Civil Rights Study – Syllabus

#1 –Grades for this assignment will substitute the ongoing scholarship search study being made by American students in the class.  Class time provided to scholarship study will be available as well to Helmi from Finland and Nathalie from Germany.

#2 – The most significant goal of this study is for Helmi and Nathalie to leave the United States with an extensive and keen insight into the American Civil Rights movement.  We hope to accomplish this by using three mediums of study.

#3 – A third situation has made its self available regarding this study; by using Google-docs this assignment has been opened up for extra credit to all of Mr. Wood’s students.

Supplemental Materials for Independent study:

1 – “Let the Trumpet Sound”by Stephen B. Oates will be assigned reading.  Mr. Wood will provide weekly (or bi-weekly) reading assignments for discussion at noted times.

2 – Video Documentary Series – “Eyes on the Prize”– this is the foremost video study on the American Civil Rights movement.  The first six episodes deal with events during the life of Martin Luther King Jr.  We will watch and discuss each of these movies.  They will be assigned to watch in collaboration with text readings.  Makes sure you watch the movies by assigned dates.

3 – Great Speeches of Martin Luther King Jr. – Students have access to ten full speeches of Dr. King.  Each features an accompanying introduction by pivotal individual in the movement.  Speeches will be assigned for supplemental research at appropriate times in the study.  If you would like a copy of the speeches bring in a flash drive I will get you a copy.

4 – Songs of the Civil Rights Era – I have a compilation of songs of the Civil Rights movement. it is very inspirational.  If you would like a copy let me know.

Method of Grading

30 point discussions – Mr. Wood, Helmi, and Nathalie (along with Mr. Wood and Jessica Carrier) will join in a round table discussion of the Google docs topics.  These topics will be announced at least a week in advance of the scheduled discussions and will consist of a handful of directed issues for reading – normally five.   Anybody may come to these round tables….if you’re doing the Independent Study for extra credit and you have a first hour teacher that allows you to drop by on the designated day, you are welcomed to join us.  Nathalie and Helmi will be graded on a thirty point assignment as to their preparation and their participation in the discussions.  This grade will be assessed in lieu of the scholarship assignments done by other SCI students.

Jessica, Helmi and Nathalie, are expected to dedicate a portion of their SCI binder to typed answers to the designated questions.  Get organized!

30 point Google Docs blogs – Occasionally, instead of discussion points, Mr. Wood, Helmi, and Nathalie will participate with all extra credit students, in an on-line Google docs posts.  Parameters for time and topics will be announced as needed.

Extra Credit Guidelines – we have determined that extra credit for this assignment will consist of participating students earning 20% to be divided up at the end of each of the three marking periods at their discretion.  

EVERYBODY who is working on the Independent Study for extra credit, must answer the Google Docs questions posted on this site, by the due date.  The list will consist of three questions offered up by Mr. Wood.

Word counts for the answers is undetermined at the start of this study.  We will see exactly how things go before providing such guidelines.  Once we all have books and have gotten through a couple of assignments we will take a look at what is sufficient length for answers.  At that time we will also determine as a group…maybe online – just how much extra credit this whole thing will be worth.  So hang in there.  Stick to the deadlines.  Join us.