WARNING
Always scroll the entire page every time you arrive on this page, to make sure that you do not miss anything.
YOUR FAILURE TO VISIT THIS PAGE REGULARLY MAY CAUSE YOU MUCH GRIEF!
CLASS HOME PAGE FOR ONLINE AAS 253 FALL 2020 CLASS




IMPORTANT LINKS
ANNOUNCEMENTS
 are in reverse chronological order--You should go through all announcements since your last visit, as simple common sense would suggest! NOTE: excuses such as "I did not know this was available via the class homepage," or "I did not have time to go to the class home page," and so on, will not be tolerated. In this class, intellectual laziness has its price: a poor grade.
 

[[]] Materials for Class Assignments 

[[]] Class Films List

[[]] Course Assignments Schedule

[[]] Video File Issues

[[]] Syllabus

[[]] Learning Outcomes

[[]] Test Scores

[[]] Test/Quiz Rules

[[]] Course Clarifications for Online Courses

[[]] Racism/Ethnicism: An Overview

[[]] Academic Honesty--School Policy 

[[]] Educational Success Packet 
[[]] Grades Do Matter

[[]] U.B. Student Calendar

[[]] U.B. Undergraduate Catalog

[[]] Making America Great: A Timeline

[[]] Institutional versus Interpersonal Racism   
 
[[]] Term Paper Project Instructions 

[[]] Income Inequality

[[]] Extra-Credit/Make-Ups Instructions


 






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SCROLL DOWN THE PAGE TO THE END to see all the announcements you have missed.
Man, do I really have to tell you this?
ANNOUNCEMENT NO. 11
  Posted 12/28/2020            

People, your final test scores have now been posted via the link on the left. Note: your course grades are available via the HUB portal.
Good bye.

ANNOUNCEMENT NO. 10
  Posted 12/9/2020 [UPDATED: 12/11/2020; 12/13/2020]            

Folks, please go through this announcement super carefully:

1) Ignore your test scores on Blackboard; instead, look up your scores via the link on the left.
2) Final course grades will not be available until the end of this month.
3) You can calculate your grade yourself by using the formula on the main test scores page (which reflects what is stated in the syllabus).
4) As per course syllabus, there are no incompletes in this course.
5) Text of the e-mail I sent you today is here.
6) To those of you who did not vote: someone still got elected and your life will be impacted as a result in one way or another. To those of you who voted for Trump, get over it. It's over for now; your chance will come again in four years time when he runs for a second time. To those of you who voted for Biden, a celebration is premature. Biden's presidency is going to be a lame-duck presidency (unless you vote again in Congressional elections in two years' time--2022--and help to win enough Senate seats to tilt the balance in Biden's favor). The Senate is still in Republican hands, which means there is very little meaningful that the Biden presidency will achieve (it is going to be a replay of what happened during the Obama presidency). Plus don't forget Trump, who will still control the Senate, like the way a puppeteer does, from his palace in Florida.
7) Instructions for extra-credit and make-ups are available via the link on the left. Please make sure you go through them super-carefully.

UPDATE (12/11/2020):
8) Folks, the Extra-Credit/Make-Up Test No. 1 has been available since yesterday. It will be available until December 22 (2020) 11:45 pm. Reminder: ignore the scores on UBLearns; instead, check your test scores via this page.
9) Test 8 scores have now been posted.

UPDATE (12/13/2020):
10) Folks, all Make-Up/Extra-Credit Tests are now available. They will be available until December 22 (2020) 11:45 pm. To help you plan, find out how many questions each test has. WARNING: Please do not wait until the last minute to do the tests.  Reminder: ignore the scores on UBLearns; instead, check your test scores via your class home page at elegantbrain.com
Question: How many teachers would give you an opportunity like this one to improve your grade. Please show your gratitude by doing well on them, so you can improve your GPA.
ANNOUNCEMENT NO. 9
  Posted 11/30/2020 [UPDATED: 12/1/2020; 12/7/2020]

People, please go throug

People, please go through this announcement super carefully:
(1) Test No. 7 is now available. It will be available until 11:45 pm tonight.
[UPDATES (12/1/2020):
(2) Test 8 will be available across two days--from the scheduled day to the following day. (Reminder: Test 8 will also cover item on the left titled "Institutional versus Interpersonal Racism.")
(3) Final Test 6 and Test 7 scores are now available. ]
[UPDATES (12/7/2020):
(4) Test 8 is available. It will be available until tomorrow Tuesday (12/8) 11:45 pm. Reminder: as indicated umpteen times, ignore the scores on UBLearns; instead check your test scores via this page--link in the left column.
(5) Instructions concerning make-ups and extra-credit will be posted on Wednesday on this page.]
.

ANNOUNCEMENT NO. 8
  Posted 11/19/2020 [UPDATED: 11/23/2020]

Guys, please go through this announcement super carefully:
(1) Your final adjusted test scores (which are different from your Blackboard scores) for Test 5 are now available via the link in the left margin.
(2) Test 6 is coming up really soon. See update in the next announcement below. NOTE: Reading RG-32 is available in Packet 2 and Packet 3, and here.
(3) Instructions for the optional Term Paper Project are in the left margin. Failure to follow the instructions will carry a heavy penalty. (See also item no. 5 in Announcement No. 6 below.)
(4) Study the slide image above.
UPDATE: Test 6 is now available.

ANNOUNCEMENT NO. 7
  Posted 11/11/2020 [UPDATED: 11/18/2020]

People, please go through this announcement super carefully:
(1) Some of you did not sit for Test 5 for various reasons (legitimate, as well as non-legitimate). Since this test counts for 20% of your grade, I will be posting tomorrow a make-up for this test for ANYONE who wishes to take it--including those who have already taken it.
(2) Yes, anyone, including those who already took it, can re-take the test. However, a reminder, the questions will not necessarily be the same as those on the previous test.
(3) Question: Is this test open-book? See the Course Clarifications Page --link in the left column.
(4) To those who still want to do the term paper, please read ALL the instructions in the next announcement below. You will notice that you still have to do Test 5 because the score for test 5 will be averaged in with your score for the term paper. (When you study for Test 5, you will understand why.)
(5) Given my other school-related commitments, as well as the fact that I am teaching a large number of students this semester with no TA help, this is a lot of extra work for me. (I am really getting tired of all kinds of weak excuses I have been getting from some of you.)
(6) Reminder: e-mail days, as per syllabus, are Mondays and Thursdays--how come some of you still do not know this? Additionally, if you want a response to your e-mails make sure it is in the format indicated in the syllabus.
(7) This test will be called "Test 5-Make-up." It will be available from tomorrow morning (Thursday November 12) at 7:00 am until  Friday (November 13) at 11:45 pm. (I am being really generous here--so please, no more excuses.)
(8) Question: Will there be an opportunity for extra-credit work? Short answer is, yes. For the long answer, see the Course Clarifications page.
(9) Reminder: as the syllabus states, there are no incompletes in this course. The last day to resign from this course is this Friday (November 13).
(10) Do you know when Test 6 will take place, and what it will cover?  [UPDATE: Test 6, as per e-mail sent to you, has been postponed to Monday, November 23 (7:00 am to 11:45 pm) to give you more time to study the assigned material.]
(11) Many of you are getting test scores ranging from B's to A's and above (see scores via the link in the left column). How come the rest of you are not doing well?
ANNOUNCEMENT NO. 6
  Posted 10/29/2020 [UPDATED 11/9/2020]

Folks, please go through this announcement super carefully:
(1) Your final adjusted test scores (which are different from your Blackboard scores) for Test 4 are now available via the link in the left margin.
(2) Do NOT send me e-mails that are not in the format specified in the syllabus; you may not get a response. <--Read this sentence again. Reminder, as per syllabus: e-mail days are Mondays and Thursdays.
(3) As per course syllabus, incompletes will not be available in this course. If you need to resign this class, then the deadline is available via the school's student calendar. Link in the left margin.
(4) Those of you who have been doing the homework as directed appear to be doing well, judging by the many B's to A's on the tests. For those who have poor scores: can you still pass this course or is it too late? No, it is not too late, PROVIDED you have the time and willingness to work really hard on the remaining tests--including Test 5 which is worth 20% of your final grade. See next point.
(5) About the term paper:
(a) Test 5 is a substitute for the term paper (you will see why when you do the homework for test 5). Test 5 is not optional, and you must do ALL assigned homework for Test 5. Everyone must do the test.
(b) The term paper is now optional (obviously). However, if--repeat IF-- you would still like to write a 12-page paper (excluding cover page and reference page), then you are welcome to do so. However, please note:
(i) You must still do Test 5, the scores of which will be averaged in with your paper.
(ii) To make sure that you do not cheat by getting someone else to write it for you (yes, this has happened), you will, in addition, have to sit for a special test on the 15 required cited references in your paper. Your paper will have to conform, obviously, to the Research/Term paper writing guide that Test 5 covers.
(iii) I will assign you the topic.
(iv) Send me an e-mail if you want to do the paper.
(c) Test date for Test 5, and what it will cover: see the Course Assignments Schedule--link in the left margin. Time of test: see announcement no. 4 below. [UPDATE: Test 5 is now available on Blackboard.]
(6) About incompletes in this course: see item no. 6 in Announcement No. 5 below.
(7) Study these (downloadable) slide images.
Study these slide images by clicking on them.
ANNOUNCEMENT NO. 5
  Posted 10/15/2020 [UPDATE: 10/28/2020]

People, please note:
(1) Your final test scores (which are different from your Blackboard scores) are now available via the link in the left margin
(2) I am getting too many claims about failing to complete tests because of some supposed glitch on Blackboard (from mainly students who did not do their homework, or tried to do it at last minute). I am suspicious. Be that as it may, please go through Course Clarifications page regarding this issue and the steps that must be taken.
(3) If you are not doing well in this course see the Course Clarifications page for pointers.
(4) Do NOT send e-mails that are not in the format specified in the syllabus; you may not get a response.
(5) Test 4 date and what it will cover: see the Course Assignments Schedule--link in the left margin. Time of test: see next announcement below. [UPDATE: Test is now available on Blackboard]
(6) As per course syllabus, incompletes will not be available in this course. If you need to resign this class, then the deadline is available via the school's student calendar. Link in the left margin.
(7) Study these (downloadable) slide images.
Study these slide images by clicking on them.

ANNOUNCEMENT NO. 4
  Posted 10/2/2020 [UPDATED: 10/14/2020]

Folks: Please note:

(1) Your FINAL scores for Test 2 are available via the update of the test scores page (link in the left column).
(2) Test 3--see Announcement No. 3 below--will be available from 7:00 am (yes, this is a slight change) to 11:45 pm on the date specified in the Course Assignments Schedule (link in the left column). [UPDATE: Test 3 is now available on Blackboard. Do you know when Test 4 is coming up? Check the Class Assignment Schedule. Reminder all FINAL scores for each test you take will be posted via the link in the left margin. The score you get  on Blackboard after completing a test is only your preliminary score.]
(3) From now on tests will always be available from 7:00 am to 11:45 pm on the days the tests are scheduled, unless for an unexpected reason a change to the time/date is necessary, in which case an update announcement will be posted on this page.
(4) Study the (downloadable) slide images below.
(5) Please go through the academic honesty page (link in the left column).
(6) Homework for Weeks 7 and 8 and Test date: See the Course Assignments Schedule.
(7) FYI: UB's Alternative Break Programs--registration deadline extended to October 15.
(8) To those of you who did the homework in relation to the film The 13th and remember the scene of those two African American soldiers talking to President Abraham Lincoln, where one of them hopes for the right to vote in about a hundred years; well it's been about 160 years since, and we have a historic first: a vice-presidential debate this evening--available live via YouTube--between an extreme right wing conservative white male and a liberal woman of African American/South Asian descent. Things do change; but not at the speed you would like (especially when you don't practice civic engagement). Note that this debate, at the sub-textual level, will involve issues of race, gender, and ideology.
Study these slide images by clicking on them.

ANNOUNCEMENT NO. 3
  Posted 9/23/2020 (UPDATE: 10/1/2020)

Guys: Please note:

(1) Your FINAL scores for Test 1 (both parts) are now available via the link in the left column. (You will notice that your scores have improved a little.) If you did both parts of the test, and you did poorly, then note: compared to your other classes, this is a super easy class. However, not doing your homework at all in this class, OR doing it at the last minute is just not a good idea; you have been warned about this quite a few times now. Moreover, the amount of work you are being assigned in this class PER WEEK is relatively little; but if you wait to do it until the last minute you will find that it is too much. You will be overwhelmed!

(2) Those of you who did the homework on Simple Justice, will now know that the US Supreme Court is one of the most important federal institutions. For example, in addition to the decision on segregated schooling, it has issued decisions effecting the entire country on such matters as Jim Crow, women's rights, worker's rights, capital punishment, access to health care, legal representation in court cases for the indigent, and so on, and so on. Justices are appointed to the Court for life--repeat, for life--and the person who nominates the justices is the President. A conservative president will nominate conservative justices, while a progressive president will nominate progressive justices. In other words, voting matters. (Protesting in the streets is only the first step.)  Here is the link on how to vote in NY state in the upcoming presidential elections, if you are eligible: https://www.elections.ny.gov/
You can also become a poll worker (yes you get paid). For more information, click here.

(3) Go through the links in the left margin, if you have not already done so.

(4) Homework for weeks 5 and 6 and Test 3: See the Course Assignments Schedule (link in the left margin of this page).
(5) Some of you (not all) are not doing the homework as directed. This is not good. How do I know this? Because, as the rules for quiz/tests exams tells you, I can access statistics that tell me who is downloading the films, when they downloaded them; who is streaming, when they streamed, how often they streamed, and who didn't do the homework at all. Warning: Regardless of which race you believe you belong to, please do NOT racialize the epistemology on which this course rests. What does this mean in practice? The view that since this course deals with knowledge about black people it is not important enough to require diligence. <-- What does this word mean?

(6) Test 2 is coming up next week: see the Course Assignments Schedule (or the next announcement below). Note: Because the tests are online, when studying assigned homework, do not prioritize information that you can easily look up on the internet (for very obvious reasons). Tests will be constructed with this point in mind. Additionally, tests are constructed on the basis of the "lazy student student rule." (See the Rules for Quizzes/Tests/Exams.)
[UPDATE: Test will begin at 11:45 am and end at 11:45 pm. Note: As has been the case with previous tests, tests will always begin at 11:45 am and end at 11:45 pm on the days the tests are scheduled (see the course schedule), unless for an unexpected reason a change to the time/date is necessary, in which case an update announcement will be posted on this page.]


(7) Before you send me any e-mail, always check the Course Clarifications page first. (See link in the left margin). Two specific days per week have been designated as e-mail days. Please see the syllabus as to which days they are.

(8) For a small number of you, after downloading a file, it may not play on your particular machine because of the file format (HEVC encoded). For solutions click here.  
Study these slide images by clicking on them.

ANNOUNCEMENT NO. 2
  Posted 9/7/2020 (Updated 9/10/2020; 9/17/2020)

People, Folks, Guys: Please note:
(1) Test no. 1 is coming up next Thursday (see Item no. 4 in Announcement No. 1, below).
(a) Please carefully go through the rules/procedure for the test that are available here. <--Super important!
(b) Test 1 will be in two parts; the first part will be on Thursday, and the second part will be the following Monday (Sept. 21). Both parts cover homework for weeks 1 and 2 only.
(c) You will have 12 hours within which to do the test: It will be available from 11:45 am to 11:45 pm. This will be the standard procedure for all tests, unless something unexpected comes up (in which case there will be an update on this page).
(d) Test (both parts) will be multiple-choice (see rules/procedure via the link above).
(e) If you did not do the homework as instructed (downloading, and then viewing/studying the films at least twice with absolutely no distractions), the test will not be easy--in fact, you will fail. Consider, for example, if a question asks you which one scene, among four options given to you, is not in the film, how are you going to know the correct answer if you never viewed the film at all, or you viewed the film while texting?
(f) How many questions will both parts have? Can not determine right now--as I am still working on the test. :)
(g) As per announcement on Blackboard at the beginning of the semester, all test/quizzes will be available on Blackboard. (Everything else, including your final scores for all tests/quizzes must be accessed via this page). Question: What is Blackboard?
(2) Always, always, always download the homework right away because sometimes you may not be able to access the material when you need it, especially if too many people are trying to get to it at the last minute! (Reminder: I am teaching about 180 students across both my classes together!)

(3) Homework for Week Three, beginning September 14, DOWNLOAD, and view/study twice (without any kind of distractions) these three items:

(i) Film: The 13th (class version)--available via a link on the page here.
(ii) Film: Hidden Figures---available via the same page. 
(iii) The Film Composer (reading) 

(4) Homework for Week Four, beginning September 21, DOWNLOAD, and view/study twice (without any kind of distractions) these three items: 
(i) Film: Rosewood (class version)--available via a link on the page here.
(ii) Film: La Haine (class version)--available via the same page.
(iii) Birth of Feature Film (short video)

(5) For a small number of you, after downloading a file, it may not play on your particular machine because of the file format (HEVC encoded). For solutions click here.

(6) Test No. 2: date: Thursday, October 1 (covers homework for weeks 3 and 4 only) 

(7) Go through Announcement no. 1 again, below.

[UPDATE 1: See 5 above.]
[UPDATE 2: Test 1, Part 2 is now available on Blackboard (UB Learns).]

Study these slide images by clicking on them.


ANNOUNCEMENT NO. 1
  Posted 8/31/2020  (updated 9/4/2020)

People, Folks, Guys: 

Welcome to your class home page, which you are required to visit regularly (at least once a week). From this page you will be able to access everything related to this class, except tests/quizzes (which you will take on Blackboard--aka UBLearns). Please go through the following announcements carefully:
1) This page will be redesigned slightly in the next few days.
2) The class schedule will be available soon (via this page); in the mean time, please do the following homework:
(a) For this week (Week One, beginning August 31), DOWNLOAD, and view and study (without any kind of distractions) these three items:

(i) Film: Fruitvale Station
(ii) Film: Hate U Give
(iii) Film is Magic (short video) 

Yes, this is the only homework for this week. If you want more, send me an e-mail. :)


(b) For next week (Week Two, beginning September 7) DOWNLOAD, and view and study (without any kind of distractions) these three items:

(i) Film: Something the Lord 
(ii) Film: Simple Justice
(iii) Stages of Filmmaking (short reading)

Yes, this is the only homework for this week. If you want more, send me an e-mail. :)

3) For a small number of you, after downloading your file, it may not play on your particular machine because of the file format (HEVC encoded). For solutions click here.

4) The first Test will be on Thursday, September 17. Additional instructions about the test will be posted as part of an announcement on this page.

5) The course syllabus is available here. Please go through it carefully.








 
Miscellaneous Info (may or may not be relevant)



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Guys: If anybody knows the answer to the following question posed by the Dilbert Cartoonist, Scott Adams, let me know: "If there are no stupid questions, then what kind of questions do stupid people ask? Do they get smart just in time to ask questions?"


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