Seminar in African American Psychology 

Psych 188BK, Fall, 2002

Pitzer College

The Claremont Colleges

Professor Halford Fairchild 

(Hfairchild@pitzer.edu or HalFairchild@aol.com)

Office Hours:    Fairchild – 203 Scott Hall.Tu-Th 10:00 – 11:00 and by appointment. X 7-3056

Course Web Page:    http://bernard.pitzer.edu/~hfairchi/courses/

Synopsis and Objectives:This course explores special topics within African American Psychology.For Fall 2002, the emphasis is on philosophical foundations, Black children, and the Black family.Students develop critical reading, writing and oratorical skills.The class is writing intensive as periodic reaction papers, and two book reviews, are required.

Course Meeting Times and Places:The class meets Mondays and Wednesdays, 1:15 – 2:30 P.M. 

Required Texts:

A:Hord & Lee:I am because we are:Readings in Black philosophy.

B:McAdoo:Black Children (2nd Edition)

C:Logan:The Black family:Strengths, Self-Help, and Positive Change(Optional)

D:Fairchild:Selected Readings in Black Psychology

Course Schedule

9/4/02Introductions and Course Overview 

9/9/02What is Black Psychology?Readings: A:pp. 1-20; D:1 (Curriculum Design)

9/11/02White psychology.Readings:A:pp. 21-44; D: 2 

9/16/02Consciousness.Readings:A:pp. 45-64; D: 3.

9/18/02Identity.Readings:A:pp. 65-83; D: 4.

9/23/02Cognition.Readings:A:pp. 84-93; D: 5.

9/25/02Feminism.Readings:A:pp. 94-107; D: 6.

9/30/02Globalism: The Caribbean.Readings:A:pp. 108-135; D: 7.

10/2/02Garveyism.Readings:A:pp. 136-144; D: 8.

10/7/02Caribbean – Classism & Colonialism.Readings:A: pp. 145-171; D: 9

10/9/02Racism and Culture and Black Power.Readings:A: pp. 172-188; D: 10

10/14/02Male/Female Relations.Readings::pp. 189-218; D: 11

10/16/02A Call to Activism.Readings:A:pp. 219-230; D:12

10/21/02FALL BREAK

10/23/02Womanhood.Readings:A:pp. 231-249; D:13

10/28/02Racial Identity.Readings:A:pp. 250-271:D:14.

10/30/02Revolution!Readings:A:pp. 272-295; D:15.

11/4/02Feminism.Readings:A:pp. 296-337; D:16.

11/6/02Afrocentrism and Education.Readings:A:pp. 338-355; D:17.

11/11/02Black philosophy.Readings:A:pp. 356-381;D:18

11/13/02Reviewing I am because we are: Readings in Black philosophy.Book Review Due.

11/18/02Parenting.Readings:B:pp.ix-26; D:19

11/20/02Grandparenting.Readings:B:pp.27-44;D:20.

   November 21:  Speech by Na'im Akbar on Egypt's Enduring Legacies
    Slide Show:  Were the Ancient Egyptians "Black"?
11/25/02Racial Socialization.Readings:B:pp.47-115; D:21

11/27/02THANKSGIVING IS TOMORROW!Library Assignment.(No class.)

12/2/02Education.Readings:B:pp.119-174; D: 22.Library Assignment due.

12/4/02Success vs. conflict.Readings:B:pp.175-219; D:23

12/9/02Reviewing Black Children by H. McAdoo.Book Review Due.

12/11/02Our charge.D:24.

 

Requirements and Grading

·Attendance with discussion notes and participation.Students are required to be in attendance every day, with written notes (based on that day’s readings).Such attendance must include active participation (including active listening).Absences reduce the highest possible grade according to the following table:

No. of Absences Highest possible grade

1 or 2A

3 A-

4B+
5B
6B-

7C+

8C

·Two book reviews.Book reviews should be 500-750 words and written according to the style of book reviews in Contemporary Psychology.Samples will be provided in class.

·One library assignment. An out-of-class library assignment is scheduled for November 27th.Students are to go to the library, find an article in Black psychology that was published in the current year, and write a short (1 or 2 page) review of that article.

·Optional Term Paper.Students may write an optional term paper based on the book, The Black Family:Strengths, self-help, and positive change (edited by Sadye L. Logan).Students electing this option may have “forgiven” one or at most two absences.

Grading:Subjective by the instructor.