Courses
Pol Sci 205: Introduction to Racial and Ethnic Minorities in American Politics
This course is about the continuing importance of race and ethnicity in American politics, and the politics (historical, legal, attitudinal, and behavioral) of four of the United States’ principal racial minority groups– Blacks (African Americans), Latinos, Asians and American Indians. The course will describe and analyze how the structures of the American political system and its present operation seriously disadvantage blacks, Latinos, Asian Americans and Indian peoples as they attempt to gain the full benefits of American society. Other aspects of the black, Latino, Asian and Indian peoples experience will be discussed to give a more balanced perspective of black, Latino, Asian and Indian peoples participation in the American political arena.
The course will also be concerned with the role of black/Latino/Asian/Indian pressure groups, black/Latino/Asian participation in political parties, the influence of political structures on black/Latino/Asian representation, and the relationship of blacks/Latinos/Asians to bureaucracy at all levels of government. Also, within the urban context, the increasing tensions between blacks, Latinos, and Asians will be analyzed.
Pol Sci 216: Film, Race and Politics
This course is designed to provide a broad overview of the salience of race in American politics and film, and how film structures black, Latino, Asian-American, American Indian and white attitudes on a number of cultural, political and policy dimensions. Hyatt and Sanders (1984) state that in many instances “. . . film reflects the society from which it comes.” It has also been said that the public image portrayed in film has the power to shape race relations. Through selected films we will develop an increased understanding of the cultural, economic, political, and ideological contexts of racial politics in the United States and the ways in which these contexts have evolved over time.
The course will also explore a number of questions related to the historical relationship among Hollywood, film and racial politics in the United States. How has the reaction to certain films resulted in political mobilization among various racial and ethnic minority groups? How do film portrayals of racial and ethnic minorities reinforce or undercut racial stereotypes? Do films provide valuable insights into the social and political attitudes of the times in which they were made? Specifically, what do films say about the social and political dynamics in society writ large? What is the relationship between myth and reality in Hollywood’s portrayal of politics? Are these films a reflection of the values of their time? If so, what values are identified? Films can provide valuable insights into the social and political attitudes of the times in which they were made.
Pol Sci 505S: Race in Comparative Perspective
This course explores the comparative way race is socially constructed in the United States, several European, Latin American, and selected other countries in the world. At times, we will also examine the concept of ethnicity within race and within these countries. In addition, we will examine the historical context in which the notion of race developed, and the very real effects of this social construction on the social and political lives of communities of color in these countries. Race as a defining characteristic is present in many countries; unfortunately, we are only able to explore a few. Nevertheless, you should think about and explore notions of race in countries that we do not cover. The material in the course falls under the emerging subfield of race and politics known as comparative race.
Pol Sci 525S: Race and American Politics
The definition and meaning of race have been, and continue to be, shaped by U.S. political and legal institutions. Hence, politics and race in the United States have been inextricably intertwined. The course focuses on the continued salience of race in American politics, and its influence on white and black political attitudes and behavior, and on the behavior and attitudes on Latinos and Asian Americans. Attention is paid to the historical context in which the concept of race and race relations developed, as well as the current context in which racial dynamics are played out. We will also explore the theoretical frameworks useful for studying white and black political attitudes and behaviors and black and Latino politics. The course will provide a broad overview of the salience of race in the American political fabric and how it structures racial attitudes on several political dimensions.
Ralph Bunche Summer Institute
The definition and meaning of race have been, and continue to be, shaped by U.S. political and legal institutions. Hence, politics and race in the United States have been inextricably intertwined. The course focuses on the continued salience of race in American politics, and its influence on white and black political attitudes and behavior, and on the behavior and attitudes, where information is available, on Latinos. Attention is paid to the historical context in which the concept of race and race relations developed, as well as the current context in which racial dynamics are played out. We will also explore the theoretical frameworks useful for studying white and black political attitudes and behaviors and black and Latino politics. The course will provide a broad overview of the salience of race in the American political fabric and how it structures racial attitudes on a number of political and policy dimensions.
While the racial paradigm in the United States has expanded beyond black and white, and research on the politics of Latinos, American Indians, and Asian Americans is growing, the predominance of the research on the salience of race and American politics focuses on the black and white paradigm. Where literature exists on the attitudes of Latinos, Asian Americans, and American Indians, it is included.
