Black Males in the City Fall 2023

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Temple University *

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1177

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Geography

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Oct 30, 2023

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Black Males in the City Urban Affairs 1177.702 Course Syllabus Temple University - Geography and Urban Studies Fall 2023 Instructor: Walter R. Gholson, III, Ed.D. Email: gholson@temple.edu Office Location: Gladfelter Hall Room 853 Office Phone: 215-204-1080 Office Hours: By Appointment Department Phone: 215-204-7692 (leave messages with department staff) Class Time: Tuesday - 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Location: Online-Zoom COURSE OVERVIEW Description This course examines contemporary issues that Black males face living in inner cities across the United States. Specifically, the course focuses on how urban policies shape the life experiences and outcomes of Black boys and men. Topics covered include family, health, education, law enforcement, and cultural institutions. Using Philadelphia as a “learning laboratory,” students will develop a critical understanding of how various urban institutions, along with urban policies and priorities, help and/or harm the life outcomes of Black boys and men. The course will require students to write papers in response to articles, videos and guest speakers relevant to the issues or problems discussed during this course. Course Objectives This course is designed to acquaint students with the myriad of issues that Black men and boys face living in U.S. inner cities. There is a strong emphasis on understanding how urban policies shape the life experiences of Black men and boys. Students will leave this course with an understanding of the key issues that our society must address to improve the opportunities, quality of life, and life outcomes of Black men and boys. Course objectives are as follows: 1. Students will understand how Black men compare with other groups on quality-of-life indicators (education, employment, health) 2. Students will understand the unique challenges that Black men face in U.S. society from the Black male perspective. 3. Students will attain basic knowledge of how urban policies (and policy interactions) impact Black males’ life outcomes. 4. Students will understand policy options for improving the quality of life and outcomes for Black males. Required readings. The instructor will assign all reading materials.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS Contributions to a Safe Space The content and structure of this course tends to facilitate discussions about cultural and racial identities, personal beliefs, political positions, and ideologies. These discussions will engender enthusiastic dialogue about serious issues. It is crucial that we all take responsibility for creating a safe environment in which open and respectful dialogue can occur . That respect includes challenging one another while remembering that we all have a unique perspective of the world based on our experience. Being respectful of others is a central requirement of this course. Critical Engagement with the Readings Students are expected to have completed the response papers for each class meeting. Your ability to engage seriously with the assigned materials will be reflected in your final grade. It is important to note that being critically engaged with the readings does not mean that you should necessarily agree with them. Disagreement and critique are encouraged, as they can be instructive. I do ask however, that you be thoughtful about your critiques, and that even when you disagree with main points of a given reading, speaker, or video that you challenge yourself to find what is useful in it. In this course, we will all be teachers and learners throughout the semester. Because of the nature of this course, which is designed to create a context in which trust and honesty are possible, it is vital that each of you are engaged in the course content for each week. GRADING Grades will be updated at least every two weeks. Where appropriate, I will provide additional guidelines, examples, etc, to assist you in preparing for weekly response papers and other assignments. I will provide you with detailed feedback to assist you as you prepare assignments. Your final grade will be calculated based on the following expectations, assignments, and possible points: Expectations and Assignments Total points Attendance 33 Weekly Response Papers 34 Class Participation 33 Total Possible Points 100 Attendance and Missed Work Class attendance is not optional. You are expected to be on time and present for each class. More than one unexcused absence will result in a reduction in the final grade for the course. Excessive tardiness will count as an absence. I will provide students who miss assignments or class for health, religious, or serious personal or family issues, sickness, death in the family, with the opportunity to make up work. If you must miss a class or an assignment, it is your responsibility to notify me before the class or before the date that the assignment is due. Attendance will be taken during each class meeting. Basic Classroom Conduct Students are expected to pay attention to the instructor, fellow classmates, and be active participants in class. You should not engage in conversations or discussions with friends during lectures. Such conduct is disrespectful to me, your classmates, and diminishes the quality of the learning environment. Accordingly, cell phones are to be put on the vibration mode. If your phone rings and it is an emergency, please leave the classroom to answer it. When you enter the classroom, musical devices should be off, and headphones should be off your ears and buds out of your ears. If you require special consideration for any of these expectations, please see me.

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS Extra Credit Extra credit will not be offered in this course. Please do not ask for it. Communications The most suitable means of communicating small matters with me is via email. For longer discussions, please arrange a time for us to meet. Plagiarism Plagiarism is defined as “the unacknowledged use of another person’s means of expression and or work product, whether published or unpublished, without proper use of quotation marks citation and other customary means of identifying the source.” Essentially it means copying the words or ideas of another without the proper form of academic documentation. If you have questions about what constitutes plagiarism, ask me in advance or visit the Temple Writing Center for advice. Disability Statement This course is open to all students who meet the academic requirement for participation. Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss the specific situation as soon as possible. Contact Disability Resources and Services at 215-204-1280 in 100 Ritter Annex to coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with document disabilities. Academic Rights Freedom to teach and freedom to learn are inseparable facets of academic freedom. The University has a policy on Student and Faculty and Academic Rights and Responsibilities (Policy # 03.70.02) which can be accessed through the following link: http://policies.temple.edu/getdoc.asp?policy_no=03.70.02. Disclaimer The syllabus and course schedule are subject to change at the instructor’s discretion and should be used only as a general guide for the course. I will notify the class of any major changes to course content, schedule, or expectations.

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WEEKLY SCHEDULE Each week, we will look at the issues addressed in the readings or from the guest lecturers, videos and consider those issues as they relate to Black Men and Boys, discuss them and consider ways that we can address these issues. Week Assignment_______________________________________ 10-17-23 Course Syllabus and Introductions. Assigned Article 1, The Warmth of Other Suns: The Great Migration, by Isabel Wilkerson. Online Assignment TBA. 10-24-23 Response Paper and Class Discussion on Assigned Article 1. Assigned Article 2, Black Brothers Inc. The Violent Rise and Fall of Philadelphia's Black Mafia. Guest Lecturer, Mr. Wayne Williams. TBA. 10-31-23 Response Paper and Class Discussion on Guest Lecturer Mr. Wayne Williams, Guest Lecturer, Mr. Eber Divine and Mr. Raisse Divine. Online Assignment TBA. 11-7-23 Response Paper and Class Discussion on Guest Lecturer, Mr. Eber Divine and Mr. Raisse Divine. Guest Lecturer, Michael Bracy, JD. Online Assignment TBA. 11-14-23 Response Paper and Class Discussion on Guest Lecturer, Michael G. Bracy J.D. Guest Lecturer, Dyron Corley, Ed.D. Online Assignment TBA 11-21-23 Fall Break 11-28-23 Response Paper and Class Discussion on Guest Lecturer, Dyron Corley Ed.D. Guest Lecturer TBA. Online Assignment TBA. 12-5-31 Class Summary. Class Evaluation

University Requirements and Information Statement on Academic Freedom: “Freedom to teach and freedom to learn are inseparable facets of academic freedom. The University has adopted a policy on Student and Faculty Academic Rights and Responsibilities (Policy #03.70.02) which can be accessed through the following link: http://policies.temple.edu/getdoc.asp? policy_no=03.70.02 .” Disability Policy: Please bear in mind that COVID-19 may result in a need for new or additional accommodations . “This course is open to all students who meet the academic requirements for participation. Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss the specific situation as soon as possible. Contact Disability Resources and Services at 215-204-1280 in Ritter Annex to coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities.” TEMPLE AND COVID-19 Temple University’s motto is Perseverance Conquers, and we will meet the challenges of the COVID pandemic with flexibility and resilience. The university has made plans for multiple eventualities. Working together as a community to deliver a meaningful learning experience Attendance Protocol and Your Health If you feel unwell, you should not come to campus, and you will not be penalized for your absence. Instructors are required to ensure that attendance is recorded for each in-person or synchronous class session. The primary reason for documentation of attendance is to facilitate contact tracing, so that if a student or instructor with whom you have had close contact tests positive for COVID-19, the university can contact you. Recording of attendance will also provide an opportunity for outreach from student services and/or academic support units to support students should they become ill. Faculty and students agree to act in good faith and work with mutual flexibility. The expectation is that students will be honest in representing class attendance. Technology Specifications for this Course Limited resources are available for students who do not have the technology they need for class. Students with educational technology needs, including no computer or camera or insufficient WiFi-access, should submit a request outlining their needs using the Student Emergency Fund Form. The University will endeavor to meet needs, such as with a long-term loan of a laptop or WiFi device, a refurbished computer, or subsidized internet access. Remote Proctoring Statement Zoom, Proctorio or a similar proctoring tool may be used to proctor exams and quizzes in this course. These tools verify your identity and record online actions and surroundings. It is your responsibility to have the necessary government or school issued ID, a laptop or desktop computer with a reliable internet connection, the Google Chrome and Proctorio extension, a webcam/built-in camera and microphone, and system requirements for using Proctorio, Zoom, or a similar proctoring tool. Expectations for Class Conduct To maintain a safe and focused learning environment, we must all comply with the four public health pillars: wearing face coverings, maintaining physical distancing, washing our hands, and monitoring our health.

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