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Race and Power: The Creation and Practice of Democracy in the United States
AFAM255 SP

Crosslistings: AMST257,HIST255

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? When have they supported discrimination? Intended primarily for sophomores and juniors who wish to commit to a program of research in the humanities and social sciences that centers on race as a category of political, social and cultural analysis. Students will meet onc e a week for a lecture and once in small seminar sections. Wednesday evenings will be devoted to films and distinguished visiting scholars. Students will also be asked to meet with visiting faculty in office hours to discuss the developing research design

MAJOR READINGS

Kathleen Brown, GOOD WIVES, NASTY WENCHES and ANXIOUS PATRIARCHS
Tomas Almaguer, RACIAL FAULT LINES
Renqiu Yu, TO SAVE CHINA, TO SAVE OURSELVES
Patricia Williams, THE ALCHEMY OF RACE AND RIGHTS

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

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

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Attendance at Wednesday evening sessions is mandatory. Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

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

Prerequisites: NONE

Last Updated on MAR-24-2000

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