●Attendance
It is to your benefit to come to class regularly. You are allowed only two absences with no questions asked. If after two absences you will miss class due to college approved extracurricular activities you should bring copies of a form, signed by the official sponsor of the activity (e.g., coach) noting the dates that you will be absent. If you miss class due to a family emergency, illness, mandated court appearances and the like submit a written explanation of your absence or contact The Office of Student Affairs (Lighty 360, 335-4531). You may also contact the instructor prior to your absence to get approval.
● Class Participation: (10%)
Your participation is important. I expect you to contribute to class discussions and participate actively in group discussions and activities. In terms of participation it is important that you write down your thoughts and questions to improve the quality of your contribution to discussions. I expect every student to show respect for others' opinions and perspectives and hope to engage each other in a productive dialogue, choosing to agree to disagree when necessary.
· Roots Paper (40%) [See Roots Paper Webpage]
Students will write a 12-15 page paper discussing your own family’s ethnic roots. Trace your maternal and/or paternal forbears’ immigrant experience. Paper should use primary sources including personal interviews, photographs, letters, newspapers and other first-hand accounts. Discuss their lives before and during migration, what happened after they settled in a foreign land, and how they reformulated personal and group ethnic identities over time. Each paper is required to incorporate themes, concepts, and topics from the course readings. Move beyond description and discuss what you can learn about your ancestors' changing relations to American society. If it seems appropriate, discuss the influence ethnicity has had on your own life. If you are a first generation immigrant, please focus these questions on your own experience and write a first-person Roots paper. If you are adopted you may choose to write on your adoptive parents or another immigrant family.
· Take Home Examinations (50%)
Each student must complete a midterm (25%) and final exam (25%) to pass the course. All exams will be take home essay exams with short essay questions. There will be no substitute work, alternate exam dates, or make-up exams without documented illness or emergency. Take home essay quetions will be posted on this webpage.
Special Notes:
* The instructor reserves the right to modify and make any changes to the syllabus during the semester.
*Academic Dishonesty includes cheating, plagiarism, and fabrication in the process of completing academic work. If caught students we be punished according to university guidelines: WAC 504-25-015.
*Students with Disabilities: I am committed to providing assistance to help you be successful in this course. Reasonable accommodations are available for students with a documented disability. Please go to the Disability Resource Center (DRC) during the first two weeks of every semester to seek information or to qualify for accommodations. All accommodations MUST be approved through the DRC, located in the Administration Annex Bldg, Room 205. To make an appointment with a disability counselor, please call 335-3417.
* Cellular Phones and other Communication Devices: Please turn off your cell phones, laptop computers, and other communication devices (i.e. blackberries) before coming to class