LCS 151 Syllabus 1
First Year Liberal Arts Seminar LCS 151 Social Justice
Professor Stephanie Carter Office: Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) Phone: 232-6568 Email: scarter@[Link] Office Hours: Wed 12 to 1 pm; Thurs 10:30 am to 12:30 pm; Fri 12 to 1 pm; & by appointment Course Description
The theme of the Seminar is Social Justice, a subject that is vitally important in our increasingly interdependent world. We will explore this topic by applying concepts and investigative tools from a range of liberal arts disciplines, including history, anthropology, political science, philosophy, and literature, to a number of related questions. What are the characteristics of a just society? What historical, economic, social, and cultural factors contribute to social justice? Which tend to result in oppression and dehumanization? What should be done to create a more just society? What are our obligations as individuals and communities regarding the creation and preservation of social justice, both locally and globally? How should we respond to socially unjust conditions and actions?
Course Objectives
This course provides a means for you to learn about theories and practical issues related to social justice. Class lectures, assignments, and discussions related to the course will improve your ability to: Participate in class discussions as an engaged member of a community. Compose persuasive essays using theses, analyses, and convincing evidence. Recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information. Comprehend, analyze, interpret, question, and discuss visual, aural, and written materials.
Course Expectations
To do well and grow in this seminar experience, you need to: Read texts thoroughly. A minimum of 2-3 hours of reading for daily assignments is standard. Take notes during and outside of class and come to class prepared to summarize critical parts of assigned reading.
Grading:
Four short assignments (5% each; 20%) Short papers or in-class writing assignments (2 pages, double spaced) will be assigned at four points throughout the semester (see attached schedule). One of these short assignments will be a research journal. o More on research journals: Each student will be responsible for submitting a research journal for one of the texts during the course of the semester and for sharing the results of their research with other students in class. Two formal essays, 5 pages, typed (double spaced) (20% each; 40%). Topics are designed to allow you to synthesize materials following the completion of major sections of the syllabus. Class participation (20%). This grade is a combination of attendance, quizzes, participation in seminar discussions and attendance at required events, including special speakers. Final exam (20%). This will be an essay exam.
LCS 151 Syllabus 2
Required Materials
Tracy Kidder, Mountains Beyond Mountains Article, Michael Reisch "Defining Social Justice in a Socially Unjust World." Ian F. Haney Lopez, Racism on Trial: The Chicano Fight for Justice Article, Second Sex "Introduction" Moises Kaufman, The Laramie Project (play) Article, Philip Gourevitch, "The Life After" Chirot and McCauley, Why Not Kill Them All Nawal el Saadawi, Woman at Point Zero
Required Reference
Diana Hacker, A Writers Reference
Semester Events
September 27 from 5:00-7:00pm or September 29 7:00-9:00pm: showing of the film Bullied followed by discussion. Janikies. Sponsored by the Student Diversity Advocates. September 28, Janikies, 2:00pm, Haiti and Health, Toby Simon and Dr. Peter Simon. October 29, 5th Annual African Studies Workshop held in Providence at the Providence Public Library: o 1:30pm, Lecture: Political Asylum Cases: A Retrospective on Really Saving Lives," Carolyn FluehrLobban and Richard Lobban. o 2:30pm, Performance by the Senegalese sabar group led by Lamine Toure. o For more information on the event, the speakers, and the performers, please go to the African Studies Website: [Link]
Group Library Sessions
Group library sessions have been set up as an opportunity for you to learn about using library resources, evaluating materials, and understanding the differences between credible and non-credible sources. You are required to attend ONE of these sessions in order to receive full credit for your research journal assignment. Sign up at the reference desk in the library. They will be held in Bello 102.
9/11 Sunday 6:30-7:30pm 9/12 Monday 11am 12pm 9/14 Wednesday 3-4pm 9/15 Thursday 2-3pm 9/16 Friday 12-1pm
9/18 Sunday - 6:30-7:30pm 9/21 Wednesday 1:30-2:30pm 9/21 Wednesday 3-4pm 9/22 Thursday 2-3pm 9/23 Friday 1-2pm
LCS 151 Syllabus 3
Schedule:
Check Blackboard for detailed reading assignments. If you are absent, you are responsible for checking what assignments are due.
Date
9/7
Text
Due
In Class
Introductions; look at Universal Declaration of Human Rights and receive HW assignment for UDHR Choose research journal text
9/9
UDHR
9/12 9/14 9/16 9/19 9/21 9/23 9/26 9/28
Reisch Reisch Kidder Kidder Kidder Kidder Kidder Kidder
Bring your calendar, and be familiar with all the texts for the class. Reading assignment on UDHR Complete reading assignment from Reisch Complete reading assignment from Reisch Complete reading assignment from Kidder Complete reading assignment from Kidder Complete reading assignment from Kidder; SHORT ASSIGNMENT #1 DUE Complete reading assignment from Kidder Complete reading assignment from Kidder Complete reading assignment from Kidder; RESEARCH JOURNAL DUE FOR KIDDER STUDENTS; bring calendar to choose conference date
Short assignment #1 assigned; introduction to Kidder Research journals requirements discussed
Discuss the process of revising writing; 5 page paper #1 assigned; sign up for conferences; discuss conference requirements; RJ presentations
9/30 10/3 10/5 10/7 10/12 10/14 10/17 10/19 10/21
NO CLASS ONE ON ONE CONFERENCES NO CLASS ONE ON ONE CONFERENCES NO CLASS ONE ON ONE CONFERENCES deBeauvoir Complete reading assignment from de Beauvoir deBeauvoir 5 PAGE PAPER #1 DUE Lopez Lopez Lopez Lopez Complete reading assignment from Lopez Complete reading assignment from Lopez Complete reading assignment from Lopez Complete reading assignment from Lopez; RESEARCH JOURNAL DUE FOR LOPEZ STUDENTS Complete reading assignment from Kaufman Complete reading assignment from Kaufman; RESEARCH JOURNAL DUE FOR KAUFMAN STUDENTS Complete reading assignment from Kaufman; SHORT ASSIGNMENT #2 DUE; bring calendar to choose conference date
Finish deBeauvoir; introduction to Lopez
Short assignment #2 assigned; intro to Kaufman; RJ presentations
10/24 10/26
Kaufman Kaufman
RJ presentations
10/28
Kaufman
LCS 151 Syllabus 4
Date
10/31
Text
TBA
Due
In Class
5 page paper #2 assigned; sign up for conferences; discuss conference requirements writing issues; intro to Chirot and McCauley
11/2 11/4 11/7 11/9 11/11 11/14 11/16
11/18 11/21 11/23 and 11/25 11/28 11/30
MAKEUP CLASS OPTIONAL ATTENDANCE WORK ON 5 PAGE PAPER NO CLASS ONE ON ONE CONFERENCES NO CLASS ONE ON ONE CONFERENCES Chirot & Complete reading assignment from Chirot McCauley and McCauley Chirot & Complete reading assignment from Chirot McCauley and McCauley Chirot & Complete reading assignment from Chirot McCauley and McCauley; 5 PAGE PAPER #2 DUE Chirot & Complete reading assignment from Chirot Short assignment #3 assigned; McCauley and McCauley; RESEARCH JOURNAL DUE intro to Gourevitch; RJ FOR CHIROT AND MCCAULEY STUDENTS presentations Gourevitch Complete reading assignment from Gourevitch Gourevitch Complete reading assignment from Intro to el Saadawi Gourevitch THANKGIVING RECESS el Saadawi el Saadawi Complete reading assignment from el Saadawi; SHORT ASSIGNMENT #3 DUE Complete reading assignment from el Saadawi; RESEARCH JOURNAL DUE FOR EL SAADAWI STUDENTS Complete viewing of Black Gold (film) Choose scene from Black Gold ALL REVISIONS DUE TBA
RJ presentations
12/2 12/5 12/7 12/9
Black Gold Black Gold Black Gold
Course evaluations Discuss film Final Exam Reviews
Final Exam Date To Be Determined
LCS 151 Syllabus 5
COURSE POLICIES ATTENDANCE: Students are allowed three absences. For each absence over three, you will lose 1/3 of a letter grade. For example, if you have an B+, and 4 absences, your final grade will move down to a B; if you have 5 absences, it would be a B-. Make sure to contact me in extreme circumstances. There will be one optional make-up class scheduled during the semester. No other make-up activities will be allowed. No quizzes or other in-class assignments can be made up, unless notice of your absence is given prior to class time. PROMPTNESS: Tardiness will count against you. You are required to be in class ready to begin by the scheduled start time, and to remain in class throughout the entire class period. Three late appearances and/or early exits count as one absence (see above policy for absences). No quizzes or other in-class assignments can be made up, unless notice of your tardiness is given prior to class time. TEXTS: You will need to purchase all the books required for this course, as listed in this syllabus. You must bring the book we are working with to class for each class meeting. If you do not have the book with you, you will not be able to successfully complete some of the required in-class activities. I will not share my books with you. Three instances of not having your book with you will count as one absence (see above policy for absences). DEADLINES: All papers, projects and other assignments are to be submitted in class or on Blackboard at the day and time that they are due. Late papers, projects, and other assignments are marked down at the discretion of your professor. If you are facing difficult circumstances, please see me outside of class time to discuss the possibility of an extension. You will be allowed to revise papers that are turned in prior to the deadline; late papers will not be eligible for revision (for more information, see Revisions below). CONFERENCES: A conference is a meeting with the professor to discuss your work in the course. Attendance at scheduled conference sessions is mandatory. A missed conference appointment will count as an absence. Bring all required materials to the conference. You will be graded on two components of the conference: the materials you bring with you (which demonstrate the work you have put in), and the participation in discussion with me. ACADEMIC STANDARDS: Plagiarism and cheating of any kind will result in failure. Plagiarism is presenting ANY materials or ideas composed by anyone else as if they were your own. You are plagiarizing when -- 1) you "borrow" an idea, turn of phrase or passage from your suite-mate's paper because "she just says it much better than I can"; 2) you "copy some sentences" from a website because "this is just what I was thinking anyway"; 3) you "summarize some ideas" from this terrific article or book you read "because they really fit in with what I'm trying to say in this paper I'm writing now." We use the online service [Link] to screen student papers for plagiarism.
LCS 151 Syllabus 6
WRITING CENTER VISITS: To receive full credit for any assignment, you are required to visit the Writing Center at least once for each short and long paper you write for LCS 151 this semester. You may go to the Writing Center at any stage of the writing process, from brainstorming, to final polishing, and any time in between. Be sure to schedule an appointment promptly after each paper is assigned. Schedule an appointment by calling 232-6567, or by stopping in the Writing Center. At our second set of individual conferences, you may discuss with me whether you feel it is necessary to continue the mandatory Writing Center visit policy. REVISIONS: You may revise your writing assignments that are turned in on time. If you choose to do so, you will receive the average of the grades for the original paper and the revision. Revision deadlines will be set on an individual basis. For any revision submitted, you are required to turn in a hard copy of the Revision Post-Write form, which can be downloaded and printed from Blackboard. LAPTOPS AND OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES: Open laptops and hand held devices are not permitted in class. You may bring them, but you must keep them closed. Three instances of using such a device without permission will count as one absence. STAYING INFORMED AND KEEPING IN TOUCH: In addition to being handed out in class, the syllabus, assignments, and other course materials will be posted on Blackboard. If you miss something in class, mislay your syllabus, or simply get confused about deadlines, this is the place to go. From time to time you may have concerns about your progress in the class or may feel you are not getting it. It is your responsibility to come to me for help. You may see me during my office hours. I am always interested in your questions, your challenges, and your progress!
LCS 151 Syllabus 7
LCS 151 Grade Tracking Sheet Name: __________________________________
Due dates of assignments subject to change
UDHR and Reisch Quiz HW, Discussion,Class Activities Short Paper #1 10 points 10 points 50 points
9/7 through 9/14 Due 9/21
Tracy Kidder, Mountains Beyond Mountains Quiz HW, Discussion,Class Activities 9/16 through 9/28
10 points 10 points
5 Page Paper #1: UDHR, Reisch, and Kidder Conference Product/Partic. 9/30 through 10/5 5 Page Paper #1 Due 10/12
10 points 200 points
deBeauvoir, The Second Sex Quiz HW, Discussion,Class Activities
10/7 and 10/12
10 points 10 points
Ian Haney-Lopez, Racism On Trial Quiz HW, Discussion,Class Activities 10/14 through 10/21 Short Paper #2 Due 10/28
10 points 10 points 50 points
Moises Kaufman, The Laramie Project Quiz HW, Discussion,Class Activities 10/21 through 10/28
10 points 10 points
5 Page Paper #2: deBeauvoir, Lopez, and Kaufman Conference Product/Partic. 11/4 through 11/7 5 Page Paper #2 Due 11/14
10 points 200 points
Chirot and McCauley, Why Not Kill Them All? Quiz HW, Discussion,Class Activities 11/9 through 11/16 Short Paper #3 Due 11/28
10 points 10 points 50 points
LCS 151 Syllabus 8
Gourevitch, The Life After Quiz HW, Discussion,Class Activities
11/18 and 11/21
10 points 10 points
el Saadawi, Woman At Point Zero Quiz HW, Discussion,Class Activities 11/28 and 11/30
10 points 10 points
Black Gold (film) Quiz HW, Discussion,Class Activities
12/2 through 12/7
10 points 10 points
Final Exam Final Exam
TBA
200 points
Research Journal RJ Written Product In Class Presentation of RJ Attend Library Training
Varies Varies 9/11 through 9/23
35 points 10 points 5 points
Extra Credit Calendar Attend Social Justice Event
9/9 Varies
5 points max. 10 points
OTHER NOTES: