SOC 142 - Race and Ethnic Relations

SOC 2215.
Description: Contemporary racial and ethnic intergroup relations emphasizing cultural origins, developments, and problems of minority groups in the United States.

Prerequisites: Reading Proficiency.

Credits: 3
Lecture: 3
Course Content:

1. Culture, ethnicity and class:

a. Characteristics of a minority group
b. Sociology and study of minority groups
c. Subordinate group status
d. Assimilation
e. Pluralism

     2. Prejudice and discrimination:

a. Theories
b. Stereotypes
c. Black self-hatred: myth or reality
d. Institutional discrimination
e. Affirmative action

     3. Ethnic and religious source of conflict:

a. Immigration and the United States
b. Ethnic diversity
c. Religious pluralism
d. Social class

     4. Racial and ethnic minority groups in the United States:

a. Native Americans
b. Black Americans
c. Hispanic Americans
d. Asian-Americans
e. Jewish-Americans

     5. Other patterns of dominance:

a. Gender roles and gender identity
b. Women: the oppressed majority
c. Multiple jeopardy: Minority women and aging

     6. Beyond the United States:

a. Comparative cultures
b. Contemporary trends

 
Learning Outcomes:

1. Compare how the ideologies of assimilation, cultural pluralism and conflict theory have influenced the experiences of ethical and culturally diverse populations. 
2. Capture the development of a subordinate group status relationship and the consequences of minority group status. 
3. Evaluate the structural, economic and personality effects of prejudice and discrimination and how these factors perpetuate social inequalities among racial/minority groups.
4. Illustrate the concepts of institutional discrimination and its impact on minority groups. 
5. Synthesize the social issues and problems that perpetuate ethnic and religious conflict.
6. Explain the concept of religious pluralism.
7. Identify cultural elements that are unique to racial/ethnic minority groups.
8. Review the histories of each of the minority groups in the United States.

1. Demonstrate thoughtful and precise writing skills by completing at least 1500 words of monitored writing.