Race
and Ethnic Relations in the United States
Sociology
215, section 001
Fall
Semester 2001
Time: Tuesdays
and Thursdays, 8:00 – 9:15 a.m.
Room: Wham 308
Lecturer: Janet
Armitage
Office: Faner Hall 3427; office phone #: 453-7624
Departmental office phone #: 453-2494
Office hours:
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.;
Wednesdays, 11:00 a.m. -
1:00 p.m.; and by appointment
I. Textbooks:
Joseph F. Healey, 1998.
Race, Ethnicity, Gender, and Class:
The Sociology of Group Conflict
and Change. 2d ed. Thousands Oaks,
CA: Pine Forge Press.
**Additional readings are on reserve at the library.
II. Student
Learning Objectives:
This course examines the status of racial, ethnic, and
cultural minority groups from historical, economic, and political perspectives.
It is designed to expand knowledge of theory, research, and current events in
regards to the relations of race, ethnicity, gender, and class in the United
States. The course uses lectures, class
discussions, and multi-cultural activities to explore the experiences of these
groups. Students are expected to read
the assigned materials prior to each lecture, participate in class discussions,
and comply with grading requirements.
Students in this course will be able to:
1.
Demonstrate an understanding of such sociological
concepts as assimilation, pluralism, ascribed and achieved statuses, prejudice,
and discrimination;
2.
Display basic knowledge of historical, socioeconomic, and
political demographics of
the United States;
3.
Demonstrate critical thinking and understanding about
different theories and perspectives pertaining to race, class, gender, and
sexuality; and
4.
Apply sociological concepts for the analysis of race and
ethnicity to personal and/or familial experience.
III. Guidelines[1]:
1.
We are expected to appreciate and respect others'
opinions. When a student is presenting
her/his view, classmates are expected to listen.
2.
The first ground rule must not be abused by the
speaker. S/he must not use offensive
language, name calling, etc. when expressing views. We shall share information about our groups with other members of
the class and we will never demean, devalue, or in any way "put down"
people for their experiences, thoughts, and insights . . . Remember, at
least in this classroom, one's rights end where those of others'
begin.
3.
Acknowledge that racism, sexism, classism, and homophobia
exist.
4.
Acknowledge that one of the meanings of racism (or
sexism, classism, homophobia) is that we have been systematically taught
misinformation about our own group and especially about members of minority
groups (this is true for both minority and majority group members).
5.
We cannot be blamed for the misinformation we have
learned, but we will be held responsible for repeating misinformation after we
have learned otherwise.
6.
We will not blame victims for their oppression.
7.
We will always assume that people are always doing the
best that they can.
8.
We will actively pursue information about our own groups
and those of others.
9.
We each have an obligation to actively combat the myths
and stereotypes about our own group and other groups so that we can break down
the walls which prohibit inter-group
cooperation and gain.
IV. Evaluation:
1.
Book report/review (2) = 50 points each = 100 points
2.
Grading assignment = 10 points
3.
Quizzes (4) = 10 points each = 40 points
4.
Mid-term exam = 100
points
5.
Observation project = 50 points
6.
Final exam (optional) = 100
points
Evaluation cont'd.
Students' grades will be determined by the following
elements:
1.
Book Report/Review: A 4 – 6 page, typed book report/review on a
sociological relevant book that pertains to race, ethnicity, gender, and/or
class. A book list of acceptable titles
will be distributed in class. Each
student may choose his or her book from this list or select a different
appropriate title. All choices must be
approved by the instructor. Two copies
of this report are required.
2.
Grading assignment: One copy of each student's book report will
be graded by a student in the class.
The report will have no identifying information on the cover page. However, each student will place his or her
student I.D. number on the paper. The
assignment of grading the report is worth 10 points. However, each student will assign the report a grade of 0 – 50
points that will be recorded as a second grade for each student. Grading guidelines will be handed out and
each student must: a) follow these
guidelines and
b) submit a typewritten
brief summary that explains the given grade.
3.
Quizzes: Four quizzes will be given throughout the semester. Each is worth 10 points.
4.
Mid-term exam: The mid-term term exams consist of 50
multiple-choice questions (worth 2 pts. each).
The exam will cover chapters from the textbook, lectures, and any other
class materials assigned.
5.
Observation project: The observation project requires each
student to choose an on-campus area (e.g., the student center) and make at
least 30 minutes of observations of personal interactions. The project, worth 50 points, examines
"racialized space". The details of the student's observations will be
typewritten in a brief report (3 – 5 pages). More detailed paper guidelines
will be given during the semester. Time
will be allotted during the semester to make such observations.
6.
Final exam (optional): The final exam is 100 cumulative
questions (no essays) covering all course materials. It is an optional exam. However, only those students who meet the
eligibility requirements may choose this option. The requirements are: a) a "C" or better in the class
or b) zero class absences beyond the three allowable missed classes.
Bonus points:
Attendance will be taken throughout the semester. On selective days, the attendance recorded
will be worth 1 point.
Grading scales:
A |
B |
C |
D |
F |
400 – 360 |
359 – 320 |
319 – 280 |
279 – 240 |
239 – 0 |
Without the final exam:
A |
B |
C |
D |
F |
|
300 – 270 |
269 – 240 |
239 – 210 |
209 – 180 |
179 – 0 |
The total course points are 400 and 300 points respectively.
V. Missed
Deadlines and Make-up Exam Scheduling Policy:
No late papers or assignments will be accepted and no
make-up exams will be given. The dates
for all class requirements are listed in the following class schedule. It is your responsibility to be aware of the
deadlines and exam dates. Each
assignment is due at the beginning of each class period. If you do not attend class that day, the
assignment will be accepted in the sociology departmental office on or before
the due date and time. Each assignment
not turned in during the class period must be signed and dated by a student
worker or other office staff and/or faculty member and placed in my
departmental mailbox. If you are going
to miss a deadline or an exam, you must inform the instructor a week before the
deadline by submitting official documentation from the Office of Student
Development. If you miss a deadline or
exam because of illness, death of a family member, or other emergency (your car
breaking down is not treated as an emergency), you must inform the instructor
within 24 hours of the class meeting that you miss. We will discuss procedures necessary to complete the needed
requirements.
VI. Reading
Assignments and Lecture Schedule:
Additional readings—in addition to the text chapters—will
be assigned periodically.
Week 1 August 21, 23:
Introduction to the course
Readings: Healey, Ch. 1
Week 2 August 28, 30: continuation of week 1
topic and an introduction to assimilation and pluralism
Readings: Healey, Ch. 1 and Ch. 2
Miller, "Domination and
Subordination", (R) p. 73-79
Week 3 September 4, 6:
Prejudice
Readings: Healey, Ch. 3
**Discuss
and distribute book report/review guidelines
Reading Assignments and Lecture Schedule cont'd.
Week 4 September 11, 13:
Prejudice and Discrimination
Readings: Healey, Ch. 3 and Ch. 4
Snyder,
"Self-Fulfilling Stereotypes", (R) p. 452-458.
Mohr,
"Anti-Gay Stereotypes", (R) p. 458-465.
Week 5 September 18, 20:
Minority Groups (Preindustrial America)
Readings: Healey, Ch. 5
Week 6 September 25, 27:
Continuation of Week 5
**Exam I Review
**Exam
I: October 4, 2001 (Ch. 1 – 5)
Week 7 October 2, 4: Industrialization and dominant-minority
group relations
Readings: Healey, Ch. 6 and Ch. 11
**Discuss observation project
Week 8 October 9, 11:
Continuation of Week 7 topics
Readings: same as Week 7
Week 9 October
16, 18: "Understanding the
Present": U.S. minority groups
Readings: Healey, Ch. 7 (African Americans)
U.S.
Constitution: Thirteenth (1865), Fourteenth (1868), and Fifteenth (1870)
Amendments,
(R) p. 407-408
DuBois,
"The Black Codes", (R) p. 408-415
**Class
cancelled/observation day: October 18, 2001
Week 10 October 23, 25:
Continuation of Week 9 topic
Readings: same as Week 9
**Book
reports due, October 25, 2001
Week 11 Fall
Recess: October 27 – November 4, 2001
Week 12 November
6, 8: American Indians
Readings: Healey, Ch. 8
**Class
cancelled/observation day: November 6,
2001
**Grading
assignment due: November 8, 2001
Reading Assignments and Lecture Schedule cont'd.
Week 13 November
13, 15: Hispanic Americans
Readings: Healey, Ch. 9
Cole,
"Five Myths about Immigration", (R) p. 125-128
**Observation project
due, November 15, 2001
Week 14 November 20: Asian Americans
Readings: Healey, Ch.10
**Thanksgiving
Break: November 22 – 25, 2001
Week 15 November 27, 29: Continuation of Week 14 topic and an
introduction to Global Dominant-Minority relations
Readings: same as Week 14 and Healey, Ch. 12
Week 16 December 4, 6: U.S.
Minority groups and Summary of the course
Readings: Healey, Ch. 13
Week 17 December
10 – 14: Finals week
**Time and location of optional
final exam to be announced.
Sociology
215, section 006
Fall
Semester 2001
Time: Tuesdays
and Thursdays, 9:35 – 10:50 a.m.
Room: Wham 306
Lecturer: Janet
Armitage
Office: Faner Hal 3427; office phone #: 453-7624
Departmental office phone #: 453-2494
Office hours:
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.;
Wednesdays, 11:00 a.m. -
1:00 p.m.; and by appointment
I. Textbooks:
Joseph F. Healey, 1998.
Race, Ethnicity, Gender, and Class:
The Sociology of Group Conflict
and Change. 2d ed. Thousands Oaks,
CA: Pine Forge Press.
**Additional readings are on reserve at the library.
II. Student
Learning Objectives:
This course examines the status of racial, ethnic, and
cultural minority groups from historical, economic, and political perspectives.
It is designed to expand knowledge of theory, research, and current events in
regards to the relations of race, ethnicity, gender, and class in the United
States. The course uses lectures, class
discussions, and multi-cultural activities to explore the experiences of these
groups. Students are expected to read
the assigned materials prior to each lecture, participate in class discussions,
and comply with grading requirements.
Students in this course will be able to:
1.
Demonstrate an understanding of such sociological
concepts as assimilation, pluralism, ascribed and achieved statuses, prejudice,
and discrimination;
2.
Display basic knowledge of historical, socioeconomic, and
political demographics of the United States;
3.
Demonstrate critical thinking and understanding about
different theories and perspectives pertaining to race, class, gender, and
sexuality; and
4.
Apply sociological concepts for the analysis of race and
ethnicity to personal and/or familial experience.
III. Guidelines[2]:
1. We are
expected to appreciate and respect others' opinions. When a student is presenting her/his view, classmates are
expected to listen.
2. The
first ground rule must not be abused by the speaker. S/he must not use offensive language, name calling, etc. when
expressing views. We shall share
information about our groups with other members of the class and we will never
demean, devalue, or in any way "put down" people for their
experiences, thoughts, and insights . . . Remember, at least in this classroom,
one's rights end where those of others' begin.
3. Acknowledge
that racism, sexism, classism, and homophobia exist.
4. Acknowledge
that one of the meanings of racism (or sexism, classism, homophobia) is that we
have been systematically taught misinformation about our own group and
especially about members of minority groups (this is true for both minority and
majority group members).
5. We
cannot be blamed for the misinformation we have learned, but we will be held
responsible for repeating misinformation after we have learned otherwise.
6. We will
not blame victims for their oppression.
7. We will
always assume that people are always doing the best that they can.
8. We will
actively pursue information about our own groups and those of others.
9. We each
have an obligation to actively combat the myths and stereotypes about our own
group and other groups so that we can break down the walls which prohibit
inter-group
cooperation and gain.
IV. Evaluation:
1.
Book report/review (2) = 50 points each = 100 points
2.
Grading assignment = 10 points
3.
Quizzes (4) = 10 points each = 40 points
4.
Mid-term exam = 100
points
5.
Observation project = 50 points
6.
Final exam (optional) = 100
points
Students' grades will be determined by the following
elements:
1.
Book Report/Review: A 4 – 6 page, typed book report/review on a
sociological relevant book that pertains to race, ethnicity, gender, and/or
class. A book list of acceptable titles
will be distributed in class. Each
student may choose his or her book from this list or select a different
appropriate title. All choices must be
approved by the instructor. Two copies
of this report are required.
2.
Grading assignment: One copy of each student's book report will
be graded by a student in the class.
The report will have no identifying information on the cover page. However, each student will place his or her
student I.D. number on the paper. The
assignment of grading the report is worth 10 points. However, each student will assign the report a grade of 0 – 50
points that will be recorded as a second grade for each student. Grading guidelines will be handed out and
each student must: a) follow these
guidelines and b) submit a
typewritten brief summary that explains the given grade.
3.
Quizzes: Four quizzes will be given throughout the semester. Each is worth 10 points.
4.
Mid-term exam: The mid-term term exams consist of 50
multiple-choice questions (worth 2 pts. each).
The exam will cover chapters from the textbook, lectures, and any other
class materials assigned.
5.
Observation project: The observation project requires each
student to choose an on-campus area (e.g., the student center) and make at
least 30 minutes of observations of personal interactions. The project, worth 50 points, examines
"racialized space". The details of the student's observations will be
typewritten in a brief report (3 – 5 pages). More detailed paper guidelines will
be given during the semester. Time will
be allotted during the semester to make such observations.
6.
Final exam (optional): The final exam is 100 cumulative
questions (no essays) covering all course materials. It is an optional exam. However, only those students who meet the
eligibility requirements may choose this option. The requirements are: a) a "C" or better in the class
or b) zero class absences beyond the three allowable missed classes.
Bonus points:
Attendance will be taken throughout the semester. On selective days, the attendance recorded
will be worth 1 point.
Grading scales:
A |
B |
C |
D |
F |
400 – 360 |
359 – 320 |
319 – 280 |
279 – 240 |
239 – 0 |
Without the final exam:
A |
B |
C |
D |
F |
|
300 – 270 |
269 – 240 |
239 – 210 |
209 – 180 |
179 – 0 |
The total course points are 400 and 300 points
respectively.
V. Missed
Deadlines and Make-up Exam Scheduling Policy:
No late papers or assignments will be accepted and no
make-up exams will be given. The dates
for all class requirements are listed in the following class schedule. It is your responsibility to be aware of the
deadlines and exam dates. Each
assignment is due at the beginning of each class period. If you do not attend class that day, the
assignment will be accepted in the sociology departmental office on or before
the due date and time. Each assignment
not turned in during the class period must be signed and dated by a student
worker or other office staff and/or faculty member and placed in my
departmental mailbox. If you are going
to miss a deadline or an exam, you must inform the instructor a week before the
deadline by submitting official documentation from the Office of Student
Development. If you miss a deadline or
exam because of illness, death of a family member, or other emergency (your car
breaking down is not treated as an emergency), you must inform the instructor
within 24 hours of the class meeting that you miss. We will discuss procedures necessary to complete the needed
requirements.
VI. Reading
Assignments and Lecture Schedule:
Additional readings—in addition to the text chapters—will
be assigned periodically.
Week 1 August 21, 23:
Introduction to the course
Readings: Healey, Ch. 1
Week 2 August 28, 30: continuation of week 1
topic and introduction to assimilation and pluralism
Readings: Healey, Ch. 1 and Ch. 2
Miller, "Domination and
Subordination", (R) p. 73-79
Week 3 September 4, 6:
Prejudice
Readings: Healey, Ch. 3
**Discuss
and distribute book report/review guidelines
Reading Assignments and Lecture Schedule cont'd.
Week 4 September 11, 13:
Prejudice and Discrimination
Readings: Healey, Ch. 3 and Ch. 4
Snyder,
"Self-Fulfilling Stereotypes", (R) p. 452-458.
Mohr,
"Anti-Gay Stereotypes", (R) p. 458-465.
Week 5 September 18, 20:
Minority Groups (Preindustrial America)
Readings: Healey, Ch. 5
Week 6 September 25, 27:
Continuation of Week 5
**Exam I Review
**Exam
I: October 4, 2001 (Ch. 1 – 5)
Week 7 October 2, 4: Industrialization and dominant-minority
group relations
Readings: Healey, Ch. 6 and Ch. 11
**Discuss observation project
Week 8 October 9, 11:
Continuation of Week 7 topics
Readings: same as Week 7
Week 9 October
16, 18: "Understanding the
Present": U.S. minority groups
Readings: Healey, Ch. 7 (African Americans)
U.S.
Constitution: Thirteenth (1865), Fourteenth (1868), and Fifteenth (1870)
Amendments,
(R) p. 407-408
DuBois,
"The Black Codes", (R) p. 408-415
**Class
cancelled/observation day: October 18, 2001
Week 10 October 23, 25:
Continuation of Week 9 topic
Readings: same as Week 9
**Book
reports due, October 25, 2001
Week 11 Fall
Recess: October 27 – November 4, 2001
Week 12 November
6, 8: American Indians
Readings: Healey, Ch. 8
**Class
cancelled/observation day: November 6,
2001
**Grading
assignment due: November 8, 2001
Reading Assignments and Lecture Schedule cont'd.
Week 13 November
13, 15: Hispanic Americans
Readings: Healey, Ch. 9
Cole,
"Five Myths about Immigration", (R) p. 125-128
**Observation project
due, November 15, 2001
Week 14 November 20: Asian Americans
Readings: Healey, Ch.10
**Thanksgiving
Break: November 22 – 25, 2001
Week 15 November 27, 29: Continuation of Week 14 topic and an
introduction to Global Dominant-Minority relations
Readings: same as Week 14 and Healey, Ch. 12
Week 16 December 4, 6: U.S.
Minority groups and Summary of the course
Readings: Healey, Ch. 13
Week 17 December
10 – 14: Finals week
**Time and location of optional
final exam to be announced.