COM 540/SEMINAR IN RACE DISCOURSE
SPRING 2001/WEDS. 6-8:45P.M.-ROOM 314-SHEPHERD BUILDING
Professor-Dr.
Vanessa Wynder Quainoo
Department
of Communication Studies
Office
#164 Independence Hall/Hours 11a.m.MWF & By App't.
Phone
#401/874-4730/ E-mail-vquainoo12000@yahoo.com
INTRODUCTION
Welcome
to Com 540-A Seminar in Race Discourse!
This course is a kind of lively experiment in the contextualization of
race-that is, how groups reference race.
Whether by notion and/or application, race is a construct that informs
our personal, interpersonal, inter-group and mass group communication. Some of
the questions include, what is the relevance of a race construct to
contemporary notions of progress? What
is the common good and is that a racial entity? And, what of individual visions
of the future-or from whence comes, "diversity",
"multiculturalism"? These and
other questions combine to frame our essential business, race
discourse-understanding the various ways we talk because of and about
race. Perhaps the dilemma of race
discourse is best addressed in a timeless piece in W.E.B. DuBois' classic, Souls of Black Folk, in a chapter titled
"Of the Coming of John". The
story is told about the coming of age of two young boys, both with the name
John. One was European American. One was African American. The travesty of their lives and the
communities in which they lived is summed up in this most compelling
observation:
"Thus in the far-away Southern
village the world lay waiting, half consciously, the coming of two young men,
and dreamed in an inarticulate way of...new thoughts that all would think. And yet it was singular that few thought of
two Johns, for the black folk thought of one John...and the white folk thought of
another John...And neither world thought the other world's thought save with a
vague unrest."
(DuBois, 1982)
It would seem the challenge of communication is
to anticipate the other world's thought and perhaps even to another measure of
success discover some of what DuBois called the "new thoughts". Be assured there is more than enough to
ponder. As a Seminar, I welcome your full participation and encourage active
dialogue through both the spoken and written mediums.
ASSIGNMENTS
1.) Weekly
Focus Paper-Each week cap the pulse of "race talk" in the mass media
for
that week. Perhaps, you will focus on a
newspaper article, T.V. report, a magazine
special feature etc...In other words, what artifact involving race caught
your
attention during the week in question.
Each focus paper should be two or
more
typed pages with title and reference pages.
Please be certain to reference the specific
newspaper, program, article... Ten focus papers throughout semester.
20% of your final grade
Focus
Papers due Jan 31, Feb 7,21,28, Mar 7,21,28, Apr 4, 11, 18
2. Small
Group Project-Along with several other classmates, design a group research
project
to observe discussions about race in a natural setting. Select a specific
population
(high school social studies class, a group of managers at a diversity
training
workshop, volunteers at work at a Church, social agency, or even
a
Church or community center in an urban setting etc...). In accordance with
proper
guidelines, videotape your subjects...explain your experience and findings
in
a 5-page report per group and give an oral report about your project to class.
20% of your final grade
Project due Apr 18th
3. The
Critical Theory Paper- Context two of the critical (rhetorical ) theories discussed in class by analyzing a sample
discourse. This critique should be
fully
referenced and comparative.
30% of your final grade
Paper due April 4th
4. Class
Attendance and Participation is an expectation of the seminar. More
than
two unexcused absences will adversely effect your grade.
10% of your final grade
5. Final
Examination
20%
of your final grade
*Spring Break is Mar 12-18th/No classes
*No Class Apr 25th, I will be attending
the Eastern National Communication Assoc. Conf.