Education 229: The Pedagogy and Politcis of Malcolm X

Education 229: The Pedagogy and Politics of Malcolm X

Spring Quarter 2003

Tuesdays, 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Moore Hall, Room 2137

Professor: Peter McLaren

Office: Moore Hall, Room 3022C

Telephone Number: (310) 825-8348

Electronic Mail Address: mclaren@gseis.ucla.edu

Webpage: www.gseis.ucla.edu/faculty/pages/mclaren

Office Hours: By Appointment

Teaching Assistant: Jevon Hunter

Electronic Mail Address: hunterj@ucla.edu

COURSE SYLLABUS

Course Goals

• To discuss and interrogate the life work of Malcolm X, as well as texts about him, as it pertains to education.

• To examine and situate the historical circumstances that may have contributed to the educational development of Malcolm X.

• To explore and analyze possible solutions suggested by Malcolm X or scholars of his work that may affect the current schooling experiences of students in the United States.

Course Structure

Week 1 through Week 8

• Each week students are required to complete the reading assignments due for the following class session.

• Students will prepare a 1 to 2 page summary of the week's reading assignment, identifying an aspect or a concept related to education for class discussion. (Summaries will be typed. Please bring enough copies for everyone. These summaries will not be graded but must be completed in order to receive credit for participation.)

• Students will use their summaries as a way of initiating discussion within the class.

• All students are expected to participate within the class discussion

Week 9 and Week 10

• The final 2 class sessions will comprise of student led seminars. Either in pairs or

alone, students will lead the class in a 30 minute seminar, discussing an issue (or group of issues) from one of the final two readings.

Finals Week: Thursday, June 15^th

• Students will complete a 4 to 5 page paper, discussing an issue or a group of issues

related to Malcolm X and education. (Students must follow standard APA formatting.)

Required Text

Collins, R. P. & Bailey, A. P. (1998). Seventh child: A family memoir of Malcolm X. Secaucus, NJ: Carol Publishing Company.

Dyson, M. E. (1995). Making Malcolm: The myth and meaning of Malcolm X. New York: Oxford University Press.

Perry, T. (Ed.). (1996). Teaching Malcolm X. New York: Routledge.

Wolfenstein, E. V. (1980) The victims of democracy: Malcolm X and the black revolution. Berkeley: University of California Press.

X, Malcolm. (1990). Malcolm X on Afro-American history. New York: Pathfinder Press.

X, Malcolm. (1993). The autobiography of Malcolm X, as told to Alex Haley. New York: Ballantine.

Occasional handouts with the assigned readings

Grading Policy

Grades will be given for each of the following:

A. Class Participation (with summaries and discussion) (50%)

B. Presentation (25%)

C. Final Paper (25%)

ADDITIONAL MATERIALS OF INTEREST

Website

www.brothermalcolm.net -- This website is by far the most comprehensive and best managed of any relating to Malcolm X. On this website, you will find an extensive bibliography, including dissertations, video and audio-recordings, and chat rooms that continue to discuss Malcolm's legacy as a freedom fighter for oppressed people all over the world.

Bibliography

Asante, M. K. (1993). Malcolm X as a cultural hero: And other afrocentric essays. Trenton, NJ: Africa World Press.

Breitman, G. (1967). The last year of Malcolm X: The evolution of a revolutionary. New York: Pathfinder Press.

----- (Ed.). (1989). Malcolm X speaks: Selected speeches and statements. New York: Pathfinder Press.

Clarke, J. H. (1969). Malcolm X: The man and his times. New York: Collier.

Cleage, A. B. & Breitman, G. (1968). Myths about Malcolm X: Two views. New York: Merit Publishers.

Epps. A. (Ed.). (1991). Malcolm X: Speeches at Harvard. New York: Paragon House.

Evanzz, K. (1992). The Judas Factor: The plot to kill Malcolm X. New York: Thunder's Mouth Press.

Goodman, B. (Ed.). (1971). The end of white world supremacy: Four speeches by Malcolm X. New York: Merlin House.

Karim, B. (1992). Remembering Malcolm: The story of Malcolm X from inside the Muslim mosque by his assistant minister, Benjamin Karim. New York: Carroll and Graff.

Kly, Y. N. (Ed.). (1986). The Black Book: The True political philosophy of Malcolm X (El Hajj Malik El Shabazz). Atlanta, GA: Clarity Press.

Marable, M. (1992). Manning Marable on Malcolm X: His message and his meaning. Westfield, NJ: Open Media.

Natambu, K. (2002). Critical lives: The life and work of Malcolm X. Indianapolis, IN: Alpha.

Ovenden, K. (1992). Malcolm X: Socialism and black nationalism. London: Bookmarks.

Perry, B. (1991). Malcolm: The life of a man who changed Black America. Barrytown, NY: Station Hill.

Shabazz, I. (2002). Growing up X. New York: Oneworld/ Ballatine.

T'Shaka, O. (1983). The political legacy of Malcolm X. Chicago: Third World Press.

X, Malcolm. (1970). By any means necessary: Speeches, interviews, and a letter by Malcolm X. New York: Pathfinder Press.

COURSE SCHEDULE

• Week 1, April 1^st:

Distribute and review the course syllabus. Discuss course requirements.

Movie: American Experience: Malcolm X- Make It Plain

Reading assignment for next class meeting (04/08):

The Autobiography of Malcolm X, Introduction through Chapter 12

• Week 2, April 8^th:

Set presentation dates