SOC 324: Race & Ethnic Relations
Fall 2020
T-Th 11:15-12:35am
Synchronous Online
Course Overview
Racism is one of the most contentious issues in the world. Most biologists and social scientists agree that race is a biological fiction: the heritable cosmetic differences between one group of humans and other are biologically insignificant. Though race and racism are constructed from biological fictions, perceptions of race perpetually generate far-reaching and long-enduring social pathologies. Ignorance-based perceptions of race have terrorized and killed more people in human history than perhaps any other social phenomenon.
Course Objectives
In this class, we will talk about the origins of racism and ethnicity. We will discuss the impact that racism and ethnicity have had on history, and we will also analyze the processes that transform race from an insignificant biological illusion into an immensely destructive social pathology. We will also examine social theories (Durkheim and W. I. Thomas in particular) which explain how and why racism emerges and also how, when treated like a virulent social disease, racism can be cured.
Reading - Prof Tim will make free readings available online
Participation
Zoom is weird, but we’re stuck with it. Prof Tim will do his best to create a comfortable two-way flow of thoughts and information.
Minority and Ethnic Relations In-Class Presentations*
In order to develop an active learning environment we will begin each class with brief (2-3 min per student) student-led “Ethnicity in America” presentations. Student presentations will focus on ideas pertaining to that day’s lecture. Students should structure their presentations in a tangible fashion, e.g., Facebook page, Prezi, PowerPoint, video, audio, web materials, etc.
Exams
There will be two take-home midterm exams during the session (100 points each) and a final exam (150 points). Exams will be long-essay format and will draw heavily upon course content. All students are required to complete all three exams.
Submit Exams Via Email
In order to keep track of midterms and final exams, Prof Tim requests that students submit all exams via email. Students are welcome to submit exams either in the body of an email message or as the attachment. Please submit your exams to the following email address: tmcgett@gmail.com
Attendance
In Prof Tim’s experience there is a very strong correlation between faithful attendance and educational success.
How to calculate your final grade
ADA Accommodations
If you have a documented disability that may impact your work in this class and for which you may require accommodations, please see the Disability Resource Coordinator as soon as possible to arrange accommodations via the Disability Resource Office in LARC 169.
Course Calendar
I am including specific dates for all of the important events during the semester. You will be informed in class of any significant alterations to the schedule of events.
8/25 Course Introduction - The Origins of Ethnicity & Racism
Webinar: Our Race Shapes Our Realities
8/27-9/1 Lecture 01: White Nativism & Columbus
Reading: Cancel Columbus!
9/3-9/8 Lecture 02: White Supremacy and the US Constitution
Reading: Preface to A Formula for Eradicating Racism
9/10-9/15 Lecture 03: Reticulation: Celebrating Diversity
Reading: Donald Trump: The Racist Messiah & Ethnic Cleansing
9/17-9/22 Lecture 04: Race as Deviance
Reading: The Crime of Being Black in Public & Getting it Wrong at Starbucks
9/22 First Take-Home Exam Due at the Beginning of Class
9/24-9/29 Lecture 05: Jane Elliott, Suggestion and Racist-Sadism
Reading: Race and the Power of Suggestion & Angry Eyes
10/1-10/6 Lecture 06: White Privilege
Reading: The Invisible Knapsack & The Origins of Excellence
10/8-10/13 Lecture 07: Racial Profiling and Terrorism
Reading: ACLU Definition
10/15-10/20 Lecture 08: IQ, Scientific Racism and Eugenics
Reading: Scientific Racism & The Farce of Race
10/22-10/27 Lecture 09: Slavery, Human Trafficking and Globalization
Reading: The New Jim Crow
10/27 Second Take-Home Exam Due at the Beginning of Class
10/29-11/3 Lecture 10: Aristocrats, Snobbery and Racism
Reading: Racist Snobs & Nature v Nurture
11/5-11/10 Lecture 11: Racism, Drugs and Nixonland
Reading: Tricky Dick & Race as Deviance Part II
11/12-11/19 Lecture 12: Cesar Chavez, the UFW & Nativism
Reading: The Story of Cesar Chavez
11/23-11/27 Thanksgiving Break
12/1-12/3 Lecture 13: A Plan to End Racism
Reading: Anti-Racism for a Better Tomorrow & Insulting the Meat: Terminating Racist Hypocrisy
12/11 Submit Final Exam by 5pm on Friday, 12/11
Upon completion of the Sociology major, students should be able to:
1. Understand the major theoretical perspectives in sociology through comparing, contrasting, and thinking critically about the roles of these theories in the study of society.
2. Apply a variety of quantitative and qualitative research methods in the gathering and analysis of sociological data and recognize common methodologies used in sociological literature.
3. Use sociological theories and methods to analyze substantive social issues and problems such as deviance, race, gender, sexuality, and class.
4. Demonstrate critical thinking by evaluating arguments and evidence related to social issues and by connecting sociological insights to current events and personal experiences of the social world.
Upon completion of the Criminology major, students should be able to demonstrate :
1. A comprehension of and the ability to critically assess and compare the major criminological theoretical perspectives.
2. An ability to understand, interpret, and apply various research methodologies in the field of criminology.
3. An ability to apply criminological theories and methods to substantive issues and in order to understand social problems and inform crime-related social policy.
4. An ability to engage in critical thinking about various aspects of social life and organization, including crime and criminal justice institutions.
Upon completion of the Anthropology minor, students will be able to demonstrate:
1. An understanding and appreciation of human biological, archaeological, linguistic, and cultural diversity
2. An understanding of the three main anthropological approaches to the study of humanity: cross-cultural comparison, holism, and evolutionary theory, and the uses of each.
3. An ability to understand, describe, and critically assess anthropological/archaeological theories, principles, concepts, and research methods
4. An ability to understand, describe, and critically assess the role of culture and social structures in shaping individual lives.
5. An ability to critically write and verbally present ideas, critiques, and research within the discipline.
Upon completion of the Women’s Studies minor, students will:
1. Demonstrate working knowledge of women’s participation in, contribution to, and transformation of areas of social life including culture, society, politics, economics, and religion.
2. Demonstrate working knowledge of institutionalized discrimination and violence based on gender.
3. Demonstrate a critical understanding of gender from national and global perspectives.
4. Apply the basic concepts, theories and methods in gender studies in national and global contexts.
General education offerings in our programs
CSU-Pueblo General Education and GT pathways designation:
ANTHR 100, Cultural Anthropology
SOC 101, Introduction to Sociology
SOC 201, Social Problems
WS 100, Introduction to Women’s Studies
CSU-Pueblo General Education:
ANTHR 101, Biological Anthropology
ANTHR 101L, Biological Anthropology Lab
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