Course Outline for Sociology 3
Introduction to Race and Ethnicity

Effective: Fall 2022
SLO Rev: 12/21/2016
Catalog Description:

SOCI 3 - Introduction to Race and Ethnicity

3.00 Units

Analysis of racial and ethnic relations in the United States. Includes race, ethnicity, racism, prejudice, discrimination and stereotyping, as well as theories and patterns of intergroup relations. Focus on: African Americans, Chicanx/Latinx, Asian Americans, and Native Americans.
Strongly Recommended: SOCI 1.
2208.00 - Sociology
Optional
Type Units Inside of Class Hours Outside of Class Hours Total Student Learning Hours
Lecture 3.00 54.00 108.00 162.00
Total 3.00 54.00 108.00 162.00
Measurable Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. identify the major concepts and theories in the study of race and ethnicity including the social construction of race;
  2. explain sociological theories that examine prejudice, discrimination, segregation, assimilation, and pluralism;
  3. identify the major U.S. racial/ethnic groups , describe their characteristics involvement in America's institutions including political, economic, education;
  4. identify intersections of race, ethnicity, class, gender, and other locations of identity;
  5. describe the patterns of racial and ethnic interaction
  6. make sociological predictions as to the future of U.S. race relations explaining key independent variables and their probable consequences;
  7. Evaluate debates on current socio-political racial and ethnic issues such as affirmative action, immigration policies, criminal justice policies, and the future of race and ethnic relations.
Course Content:
  1. Definitions and theories of
    1. Race, racism, and ethnicity 
    2. Biological and socio-cultural construction of race and ethnicity
  2. Sociological history of U.S. race relations
    1. Historical and contemporary landscape of minority-majority relations 
    2. Race relations in the 19th and 20th centuries
    3. Race relations in the 21 century
  3. Prejudice, discrimination, and racism 
    1. Major theories
    2. Interpersonal and institutional
  4. Patterns of racial and ethnic interaction including: 
    1. Scapegoating, immigration, colonialism 
    2. Assimilation, integration, pluralism 
  5. Institutional inequalities, topics may vary, may include
    1. Educational inequalities
    2. Economic inequalities
    3. Race and the media
  6. Intersections of race, ethnicity, class, gender, and sexuality
  7. Immigration and racial politics
    1. Historical events
    2. Contemporary events
  8. Race and ethnic economic inequality
    1. Economic conditions
    2. Political conditions 
  9. Racialized and ethnic violence and genocide
    1. Historical events
    2. Contemporary events
  10. U.S. racial and ethnic identity and politics of groups such as:
    1. African Americans
    2. Chicanx/Latinx
    3. Asian Americans and Pacific Islander
    4. Native Americans
    5. Arab Americans
    6. Euro Americans
    7. Multiracial Americans
Methods of Instruction:
  1. Audio - visual aids
  2. Lecture/Discussion
  3. Presentation
  4. Group Activities
  5. Distance Education
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
  1. Write a discussion post analyzing the categories of race used in the U.S. Census and it's relevance to the social construction of race. Write a reply to two students in the course.
  2. Analyze a film and write a paper on a racial and ethnic social movement, such as the Civil Rights Movement, the Chicano Movement, Asian American Rights Movement, or the Native American Rights movement.
  3. Write a research report on a relevant topic approved by the instructor. Minimum five pages with at least four references.
  4. Prepare for essay: describe Robert Blauner's model of internal colonialism and explain its applicability to understanding U.S. racial minorities.
  1. Exams/Tests
  2. Quizzes
  3. Papers
  4. Projects
  5. Reports
  6. Final Examination
Upon the completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. Explain the concept of race as a social construction.
  2. Compare and contrast the concepts of race and ethnicity, illustrating various contemporary arguments on these as evolving concepts.
  3. Explain historical and contemporary events as they relate to different racial/ethnic groups in the United States.
Textbooks (Typical):
  1. Fitzgerald, Kathleen J. (2020). Recognizing Race and Ethnicity: Power, Privilege, and Inequality (3rd). Westview Press.
  2. Gutierrez, J., S. Johnson, C. Ramos, L. Rodriguez, J. Tsuhako (2021). Race and Ethnic Relations in the U.S.: An Intersectional Approach ASCCC Open Educational Resources Initiative .
Abbreviated Class Schedule Description:
Analysis of racial and ethnic relations in the United States from a sociological perspective.
Strongly Recommended: SOCI 1.
Discipline:
Sociology*