DUE MONDAY, JANUARY 16

READ: (Textbook) Chapter 11 (“Islamophobia?”)

WRITE:

1. Write a general reaction to the reading? How do we understand anti-Islamic practices in the U.S. and Europe?

2. What do YOU think are the most important things that need to be done to address issues of racism and racial inequality in the United States?

SUGGESTION: Look over the review guide distributed in class on Friday. Come to class on Monday prepared to ask any questions that you might have about the material on the review sheet. I will be glad to remain after class to discuss any questions that you might have.

DUE FRIDAY, JANUARY 13

Read: (Textbook) Chapters 3 (“Race, Class and Gender”) and 7 (“Institutional Racism”)

Write:

1. Write a general reaction to the readings.

2. Write down one question for class discussion.

DUE THURSDAY, JANUARY 12

Read: (Library Reserve) "The Civil Rights Movement" (Morris and Herring). 

Write:

1. Discuss the video, “Fighting Back,” that was shown in class on Wednesday.

2. Think about the Civil Rights Movement (drawing from the reading and your understanding of history).  What forces gave rise to the movement (why did it occur when it did?)?  What changed in American society as a result of the Civil Rights Movement?  What didn't?

DUE WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11

Read (Library Reserve): Yetman, “Historical Perspectives” Part I and Part II (beginning to p. 100 and p. 109 to end).

No written assignment, but be prepared to discuss the experiences of Native Americans, Latinos, and Asians. Look for common themes instead of historical details. I may not cover all elements of this material (or may do so very briefly) but it will be included on the final exam.

DUE TUESDAY, JANUARY 10

Read: (Library Reserve) Feagin—“Slavery Unwilling to Die”

Write:

Write a general reaction to the reading. What are the main issues raised by the author? Is there anything that you strongly agree/disagree with?

Write a general reaction to the video shown in class today (Race: The Power of an Illusion. Episode Two: The Story We Tell). Some issues to consider: What is the social purpose of racist ideologies? How have they changed over time? NOTE: if you did not see the video in class, it may be viewed at the University Library—ask for video GN 269 .R33 2003, pt. 2.

DUE MONDAY, JANUARY 9

Read:

(Library Reserve) Bonilla-Silva “Color-Blind Racism,” pages 140-162.

[Supplemental Reading] Textbook (Chapter 9—New Racisms?)

Write:

1. What are the key issues raised by the author?

1. What is your understanding of “color blind racism?” How does it reinforce racism?

DUE FRIDAY, JANUARY 6

Read:

Doane   "White Identity and Race Relations in the 1990s"   [Note: this article is available via the course web site—IT IS NOT ON LIBRARY RESERVE, click here to go to the article].

Textbook (Chapter 8—“Whiteness”)

Write:

Write a reaction to the issues raised in the two readings.  What does it mean to be white in the United States in the 21st century?  How does whiteness affect race and ethnic relations in the U.S.?  How do the issues raised by the authors compare with your own observations regarding whiteness?

Read: (Textbook) Chapter 6 (“Mixed-ness”)

Write:

Discuss the issues raised by the author. How does the idea of “mixed race” shape our understanding of race?

[EXTRA CREDIT] Discuss the video “Race: The Power of an Illusion. Episode I: The Difference between Us” that was shown in class on Thursday, January 5. Which images or issues did you find most interesting? How did the contents of the video relate to what you previously learned or believed about race? What questions were raised by the video? What do the contents of the video suggest about the role of race in human social interaction? NOTE: if you did not see the video in class, it may be viewed at the University Library—ask for video GN 269 .R33 2003, pt. 1.

DUE THURSDAY, JANUARY 5

READ: (Class Handouts) Rodriguez (“Searching for Roots in a Changing World”) and Charukamnoetkanok (“Triple Identity: My Experience as an Immigrant in America”).

WRITE:

Discuss the following issues:

Ø What is your personal reaction to the experiences of the two authors? What did you find interesting, upsetting, etc.?

Ø What can we learn from these experiences about the nature (social role) of race and ethnicity?

READ: Textbook (Racisms), Chapters 1 (“The Idea of Race and the Practice of Racisms”) and 5 (“Science”)

WRITE:

What did you find most interesting in the reading? Why? What can we conclude about race and the role that it plays in society?

DUE WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4

READ: (Class Handout) “King’s Final Years Seldom Talked About”

Textbook (Racisms), Chapter 4 (“Race, Nation, State)

WRITE:

Discuss the video “At the River I Stand” that was shown in class on January 3.

What is your personal reaction to the film?  What events did you find most interesting or significant? How do you see Dr. King portrayed in the film? How did this differ from your previous image of Dr. King?

Respond to the class discussion of the video and the reading “King’s Final Years Seldom Talked About” (distributed in class). What are the key issues? Why does society focus upon an incomplete image of Dr. King’s life?

What issues relating to race and ethnic relations would you be most interested in discussing in class during this course?