race 2016
Race and Sports in American Society
The University of Toledo
College of Arts and Letters
Africana Studies
AFST 4980
Spring 2022
August 29, 2022 – December 16, 2022
Section 902
3 credit hours
Instructors: Jimmie Jones and Tiffiny Jones
Drop-in Hours: By appointment
Email: jimmie.jones2@rockets.utoledo.edu
tiffiny.jones@utoledo.edu
Term: Fall 2022
Location/Time: Online
Course Website: Blackboard Learn
A NOTE ABOUT RECENT EVENTS: Recently, we have experienced both the emergence of the global COVID-19 pandemic and painful and unfortunate consequences of long-endured violence against the Black community in the United States. These events have caused, and continue to cause, fear, stress, and pain for many members of our community, and will continue to impact each of us throughout this term. Under these circumstances, it is completely normal to feel overwhelmed or anxious, and to have difficulty concentrating. I have designed this course with these challenges in mind. I assure you that I am committed to continuing to work with all of you to create a positive and supportive learning environment. If your health, well-being, or schoolwork are being impacted by recent events, I encourage you to make use of the resources the University provides. These resources are included in this syllabus.
COURSE/CATALOG DESCRIPTION
This course examines the prevalence, history, experiences, and relationships between race and sports in American Society. The historical, cultural, social, economic, and political dynamics of race and sports will be addressed.
COURSE OVERVIEW
Race and Sports in American Society introduces students to the wide-reaching system of sports that control American Society. This course provides a history of sports in America and covers contemporary issues in sports today. Sports in the United States has affected and continues to affect the lives of millions of people. Sports in the United States hold significant economic and political power. The intersection of sports in media, culture, race, public health, capitalism, sexuality, education, law and many other systems, creates long-term ripple effects on identity and perspectives. In this course, students will examine historical and personal accounts of the African American experience in American sports and how these experiences have shaped the current climate surrounding American athletics.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Analyze the political structures surrounding race and sports in America.
Evaluate historical accounts of race and sports in America.
Examine contemporary issues of race and sport in America.
Analyze the globalization of (American) sports.
Formulate a knowledge product that addresses a current issue in sports.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Identify key historical events in American sports.
Analyze race related issues throughout American sport history.
Examine the social impacts of African American in sports.
Identify ways in which American sports perpetuated racism and sexism.
Illustrate theoretical concepts in American Sports
Assess theme-based sports in American history
Demonstrate clear and effective professional expression of thoughts and ideas.
TEACHING STRATEGIES
This online course is designed to stimulate student learning through the web-based delivery ofreadings, video, and audio, as well as collaborative activities involving asynchronous discussion andprojects. No on-campus meetings will be required.
Prerequisite: Introduction to Africana Studies (AFST 1100)
REQUIRED TEXTS AND MATERIALS
Required Readings:
Rhoden, W. C. (2010). Forty million dollar slaves: The rise, fall, and redemption of the Black athlete. Crown: New York
Required Films:
Journey of the African American Athlete (1996)
Race (2016)
Unforgiveable Blackness: Th Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson (2004)
Colin in Black and White: Netflix Series (2021)
Readings will be provided via Blackboard each week.
For the Book Review Assignment, Students will choose one book that relates to Black health or from the list of Books provided in Blackboard.
TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS
Browser Check Page
Students need to have access to a properly functioning computer throughout the semester. The Browser Check Page will enable us to perform a systems check on our browser, and to ensure that our browser settings are compatible with Blackboard, the learning management system that hosts this course.
Software
Student computers need to be capable of running the latest versions of plug-ins, recent software and have the necessary tools to be kept free of viruses and spyware. The computer needs to run the following software, available in the UT Online Download Center.
Word Processing Software
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Java Plugin Console
Adobe Flash Player
Adobe Shockwave Player
Google Chrome Browser - Recommended
Internet Service
High-speed Internet access is recommended, as dial-up may be slow and limited in downloading information.
Use of Public Computers
If using a public library or other public access computer, please check to ensure that you will have access for the length of time required to complete weekly tasks. A list and schedule for on-campus computer labs is available on the Open Lab for Students webpage.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
If you are having technical difficulties and need assistance with your Blackboard course, please visit The University of Toledo’s Help Desk website: http://www.utoledo.edu/it/cs/HelpDesk.html or call 419.530.8835.
In conjunction with The University’s commitment to ensuring equal access to all technology-based information, this course contains technologies that learners can use regardless of age, ability or situation. The course’s platform, Blackboard Learn, is a certified web-accessible platform, satisfying Level AA conformance criteria of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0). External sites used in the course are compliant with Section 508 standards, and the media players used in the course support closed captioning, are keyboard operable, and compatible with screen reading software.
If any accommodations, beyond what is provided, are needed for equal access to any of this course content, please contact the me as soon as possible. The University of Toledo's Office of Student Disability Services processes closed captioning requests for videos and other media from me, which may take up to four (4) business days to complete.
LEARNER SUPPORT
The University of Toledo offers a wide range of academic and student support services that can help you succeed:
The Writing Center
The Writing Center can assist student through the writing process (planning, drafting, revising and editing) as well as formatting and citation. The Writing Center is located in The Carlson Lib
