SOC 256 : Race and Ethnicity in the Contemporary United States
This course explores the social structural forces and the psycho-social dynamics influencing contemporary U.S. race and ethnic relations, cultural identities, and cross-cultural perceptions. Particular emphasis is on social inequality in education, work, income, housing, healthcare, the media, sports, crime and the judicial system. Groups of particular interest included Native Americans, African Americans, Asian American and Latino Americans. Additionally, issues of immigrant and refugee populations dislocated due to poverty, environmental stresses and civil disorders are examined. Prerequisite(s): A passing score on the College's writing and reading placement tests or, C or better or concurrent enrollment in ENG 091 or ENG 092. Three lecture hours per week.
Gen. Ed. Competencies Met: Ethical Dimensions, Global and Historic Awareness and Multicultural and Social Perspectives.
Course Outcomes
1. Evaluate race and ethnicity as socially constructed categories and explore how these categories are created and maintained.
2. Analyze racial and ethnic inequalities as structural rather than as individual phenomena.
3. Identify the ways in which race and ethnicity intersect with social class and gender.
4. Analyze the social, economic, environmental and policy factors that shape the systems of racial/ethnic inequalities.