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Academic Year 2005/2006

Race and Power: The Creation and Practice of Democracy in the United States
AFAM 255 FA
Crosslistings:
AMST 257
HIST 255

This course will explore the seemingly paradoxical relationship between democratic ideals and racial inequalities over the course of United States history. Central questions of the course include: What is race, and how has it been invested with different meanings as knowledge itself changes? How has race been the basis for inclusion in and exclusion from rights and privileges? How effectively have constitutional law and judicial structures intervened in patterns of discrimination? We will compare the state's treatment of blacks, Latinos, Asians, and Native Americans. When have they supported discrimination? Students will meet once a week for a lecture and once in a seminar discussion section. Wednesday evenings have been reserved for films and visiting speakers.

MAJOR READINGS

Possible Readings:
Tomas Almaguer, RACIAL FAULT LINES
Maria Garcia, HAVANA, USA
Mary Dudziak, COLD WAR, CIVIL RIGHTS
Henry Yu, THINKING ORIENTALS: MIGRATION, CONTACT, AND EXOTICISM IN MODERN AMERICA
Ian Haney Lopez, WHITE BY LAW
John Okada, NO-NO BOY
Vijay Prashad, THE KARMA OF BROWN FOLKS
George Lipsitz, THE POSSESSIVE INVESTMENT IN WHITENESS
Gregory Williams, LIFE ON THE COLOR LINE

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Two short papers based on primary documents, a written midterm examination, a graded oral presentation, and a group research proposal submitted at the end of the course.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Attendance at Wednesday evening sessions is mandatory.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: SBS AFAM    Grading Mode: Graded   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-30-2006

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