Race and Ethnic Relations in the United States

Sociology 215, section 005

Time: 12:35 p.m. to 1:50 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays

Room: Parkinson 202

Instructor: Professor Calhoun

Office: Faner Hall 3426, Office Phone: 453-7610

Departmental Office Phone: 453-2494

Office Hours: 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. M-W-F or by appointment

Email: tcalhoun@siu.edu

Textbook: Healey, Joseph F. 1998. Race, Ethnicity, Gender, and Class: The Sociology of Group Conflict and Change. 2d ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Pine Forge Press.

Additional library readings may be assigned.

Course Format: Lectures, class discussions, and audio-visual media (faculty; discussion groups—graduate assistants).

Course Objectives: Students will be able to: (a) demonstrate an understanding of such concepts as assimilation, pluralism, ascribed and achieved statues, prejudice, and discrimination; (b) display basic knowledge of historical, socioeconomic, and political demographics of the U.S.; (c) demonstrate critical thinking about different theories and perspectives pertaining to race, class, gender, and sexuality; and (d) apply sociological concepts for the analysis of race and ethnicity to personal and/or family experience.

Detailed Course Description: The United States is an increasingly diverse society as witnessed by the changing demographics of race and ethnic relations. White-ethnics, who have historically been the majority, will be in the minority in 2038. Latinos will surpass African Americans as the most numerous minority about the same time. It is getting harder to think of American racial issues in terms of “black and white.” To be effective citizens, all students will need exposure to the sociology, history and culture of a variety of ethno-racial groups. Further, it is important for citizens in this globalizing world to understand how gender and class may shape people’s experiences of race-ethnicity. Along with the academic content, the course will also focus on providing students with skills for effective communicating on these topics. Among the substantive areas covered will be the history of the European colonization of North America, the expansion of the United States and the dynamics of immigration, the process of identity formation among ethno-racial groups and its contribution to processes of prejudice and discrimination among all groups, and the economic and political contexts of racism.

Course Requirements and Grading:

• Three exams (100 points each). Examinations may be composed of multiple choice, true-false, short answer or essay questions or any combination thereof.
• Examinations will include materials contained in the text, provided in lecture, and/or materials presented by guest speakers. Makeup examinations will be ALL essay and given on the last examination day of the fall semester.

• Final Research Paper (100 points). Each student must write or participate in the writing of a research paper on a topic chosen by the individual student(s) and with the approval of the instructor. This paper should not exceed 20 typewritten double spaced pages. The paper should be written in Times New Roman 12 or some comparable font. The paper must conform to some accepted writing style such as MLA, APA, or ASA format. The use of internet sources should be kept to a minimum. All papers must have a clearly identified introduction and a conclusion. All papers must have a complete bibliography. Academic honesty is a must and failure to comply with this standard will result in serious repercussions. Check the student handbook for possible sanctions. No more than four students can work together on a research paper. This paper is due at the beginning of class on the Tuesday before our Thanksgiving Holiday begins. No late papers will be accepted.

A = 360 and above

B = 320-359

C = 280-319

D = 240-279

F = 239 and below

Do not ask to do extra credit because the request will be denied.

• Class attendance and participation as an additional grade consideration. Each student is expected to be in class each scheduled meeting time. Not only are you expected to be in class, you are to be prepared to contribute to the discussions in a meaningful way. You can miss three classes without penalty; however, for each additional absence your final average will be reduced by 1 percentage point. Obviously if you have to be away on official university business verified by the appropriate sponsoring unit absences will not be penalized. Additionally, if you have to be away because of illness in the family or the death of an immediate family member (i.e. mother, father, sister, brother, grandmother, grandfather, partner, or child) you will not be penalized.

• I make three assumptions about you: First I believe you are attending SIUC because of an earnest desire for knowledge. Secondly, I believe that you have or have had experiences that will make our discussions more meaningful; therefore, each person’s views must be respected. We can disagree with each other and still learn from each other. Finally, I assume you are an adult and therefore will treat you as such.

• Reading Schedule

Week 1 August 21, 23: Introduction to the course

Reading: Healey, Chapter 1

Week 2 August 28, 30

Reading: Continuation of Chapter 1 of Healey and begin Chapter 2

Week 3 September 4, 6:

Finish Chapter 2 and begin Chapter 3

Week 4 September 11,13:

Finish Chapter 3 and begin Chapter 4

Week 5 September 18, 20

Finish Chapter 4 and First Major Examination

Week 6 September 25,27:

Chapter 5

Week 7 October 2, 4:

Chapter 6

Week 8 October 9,11:

Chapter 7

Week 9 October 16,18

Chapter 8

Week 10 October 23,25

Second Major Examination and begin discussion of Chapter 9

Week 11 Fall Recess: October 27-November 4, 2001

Week 12 November 6,8, Finish Chapter 9 and begin Chapter 10

Week 13 November 13,15, Finish Chapter 10 and begin Chapter 11

Week 14 November 20, Finish Chapter 11 and observe Thanksgiving Break

Research Papers due

Week 15 November 27,29 Chapter 12

Week 16 December 4,6:Chapter 13

Week 17 December 10-14 Third Final Examination