American Ethnic Relations Spring 2009
Ethnic Studies 420
American Ethnic Relations Spring 2009
Instructor: Noel Jacob Kent
Office hours: 1030-1130 Mon/Tues/Thurs and by appointment
Telephone: 956-6963 e-mail:
The main theme of this course is the continuing evolution of ethnic and race relations in the United States. This process is viewed within a framework of both historic "racial traditions" and ongoing political, economic, and cultural change. Critical thinking and problem solving skills will be used to examine issues and also the possibilities of creating new strategies for mutual respect and living together. The class welcomes lively, informed discussion and diverse ideas on any and all issues. This is a writing intensive, ethical issues class in which writing and the study of ethics are central. Students are required to complete 17 hours of service learning at a designated site. There will be class reflections on service learning throughout the semester.
Areas of interest will be:
**Perspectives on ethnic/racial conflict and peace in the U.S.
**The impact of state policy, globalization and economic crisis on ethnic/racial relations.
***The ethical dimensions of ethnic/racial conflicts and inequalities.
****Reflections on the New Orleans2008 presidential election
Grading
Classroom work--participation in discussions, presentations of readings, etc--counts for 15% of the grade. Students will be asked to complete seven small reaction papers (70% of grade). The service learning journal counts for 15% of the grade. The required texts are Charles Gallagher, Rethinking the Color Line; Lillian Rubin, Families on the Fault Line; Noel Kent, America in l900
Course Outline
Week of January 13/15 Introduction to the course: Requirements and the Service learning component;; Video: Race The Power of Illusion Reading: Gallagher Chapters 3, 9
Week ofJanuary 20/22
Personal Identity maping Vocabulary and Majority/Minority Relations; Theories of Ethnic/Race Relations: The dynamics of prejudice and discrimination: Reading: Gallagher, Chapters 4, 10-11, 17
Week of January 27/29 Divisions forged by history:Why does history matter? Reading: Gallagher,. Video: The Color of Fear
*** Jan. 29 Due: Review of Gringos and Grudges
Week of February 3/5 American Dream ideology and Ethnic/Race Relations Reading: Kent, Chapter 3, 4
Week of Feb. 10/12 Historical snapshot: The United States in 1900 Reading: Kent, chapters 8-9
***Feb. 9 Due: Film Review
(1)
Week of Feb. 17/19 The Civil Rights Revolution: origins, meanings, ethical issues, achievements, and limitations: What has been the impact (in hindsight) of theCivilRights Movement on the rights of racial minorities? Video: Eyes on the Prize, part 6
Week of Feb. 24/26 Post-Civil Rights Discrimination and Economic Inequalities: How do structural problems affect racial inequalities in the U.S. and where are we going as a multicultural nation? Reading: Gallagher Chapters 20, 21, 24, 3027, 28, 30
Week of Mar. 3/5 Discussion of Rubin Book: What are the economic and cultural pressures on families in the U.S. and how are they coping?
Review of Rubin Parts 1-2 and part 3
***Feb. 27 and Mar. 1 Due: Rubin reviews
Week of Mar. 10/12 Race and Reaction: The larger context: New Economic and cultural Realities and Reformulation of Whiteness:Affirmtive Action Video:Racism 101 Reading: Gallagher, Chapters 18. 19, 14
Week of Mar. 17/19 Race, Justice and Environment
Racial Justice; Video: “Murder on a Sunday Morning” and discussion
Environmental Racism: Video: ”Fenceline” and discussion
Reading: Gallagher, Chapters 26, 27, 23
Week of Mar. 31/Apr. 2 Racial Challenges in Education
Video: Racism 101 and discussion
Case Study: the 1992 Los Angeles Upheaval Video: LA is Burning *** Apr. 2 Due: Elaine Kim article review
Week of Apr. 7/9 Perspectives on Immigration:film The New Immigrants
Reading: Gallagher, 40-42
Week of Apr. 14/16 Perspectives on Immigration ***Due April 16: Review of Carpentersville
Week of Apr. 21/23 Film analyses: Crash/ Kumar and Harry/ Eight Mile
Game: Social Justice or charity?
Week of Apr. 28/30 Video: Class Divided
Discussion of the import of the 2008 election: An Alternative Future for ethnic/race relations in the United States?
***Apr. 30 Due: Review of article due
May 5 Discussion of community service experiences Reflections on course All papers/journals due.
May 12 All papers, reports due