Class time: 2-3:15 pm Tuesdays and Thursdays
Class meets: 202 Parkinson

Required Textbooks:
Richard T. Schaefer. 2002. Racial and Ethnic Groups. (8th ed.). New Jersey: Prentice Hall. ISBN:013097854X

Detailed Course Description:
The United States is an increasingly diverse society as witnessed by the changing demographics of race and ethnic relations. White-ethnics, who have historically been the majority, will be in the minority in 2038. Latinos will surpass African Americans as the most numerous minority about that same time. It is getting harder to think of American racial issues in terms of “black and white”. To be effective citizens, all students will need exposure to the sociology, history, and culture of a variety of ethno-racial groups. Further, it is important for citizens in this increasing global society to understand how gender and class may shape people’s experiences of race-ethnicity. Along with the academic content, the course will also focus on providing students with skills for effective communicating on these topics. Among the substantive areas covered will be the history of the European immigration, the process of identity formation among ethno-racial groups and its contribution to processes of prejudice and discrimination among all groups, and the economic and political contexts of racism.

Student Learning Objectives:
•Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of historical, socioeconomic, and political demographics of various racial/ethnic groups in the United States.

•Students will be able to apply such sociological concepts as assimilation, pluralism, ascribed and achieved status, prejudice and discrimination to the past and present experiences of these ethnic/racial groups.

•Students will be able to demonstrate critical thinking and understanding about different theories and perspectives pertaining to race, class, gender, and sexuality.

• Apply sociological concepts for the analysis of race and ethnicity to personal and/or familial experience.
Ground Rules for this Course:

1) Acknowledge that racism, sexism, classism, and homophobia exist.

2) Acknowledge that one of the meanings of racism/sexism is that we have been systematically taught misinformation about our own group and especially members of other groups.

3) We cannot be blamed for the misinformation we have learned, but we will be held responsible for repeating misinformation after we have learned otherwise.

4) Victims are not to be blamed for their oppression.

5) We will assume that people are always doing the best they can.

6) We will actively pursue information about our own groups and those of others.

7) We will share information about our own groups with other members of the class and we will NEVER demean, devalue, or in any way “put down” people for their experiences.

8) We each have an obligation to actively combat the myths and stereotypes about our own groups and other groups so that we can break down the walls which prohibit group cooperation and group gain.

9) We want to create a safe atmosphere for open discussion. Thus, at times, members of the class may wish to make a comment that they do not want repeated outside of the classroom. If so, the student will preface her or his remarks with a request and the class will agree not to repeat the remarks.

(Ground rules 1-9 by Lynn Weber, Center for Research on Women, University of Memphis, TN 38152)

Classroom Etiquette:

Plagiarism: You should be aware of plagiarism in every paper or assignment you write. Any time you use the ideas of someone else you must give them credit. You should put quotation marks around all direct quotations and cite the author at the end of the passage. If you are unsure of the proper way to do this see me before you turn in any work. Any work that has been plagiarized will receive a failing grade and may be turned into the university as a violation of the student code of conduct.

Cheating/Copying: Do not cheat or copy from another student. Cheating and/or copying will result in a failing grade.

Attendance: Because I believe that students learn the most from other student’s experiences, attendance will be required. You cannot learn from others (including me) if you are not here. If you have to miss class, notify me BEFORE the absence. If you have to miss because of sickness, please see me. Other absences will be decided on a case-by-case basis.
I highly value seeing your faces in class. On five days (known only to me) during the semester I will take attendance and people who are there will receive extra credit points. Attendance may be taken by quiz, test, roll call or other method.

Missed Work: Late papers or work will not be accepted in this course. Any deadlines regarding written work or student meetings will be announced in advance of due dates. It should not be assumed that you will be given make-up exams if you miss a test day. Exams missed because of serious illness, death in the family, or other serious emergencies (automobile breakdowns do not qualify), require informing me within 24 hours of the class meeting missed. Work can only be turned in late if you have a reasonable excuse for your absences. This means a doctor’s excuse or other official document. At that time, appropriate measures will be discussed to complete the course requirements. Otherwise, failure to show up for an exam on the scheduled day will result in the score of a zero.

Assignments: Any assigned work to be turned in must be typed or word-processed. Handwritten work will not be accepted in this course. Please use a spell check.

Incompletes: Incompletes are not automatically available in this course. To be eligible for an incomplete you must (1) have completed the majority of course work, (2) be earning a passing grade, (3) be able to document a reason beyond your control that you cannot complete the work in the allotted time, and (4) make formal arrangement with me for when you plan to make up the course work. The reason for the incomplete must be a situation beyond your control. Suddenly realizing that you have spent too much time slacking off during the semester and this class might threaten your graduation status or your GPA is not something beyond your control.

I will be available during office hours or by appointment. I am here to help you. If you have any questions please feel free to drop by or send me an email. Email is often the easiest way to reach me. I check it often, even during the weekend. I am happy to answer any questions that you might have.

Evaluation Methods and Grading Criteria:
Three tests, announced and unannounced quizzes, a paper, and homework assignments will determine the course grade.

Exams: (100 pts. each) There will be two term exams and a final exam. Exams may consist of a combination of multiple choice, true/false, matching, identification, and essay questions. The exams will cover chapters from the textbooks, lectures, and any other materials handed out during the course of the semester. Exams are worth 100 points each and the final exam will be comprehensive, covering all course material.

Paper: This will be on a topic of your own choice. Topic suggestions will be given and must be approved by me. It will be 6-8 pages long, typed, double spaced, and 12 pt. Times new roman font. Must include a bibliography and cited according to ASA (American Sociological Association) style. More details will be given at a later date.

Quizzes: given throughout the semester (10pts each)

Homework assignments: given thought the semester
Details and point values given in class

Extra Credit: I like to make extra credit available to the entire class. From time to time I will announce an event (certain movies, university function, speakers, displays, etc.). Taking part in the event (viewing the movie, listening to the speaker, etc.) and providing me with a one page (minimum) report on the event will qualify to earn the extra points. The report must include a) what the event was about, b) personal reaction to the event, and c) relation to class materials. (Maximum of 5) Any function that you may know about and pertains to the class, please let the class know.

Test 1 = 100
Test 2 = 100
Final Exam = 100
Paper = 100
5 Quizzes = 50
Homework assignments = 50
Total = 500

This course will not be graded on a curve. I use a standard 90%, 80%, 70%, 60% scale
A = (500-450)
B = (449-400)
C = (399-350)
D = (349 – 300)
F = (299 and below)

Tentative course schedule: Please have reading done BEFORE class to facilitate in discussion. I reserve the right to make adjustments as needed to this schedule.

Week 1 - January 14, 16
Introduction
Chapter 1, Understanding Race and Ethnicity

Week 2 – January 21, 23: Perspectives on Racial and Ethnic Groups.
Chapter 2: Prejudice

Week 3 – January 28, 30: Perspectives on Racial and Ethnic Groups (cont’d) Chapter 3: Discrimination

Week 4 – February 4, 6: Ethnic and Religious Sources of Conflict
Chapter 4: Immigration and the United States

Week 5 – February 11, 13: Ethnic and Religious Sources of Conflict (cont’d) Chapter 5: Ethnicity and Religion
Test 1: February 13

Week 6 – February 18, 20: Major Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups in the United States Chapter 6: The Native Americans

Week 7 – February 25, 27: Major Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups in the United States (cont’d)
Chapter 7: The Making of African American in White America

Week 8 – March 4, 6: Major Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups in the United States (cont’d)
Chapter 8: African Americans Today

Spring Break: March 8 – 16 No class

Week 9 – March 18, 20: Major Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups in the United States (cont’d)
Chapter 9: Hispanic Americans

Week 10 – March 25, 27: Major Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups in the United States (cont’d)
Chapter 10: Mexican Americans and Puerto Ricans
Test 2: March 27

Week 11 – April 1, 3: Major Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups in the United States (cont’d)
Chapter 11: Asians Americans

Week 12 – April 8, 10: Major Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups in the United States (cont’d)
Chapter 12: Chinese Americans and Japanese Americans

Week 13 – April 15, 17: Major Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups in the United States (cont’d)
Chapter 13: Jewish Americans

Week 14 – April 22, 24: Other Patterns of Dominance
Chapter 14: Women
Paper due: April 24

Week 15 – April 29 – May 1 Summary, Conclusions and a Look at the Future
Chapter 16: Overcoming Exclusion

Week 16 – Final Exam

Thursday May 8, 8-10 pm