Dr. Charles K. Ross is a native of Columbus, Ohio. He joined the faculty as an Assistant Professor of History and Afro American Studies in 1996. He received his B.A. from Stillman College in 1986, an M.A. in Black Studies from Ohio State University in 1989, a second M.A. in History in 1992 along with his Ph.D. in 1996 both from Ohio State University.

His research and teaching interests include twentieth century U.S. History, African American History and Sport History. Dr. Ross recently published a chapter titled "A Historical Legacy of Black Male Leadership: Medgar Evers" in Brothers of the Academy Up and Coming Black Scholars Earning Our Way in Higher Education.  His book, Outside the Lines: African Americans and the Integration of the National Football League was published by New York University Press in 1999.

Professor Ross
Office hours: by appointment
Longstreet Hall 309
915-5977
cross@olemiss.edu

Fall 2009

                                                        AAS 440/HIS 328
                                HISTORY OF AFRICAN AMERICANS IN SPORT
                                                   FALL SEMESTER 2009

Lecturer:  Dr. Ross                                                                           Office Phone/915-5977
cross@olemiss.edu                                                                            Home Phone/281-0124

Teaching Assistant:   Miller Boyd
Office: 309 Bishop Hall
mwboydii@olemiss.edu

Course Description:

            Aas 440/His 328 is a historical survey of African Americans and their roles in various sports beginning with black participation in the late 19th century and chronicling that involvement into the 21st century.  Some of the major themes that will be examined include: black jockeys, black cyclist, and black baseball in the late 19th century; black participation in football, golf, and boxing in the early 20th century; the development of color barriers in various sports; black teams during the age of segregation; the integration of various sports; and future involvement of African Americans in sport.

Course Requirements:

Each student is responsible for (1) class attendance and class participation, (2) weekly reading assignments, three papers, a midterm exam, and (3) a final exam.

Method of Determining Final Course Grade:

Three Papers–Due September 11, October 27, & December 1:                45%
Mid Term Exam–Thursday October 1:                                                        25%
Final Exam–Wednesday December 5, at noon:                                           30%

                                                                                                                                   
Required Books:

            Roberts, Papa Jack;
            Goldman, One Man Out, Curt Flood versus Baseball;
            Gundy & Shackelford, Shattering the Glass
            Ross, Outside the Lines;

Assignments:

The reading assignments are listed on your “Schedule of Assignments” sheet.  Be sure to read each one in full BEFORE the date listed.

                                                                                                                                           Page 2

Meetings:

This class will meet Tuesday and Thursday.  You are expected to attend section and to participate in the discussions.

Office Hours:

Dr. Ross’ office is located in Longstreet Hall, room 309. (telephone 915-5977) Office hours are by appointment.

Examinations:

There will be a midterm exam and a final exam.  You will receive a final letter grade of A, B, C, D, or F in the course.  The grade equivalent of the points for all students will be as follows:
                                                                        A = 100-90
                                                                        B = 80-89
                                                                        C = 70-79
                                                                        D = 60-69
                                                                        F = 59 and below

Papers: Students are required to submit three papers based on readings of Roberts, Goldman, Gundy & Shackelford.  Each paper should include the author’s thesis or major argument along with conclusions.  Summarize no less than five major points of each book. What are the book’s strengths and weaknesses?   Was there information provided in the book that you were unaware of before reading it?  What are your reactions to the book? What contribution does the book make towards the history of African Americans in sport?
            Papers should be typewritten, double spaced, six to eight pages, and clearly written.  Grammatical errors and misspelled words will hurt your overall grade. Be sure to correct these errors before turning in your assignment.  Finally, PLAGIARISM  is the worst crime a student can commit and will not be tolerated, if you reference material from these works place inside quotation marks (Roberts, Tygiel, Goldman, Grundy & Shackelford page 000) do not turn in internet copies of papers nor use information from book reviews, you are expected to read the works and write the paper using your own words and perspective, do not work with other students on this assignment.  Papers turned in late will not receive full credit!

Schedule of Assignments:
Roberts Paper due Tuesday September 11
Mid Term Exam, Thursday October 1
Goldman Paper due Tuesday October 27
Grundy & Shackelford due Tuesday December 1
                                   
Final Exam: Wednesday, December 5 at noon  
                                                                        
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                             SCHEDULE FOR READINGS AND ASSIGNMENTS

               The following are the dates by which each assignment must be completed

Aug. 25:           Introduction to Course
Aug. 27:           Blacks in Sport in the 19th Century

Sep. 1:             Baseball 1865-1918
Sep. 3:             Ross Chapters 1-3/Early Black Participation in Football

Sep. 8:             Blacks in Basketball 1920-1946  
Sep. 10:           Early Blacks in Golf

Sep. 15:           Roberts Paper Due/Early Blacks in Tennis
Sep. 17:           Black Baseball-Negro Leagues

Sep. 22:           Jesse Owens, Joe Louis/Boxing 1930-1960
Sep. 24:           Ross Chapters 4-5/Blacks in the NFL in the 1950s

Sep. 29:           Ross Chapters 4-5 Con’t/Jim Brown and Jackie Robinson
Oct. 1:              Mid term Exam                                    

Oct. 6:              African Americans in Baseball 1940s & 1950s & Integration of Basketball
Oct. 8:              Black Men and Women Golfers of the 1940s and 1950s

Oct. 13:            Ross Chapters 6-7
Oct. 15:            Black Players in the AFL

Oct. 20:            Black Players in the ABA
Oct. 22:            Muhammad Ali

Oct. 27:            Goldman Paper Due/Curt Flood & Baseball
Oct. 29:            1966 Texas Western basketball team, Spencer Haywood & the NBA

Nov. 3:             Wilma Rudolph, 1964 Olympics, & 1968 Olympics Tommie Smith, &  John Carlos
Nov. 5:             Blacks and the NFL 1970-1980, Boxing 1970-1980 & Arthur Ashe,
 
Nov. 10:           Golf 1970 to the present & Blacks in Automobile Racing
Nov. 12:           No Class

Nov. 17:           Blacks in Hockey & Blacks in Baseball 1980 to the present
Nov. 19:           Blacks in Basketball 1980 to the present

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                      SCHEDULE FOR READINGS AND ASSIGNMENTS CON’T
 
Nov. 24:           No Class-Thanksgiving Holiday
Nov. 26:           No Class-Thanksgiving Holiday

Dec. 1:             Grundy & Shackelford Paper Due/Black women in Sport 1980-2000
Dec. 3:             Black athletes in the 21st century

Dec. 8:             12:00--FINAL EXAM