racial and Ethnic Groups, Richard T.
Schaefer, Pearson/Prentice Hall, Chapter.
12
Week 11
Chinese Americans and
Japanese Americans
Racial and Ethnic Groups, Richard T.
Schaefer, Pearson/Prentice Hall, Chapter.
13
Week 12
Muslim and Arab
Americans: Diverse
Minorities
Racial and Ethnic Groups, Richard T.
Schaefer, Pearson/Prentice Hall, Chapter.
11
Week 13
Ethnicity and Religion and
Jewish Americans: Quest
to Maintain Identity
Racial and Ethnic Groups, Richard T.
Schaefer, Pearson/Prentice Hall,
Chapters 5 and 14
Week 14
Beyond the U.S.: The
Comparative Perspective
Racial and Ethnic Groups, Richard T.
Schaefer, Pearson/Prentice Hall, Chapter.
16
Week 15
Overcoming Exclusion
Racial and Ethnic Groups, Richard T.
Schaefer, Pearson/Prentice Hall, Chapter.
17
Week 16
Test 3/Final Exam, Chps.
10-12
Final Essay
Papers/Projects Due, If
Assigned
Note to Students: This Course Outline and Calendar is tentative and subject to chang e, depending upon the
progress of the class.