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Dr. Ricky K. Green

Ethnic Studies 100: Ethnic America

Spring Semester 2008

Professor: Ricky K. Green

Office: Amador 562A

Office Hours M 9-10:00 T/R 1:30-2:50

Phone: 278-3359

E-mail: greenr@csus.edu

An introduction to the ethnic group experience in the United States through an interdisciplinary understanding of ethnic history, politics, and group development. During the semester students will focus on the experiences of African Americans, Asian-Americans, Chicanos/Mexican-Americans, and Native Americans. We will examine themes common and distinct to ethnic groups and will attempt to reconstruct the various contributions of ethnic groups to institutional life in the United States.

Course Objectives

To develop a sophisticated understanding of American society and the roles that non-European groups play in shaping this society.

To develop an appreciation for interdisciplinary pursuits of knowledge.

To develop an understanding of the concept of ethnicity.

To develop a sophisticated understanding of the several factors, e.g., historical, institutional, cultural, economic, and etc., which shape the social realities of major non-European groups in the U.S.

To encourage students to become intellectually involved in problem solving.

To develop writing skills to the level where students can express their comprehension of the subject in a clear, intelligent and coherent fashion.

Assignments and Grading

First Paper 25 percent (5-6 pages)

Second Paper 30 percent (6-7 pages)

Final Paper 35 percent (7-8 pages),

Class attendance/participation 10 percent

Required Texts:

Ethnicity and Race, Stephen Cornell

The Meaning of Difference, Rosenblum

Selected Readings in CSUS Electronic Database (JSTOR) and Reserve Book Room

Assignments

Section One: Understanding

Ethnicity

Weeks One and Two

Ethnicity and Race, chapter 1-2

“Socio Cultural Roots of Ethnic Identity” JSTOR

Week Three

Ethnicity and Race, Chapter 3 and 4

Meaning of Difference, 38-98

Paper Due: February 22

Section Two (Ethnicity and Conflict)

Weeks Four and Five

Ethnicity and Race, Chapter 5

*Horowitz, “The Dimensions of Ethnic Conflict” 3-54”

“Immigrants, Immigrant Neighborhoods, and Ethnic Identity” JSTOR

Weeks Six and Seven

Race and Ethnicity, Chapter 6

Race and Ethnicity, Chapter 7

The Meaning of Difference, 203-208, 221-273

*Red Earth, White Lies

Weeks Eight and Nine

*West, Cornell, "Beyond Eurocentrism"

*”Liberal Retreat from Race during the Post Civil Rights Era”

Weeks Ten

“It’s Not Steps Anymore, but More Like Shuffling” JSTOR

The Meaning of Difference, 307-436

Paper Due: April 4th

Section Three (Ethnic Empowerment)

Weeks Eleven and Twelve

"Narrative, Free Space and Political Leadership in Social Movements" JSTOR

*Cultural Politics of the White Ethnic-class in the mid nineties

”Ethnic Pluralism and Civic Responsibility”—JSTOR

*Warrior for Gringostroika

*Race Rebels

*Cho, "Overcoming Our Legacy," 253-273

*Outlaw Culture, 125-143

Weeks Thirteen through Fifteen

”The Interface between Ethnic and National Attachment”—JSTOR

*Gendered Citizenship, 58-79

*Chrenshaw, pp.402-436

*The Heat is On, 275-294

“Race, Sociopolitical Participation and Black Empowerment” JSTOR

Paper Due: Last Day of Finals

Ethnic Studies 100: Ethnic America

Second Paper Assignment: Spring 2008

Ethnic conflict within the United States is a phenomenon which can be analyzed historically. Federal and/or state government policy is meant to manage ethnic conflict. Using any appropriate readings describe the success and failure of assimilation as a policy meant to manage ethnic conflict. Using any appropriate readings accomplish the same with integration. You might want to pay particular attention to Horowitz’s article, “The Dimensions of Ethnic Conflict.” Also the theories of ethnicity developed in Cornell may prove useful.

6-7 pages double spaced, 1-inch margins, bibliography and citations. Due one week from today.

Last updated: 02/18/2008