UNIVERSITY OF HARTFORD
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
RACE AND ETHNIC RELATIONS (AFS 352/SOC 382)
SPRING 2010
Dr. Woody Doane
Office: Hillyer 113B
Telephone: 768-4878; if no answer, messages may be left on voice
mail
E-mail: doane@hartford.edu
I generally check e-mail on days that I am not on campus.
Office Hours: TR 10:00-10:40; 1:00-2:30 [I will generally be in my office at these
times; however, I recommend appointments to avoid any inconvenience in the
event that I have a meeting]; other times by appointment.
Course Web Page: http://uhaweb.hartford.edu/doane/racemenu.htm (Please
note that this is NOT a Blackboard site)
Textbooks:
Bonilla-Silva, Eduardo. 2010. Racism Without Racists: Color-Blind Racism and the Persistence of
Racial Inequality in the United States. 3rd ed.
Note: Course textbook will be supplemented by library reserve readings and by material distributed in class. A University computer account is needed to access electronic reserve material.
Catalog Description:
A socio-historical analysis of the impact of race and ethnicity upon the distribution of power, opportunity, and privilege in a social structure. Major theoretical perspectives on racial and ethnic prejudice and discrimination will be examined along with the diverse patterns of interracial and interethnic contact which develop in different societies. The course will also focus upon the politics of minority status, studying the growth and development of social movements which have challenged the legitimacy of racial and ethnic stratification.
Course Objectives:
1. I want to encourage you to adopt a sociological perspective towards race
and ethnic relations. In particular, I would like you to understand how
social forces (especially economic and political competition) shape intergroup
relations and how race and ethnic relations in turn influence both social
institutions and the day to day experiences of individual members of
society. A related goal for this course is to increase your understanding
of the key concepts and theories in the sociological study of race and ethnic
relations by having you apply these ideas to intergroup relations in the
2. I also want to encourage you to view race and ethnic relations in the
3. I encourage you to use this course to continue to develop your personal perspective on race and ethnic relations in American society; that is, your understanding of how race and ethnic relations have shaped and will continue to shape your life experiences.
4. I hope that this class will provide a forum for exchanging perspectives and gaining a broader understanding of current issues in race and ethnic relations (e.g., affirmative action, immigration). I encourage all students to ask questions, share experiences, and to be open and honest in discussing issues.
5. I also hope that this course will serve as a vehicle for combating racism. While many courses claim to be “value-free,” I approach this course from the perspective that racism is contrary to basic human values of equality and human dignity. I hope that participating in this course will increase your resolve to address racism in social institutions and individual interactions.
Method of Evaluation:
Course grading will follow the traditional academic letter grade system (A=outstanding, B=above average, C=satisfactory/ competent college level work, D=below average/ marginal, F=unsatisfactory/ failing). Final course grades for students will be determined as follows:
Reaction Papers/Participation 25%
Examinations 30%
Personal Experience Essay 20%
Project 25%
Students are encouraged to discuss any concerns regarding grading with the instructor.
Additional Academic Information:
1. The essay assignment and project are described in detail in separate handouts that will be distributed in future classes. This information will also be available on the course web site.
2. The “reaction papers” portion of the grade consists of responses to questions related to the reading and/or posed in class. Since the purpose of these assignments is to stimulate learning and class discussion by encouraging you to analyze or respond to course material, these assignments will not normally be accepted more than one class meeting following the due date. Reading and written assignments will also be posted on the course web site.
3. Students experiencing difficulty with course work are encouraged to seek help from the instructor as soon as possible. Students with special concerns (e.g., health problems, documented learning disabilities) are requested to meet with the instructor to discuss their needs.
4. It is important that all students have access to the textbooks and to library reserve readings. Please speak with me if you experience difficulty in gaining access to this material.
5. Additional academic challenges are available for outstanding students. Opportunities for extra credit will be mentioned in class and listed on the course web site.
6. In the event of inclement weather, class meetings will only be canceled in event of the closure of the University. Call 768-4100 or check www.hartford.edu for details. Students are encouraged to register with the University’s text alert system at www.hartford.edu/alert.
7. In the event of a delayed opening due to weather, I will only hold class if there will be at least one hour of meeting time (i.e., classes begin at 11:00 AM or earlier).
8. Students who wish to use computers during class should discuss their needs with me at the first class meeting.
Expectations:
In addition to the academic requirements for the course, I expect the following from all students:
Responsibility. If you miss class, you are responsible for obtaining the assignment and any class notes. Reading and written assignments are always available via the course web site. I do not accept absence as an excuse for not knowing about an assignment or a topic. If you have special concerns or problems with any aspect of the course (e.g., an assignment deadline), it is up to you to contact me to discuss the matter as soon as possible so that we can make necessary arrangements.
Commitment. I expect that you will be committed to giving a professional effort in this class. This includes attending classes, participating in class discussions, and asking questions when you need clarification. It also involves doing whatever is necessary to succeed--being willing to spend the time necessary to understand reading material, doing a thorough job on assignments and papers, and seeking extra help if necessary.
Honesty. I expect that you will follow all University policies pertaining to academic honesty. University policies are described in your student handbook. Information on referencing and plagiarism will be made available when the project is assigned. Major violations of academic honesty will result in a failing grade for the course and may also be referred to University authorities for further action.
Consideration. I expect that you will be considerate of both me and your fellow students. This includes minimizing disruptions such as arriving late or leaving early, getting up during class, or carrying on conversations during class. If you have cell phones, please be sure that they are turned off before class begins. Please do not send or read text messages during class. Given the nature of discussions in this class, it is also important that you be respectful of others--even when you disagree with their comments.
If you act in accordance with the above, you will find me to be very understanding of special needs and more than willing to do my part to help you succeed. On the other hand, you can expect that I will impose appropriate penalties for late work, missing exams, disruptive behavior, and academic dishonesty.
I also hold myself to high professional standards. If you have
concerns with any aspect of the course, please feel free to discuss them with
me. If you ever feel that you were treated in less than a respectful
manner, please raise the issue with me.
Course Calendar:
Project proposal
due Thursday, February 18
Personal experience essay
due Thursday,
March 4
Mid-semester
examination Thursday,
March 11
Last day to drop class and receive a “W”
Tuesday, April 6
Project
due Tuesday, April 27
Last class
meeting Tuesday, May 4
Final examination Wednesday, May 5, 2-4 PM
COURSE OUTLINE
Note: This course outline is a projected schedule and may be modified at the discretion of the instructor and/or in response to class interest and current events. Specific reading and written assignments will be posted on the course web site.
Week Topic(s)
Jan. 18 Rethinking History: Martin Luther King, Jr.
Jan. 25 Rethinking History: Martin Luther King, Jr.
Organizational Material
Introduction to Race and Ethnic Relations
Basic Concepts: Ethnicity/Nationality
Feb. 1 Ethnic Change vs. Assimilation
Panethnicity, Optional Ethnicity
Feb. 8 Race: Challenging Myths
Feb. 15 Racial Identities/Whiteness
Color Blind Racial Ideology
Feb. 22 Color Blind Racial Ideology
Racial Ideologies
Mar. 1 Racial Ideologies and Racism
Color Blind Racial Ideology
Mar. 8 Color Blind Racial Ideology
Ethnicity and Race as Personal Experience
Mid-semester Examination
Mar. 15 Spring Break
Mar. 22 Historical Perspectives
Mar. 29 Civil Rights Movement
Apr. 5 Racial Stratification
Everyday Racism
Apr. 12 Racial Stratification: Explanations and Policies
Segregation
Apr. 19 Segregation
Current Issues
Apr. 26 Current Issues/Future of Race and Ethnicity
Current Issues/Combating
Racism
May 3 Combating Racism
Final Examination (Wednesday, May 5, 2-4 PM)