20809252Race and Ethnicity in the U.S.
Course Information
Description
Explores how social constructions of race and ethnicity shape U.S. society. Emphasis on sociohistorical origins of racial/ethnic inequities and common experiences of black, indigenous, and other racialized and marginalized groups. Assesses systemic racism and whiteness across social institutions. Examines structural inequalities, intersectionality, power relations, forms of racism, discrimination, privilege, and resistance. Discusses current policy debates and possible solutions to inequities.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies
  1. Examine social constructions of race and ethnicity
    Assessment Strategies
    Quizzes/Tests/Exams
    Written Papers and Reflections
    Projects and Presentations (Individual and Group)
    In-Class Group Activities (including Case Studies and Simulations)
    Criteria
    Differentiate between race and ethnicity
    Analyze how social constructs of race and ethnicity vary across time and societies
    Critique historical and contemporary assumptions and ideas about race and ethnicity
    Evaluate the arguments that race is socially constructed versus biological
    Compare the unique ways that different racial and ethnic groups have been socially constructed
    Provide evidence for the social construction of race and ethnicity
    Explore the consequences and implications of social constructions of race and ethnicity
    Examine how social constructions of race and ethnicity have shaped US society
    Identify ways that power and privilege influence social constructions of race and ethnicity

  2. Explore intersectionality
    Assessment Strategies
    Quizzes/Tests/Exams
    Written Papers and Reflections
    Projects and Presentations (Individual and Group)
    Class Activities (such as Case Studies, Simulations, Discussions, etc.)
    Criteria
    Analyze the intersection of race and ethnicity with other social locations such as gender, age, sexuality, etc.
    Apply an intersectional analysis to the study of race and ethnicity
    Explore the cumulative effects of intersecting systems of oppression on individuals and communities
    Examine the persistent relationship between race, class, and gender

  3. Analyze racial and ethnic inequalities
    Assessment Strategies
    Quizzes/Tests/Exams
    Written Papers and Reflections
    Projects and Presentations (Individual and Group)
    In-Class Group Activities (including Case Studies and Simulations)
    Criteria
    Trace patterns of racial/ethnic inequality over time
    Compare structural and non-structural explanations for racial/ethnic inequality
    Appraise historical roots of contemporary racial/ethnic inequality
    Provide examples of individual-level factors that help to maintain racial/ethnic inequalities
    Provide examples of structural-level factors that help to maintain racial/ethnic inequalities
    Differentiate between inequality, inequity, and oppression
    Describe strategies for reducing racial/ethnic inequities
    Explore individual, group, and societal impacts of racial/ethnic inequalities
    Provide examples of how racial inequity has become embedded across multiple social institutions
    Explain how structural factors create barriers to reducing racial inequities

  4. Differentiate between systemic and non-systemic understandings of racism
    Assessment Strategies
    Quizzes/Tests/Exams
    Written Papers and Reflections
    Projects and Presentations (Individual and Group)
    In-Class Group Activities (including Case Studies and Simulations)
    Criteria
    Define systemic racism
    Compare systemic and non-systemic understandings of racism
    Provide examples of systemic racism
    Explain the historical trajectories of racism
    Explore the impacts of systemic racism on individuals, communities, and society
    Explore the relationship between white supremacy and systemic racism

  5. Analyze the core concepts in the study of race and ethnicity
    Assessment Strategies
    Quizzes/Tests/Exams
    Written Papers and Reflections
    Projects and Presentations (Individual and Group)
    In-Class Group Activities (including Case Studies and Simulations)
    Criteria
    Differentiate between racial/ethnic bias, prejudice, discrimination, and stereotypes
    Provide examples of the impacts of these four core concepts on individuals and communities of color
    Explore structural causes of racial biases and discrimination
    Demonstrate self-awareness of your own biases, prejudices, and stereotypes
    Identify strategies for reducing bias, prejudice, discrimination, and stereotypes
    Challenge racial/ethnic assumptions and stereotypes
    Explore the role of the media in creating and perpetuating racial/ethnic biases and stereotypes

  6. Examine current race-related policy initiatives
    Assessment Strategies
    Quizzes/Tests/Exams
    Written Papers and Reflections
    Projects and Presentations (Individual and Group)
    In-Class Group Activities (including Case Studies and Simulations)
    Criteria
    Identify current race-related policy initiatives
    Identify the main arguments in current race-related policy debates
    Evaluate contemporary discourses surrounding race and ethnicity
    Assess how race-related policy initiatives challenge or reinforce racism

  7. Examine whiteness and white privilege
    Assessment Strategies
    Quizzes/Tests/Exams
    Written Papers and Reflections
    Projects and Presentations (Individual and Group)
    In-Class Group Activities (including Case Studies and Simulations)
    Criteria
    Define white privilege
    Identify white privilege
    Identify whiteness in U.S. society
    Define white supremacy
    Examine how power, privilege, and status are linked together
    Compare expressions of white supremacy in the United States with expressions in other countries
    Examine how white supremacy is infused in US culture
    Assess how racial power and privilege impact individuals, communities, and society
    Develop strategies for challenging white supremacist structures

  8. Examine resistance to racial oppression
    Assessment Strategies
    Quizzes/Tests/Exams
    Written Papers and Reflections
    Projects and Presentations (Individual and Group)
    In-Class Group Activities (including Case Studies and Simulations)
    Criteria
    Define antiracism
    Provide examples of antiracism
    Describe types of resistance to racial oppression at the micro, meso, and macro levels
    Explore the differential impacts of resistance on individuals, communities, and U.S. society
    Describe barriers to successful resistance to oppression
    Explain the outcomes of different forms of resistance to oppression
    Examine the causes of various forms of resistance to oppression

  9. Examine key theoretical perspectives used to study race and ethnicity
    Assessment Strategies
    Quizzes/Tests/Exams
    Written Papers and Reflections
    Projects and Presentations (Individual and Group)
    Class Activities (such as Case Studies, Simulations, Discussions, etc.)
    Criteria
    Compare key theoretical perspectives on race and ethnicity
    Evaluate the merits of different theoretical perspectives
    Trace the evolution of theoretical perspectives
    Explore the theoretical contributions of people of color
    Identify examples of power and privilege within the field of race and ethnic studies
    Apply theoretical perspectives of race to social policies, programs, and practices