Fall 2002, Section 001

Revised Reading & Presentation Schedule
Original Schedule of Readings
Access email archives
Midterm Study Guide
Final Paper Assignment
Links

NEW: Reaction Paper Assignment

Syllabus

Instructor: Betsy Erbaugh                                      Office Hrs: M 2:15-3:15pm and by appt.
Classroom: DSH 228                                                                            Office:  SSCI 1065
Class Times: Mon. & Wed. 1-2:15pm               (2nd office in Women Studies: MVH 2137)
Website: www.unm.edu/~erbaugh                          Office Phone: 277-8990/277-7535
                                                                                               Email: erbaugh@unm.edu
                                                                                          (please use email to contact me)

Course Objectives:
What are the causes of prejudice?  Does the existence of prejudice adequately account for social inequality?  Would reduction or eradication of prejudice bring about social equity?  How do power and privilege operate within the social constructs of race, ethnicity, class, (dis)ability, gender and sexual orientation?  How do we participate in these processes, and what do we do about it? In this course we will critically consider concepts, theoretical explanations and experiences of prejudice in relation to social inequality.

As an instructor, I aim to create a learning atmosphere that fosters critical and sociological thinking, writing, and discussion.  I want you as students to go beyond merely digesting other people’s ideas to actively engage with the material and to critique both commonly held assumptions and sociological theories about prejudice.

I will do everything I reasonably can to help you meet your goals in this course and to maintain a respectful classroom atmosphere.  I expect you to do the same.  Please see me or contact me by email to talk about any questions or problems you are having with the material, my presentation of it, or classroom dynamics.

Accessibility Accommodations: Any student who, because of disability, may require accommodations in order to meet course requirements should contact me as soon as possible to make necessary arrangements.  It is the responsibility of the student to request accommodations for individual learning needs.  UNM and I will make every attempt to accommodate all students with disabilities.  For further information, contact Student Support Services at (505) 277-3506.

Policy on Academic Dishonesty: Each student is expected to maintain the highest standards of honesty and integrity in academic and professional matters. The University reserves the right to take disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal, against any student who is found guilty of academic dishonesty or who otherwise fails to meet the expected standards. Any student judged to have engaged in academic dishonesty in course work may receive a reduced or failing grade for the work in question and/or for the course. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, dishonesty in quizzes, tests, or assignments; claiming credit for work not done or done by others; hindering the academic work of other students; misrepresenting academic or professional qualifications within or without the University; nondisclosure or misrepresentation in filling out applications or other University records. (UNM Pathfinder, 2002-2003)

Required Texts:
1. Rothenberg, Paula S.  2001.  Race, Class, and Gender in the United States.  5th edition.  New York: Worth Publishers.
2. Rothenberg, Paula S.  2002.  White Privilege: Essential Readings on the Other Side of Racism.  New York: Worth Publishers.

Website and email: You are required to use the web and email for this class!  There is a website for the class which you should check regularly (see address above).  The syllabus and most assignments will be on the website.  I will email you with important announcements, changes to readings, additional assignments, etc.  Questions about the course?  Please check the website first, then email me.

EXAMS: There will be two multiple choice exams during the semester (Oct. 9 and Dec. 4).  The average of the two will account for 40% of your total grade. These exams will be drawn from the readings, lectures, videos, etc. (Anything covered in readings, assignments, or class is fair game.)  Make-up exams will not follow the format of regularly scheduled tests.  Instead, any and all make-up exams will be in the form of essay questions.  Makeups will be given only if all of the following criteria are met:
    It is absolutely impossible for you to be present for the exam.
    If you know ahead of time you will not be in class the day of the exam due to an athletic event, religious observance or other obligation, you must notify me as soon as you become aware of it, and provide written documentation (from a dean, doctor, etc.).
    In case of illness or dire emergency, you must notify me (preferably by email) by 11am on the day of the exam.

PORTFOLIO: The remainder of your grade will be based on a portfolio evaluation and your participation.  On the last day of class you will turn in a complete portfolio, in a folder, containing your journal, paper proposal, outline, draft, final paper, and other assignments).

Journal: 20% of your final grade will come from a journal you will be expected to keep.  The journal is a place to catalog your thoughts about the readings, videos, and other information.  Each week you must also choose from one of the following assignments:
1) Write a one page response to a question provided in class.
2) Write a one page summary and reaction to two articles (articles you locate in a publication of your choice) related to the information covered in the course.  You must include a copy of the articles with your journal entry.

The point of journal entries is to address an issue or question critically from all sides.   Journals will be initially turned in no later than September 30 in order to assess the progress you are making.  You will receive no grade at that time, but only comments and suggestions.  The final version of your journal is to be turned in no later than December 4.

Paper Assignment:  You are to write a 5-7 page paper on a topic of your choice (one related to the material covered in the course).  You will also turn in a brief proposal, revised proposal, bibliography outline and rough draft on the dates specified in the syllabus.  Bring two copies of each to class on the dates specified, one copy for me and one to exchange with a classmate for in-class comments.  You will also meet with me once during the semester to talk about your project.  You must discuss the paper with me prior to writing it.  I will not accept papers that are not discussed with me prior to their due date.  I encourage you to provide me with a rough draft for assessment and suggestions.  The final draft of the paper is due no later than December 4.   The paper will account for 20% of your final grade.  It will be graded on timely completion (proposal, etc. as well as the final draft), use of course material, creative and independent thinking, quality of writing, and correct use (and citation) of sources.
Click HERE for details of the paper assignment.

Attendance and Participation: Given that the class will revolve around discussion of the readings, small group work, lecture, videos, and other relevant information, your attendance, preparedness, and participation are essential.  They will also account for 20% of your final grade.  Attendance will be taken randomly.  Please note that you are responsible for any and all material missed because of any absences.  Get the emails and phone numbers of a few other students in the class and if you miss a class, ask them to review what was covered and/or lend you their notes.  (Do not ask me what was covered, or if we did/will do anything important on a given day.)

Grading:   Midterm Exam:                                         20%
                 Final Paper                                                20%
                  Journal                                              20%
          New: Reaction Paper                                10%
                   Group Presentation                          10%
                  Participation and other assignments:   20%

Course Schedule: Given that dynamics and issues raised in class will likely affect the pace of the course, the following is a tentative outline of the material we will cover.  You should complete the readings by class time on the dates specified.

Readings are from Race, Class and Gender unless otherwise specified.  (RCG = Race, Class and Gender; WP = White Privilege)

Week 1
M 8/19  Review syllabus, discuss course objectives and expectations

W 8/21 The Social Construction of Difference vs Biological/Innate Explanations
Race, Class and Gender (RCG) 1-10: “Introduction,” Omi and Winant pp. 11-20: “Racial Formations,” Hubbard 45-46: “Rethinking Women’s Biology,” Messner 57-59: “Ah, Ya Throw Like a Girl!,” Hubbard 64-67: “The Social Construction of Sexuality,” Silko 211-213: “The Border Patrol State,” Bounds 240-242: “A Teenager’s Play for the Gay ‘90’s?”, Jones 243-244: “From Mother to Suspect…”

Week 2
M 8/26  Video and Discussion: Prejudice: The Eye of the Storm
Miller 86-92: “Domination and Subordination,” RCG 95-99: “Understanding Racism…,” Tatum 100-107: “Defining Racism…,” Carter 562-63: “Tracking.”

W 8/28  Making white privilege visible/Why study white privilege?
             White Privilege (WP) pp. 1-5, 9-24 (Part I), and pp. 97-101 (McIntosh, “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack”).

Week 3
M 9/2  Labor Day - No Class

W 9/4  Changing meanings of whiteness in history
            WP Part II (pp. 29-84)

Week 4
M 9/9  The power of privilege
            WP Part III (pp. 89-110), RCG 152-161: Hurtado, “The Color of Privilege.”

W 9/11  Mixed race issues; anti-Asian racism--Guest Lecturer Laura Fugikawa
              Pryce 361-363: “Black Latina,” Arboleda 420-424: “Race is a Four-Letter Word,” RCG 483-488: “Korematsu v. US,” Kochiyama 343-350: “Then Came the War,” Sethi 108-116: “Smells Like Racism,” Ragaza 209-210: “I Don’t Count…,” Shah 351-353: “Asian American?”

Week 5
M 9/16  Video and discussion: The Color of Fear Part I
Hess et al 324-334: “Racial and Ethnic Minorities…,” Navarro 363-366: “Latinos Gain Visibility…” Stout 205-206: “3 Blacks Win $1 Million in Eddie Bauer Store Incident,” Dedman 228-231: “Study Discerns Disadvantage for Blacks in Home Mortgages.”
Paper proposal due

W 9/18  Video and discussion: The Color of Fear Part II
From White Privilege: Tatum pp. 115-120: “Breaking the Silence.”  From RCG: Tilove 119-124: “Racial Relations…,” Wood 367-373: “What I Learned About Jews.”

Week 6
M 9/23  Race and the law.  RCG 427-447, 457-482, 488-490

W 9/25  Internalized racism, hegemony
              Wright 21-30: “The Ethics of Living Jim Crow,” RCG 507-510: “Maintaining… Hierarchies…,” Chafe 535-548: “Sex and Race,” Snyder 511-517: “Self-Fulfilling Stereotypes.”

Week 7
M 9/30  Intersections: Race, Ethnicity and Gender
Video and discussion: The Way Home Part I
“Marable 124-129: “Racism and Sexism,” Cofer 356-360: “The Myth of the Latin Woman.”
Turn in journals for progress review

W 10/2  Video and discussion: The Way Home Part II
              Mohanty 336-342: “On Being South Asian in North America,” Shaheen 353-355: “TV Arabs,” Purdy 231-232: “Where Laborers are Handy…”

Week 8
M 10/7  Intersections: Race, Ethnicity and Class
“The Foot Analysis:” A Grassroots Analysis of Social Inequality
  Jordan 385-388: “Requiem for the Champ.”

W 10/9   Exam 1

Week 9
M 10/14 Sex vs gender, gender socialization
 Lorber 47-55: “The Social Construction of Gender,” Bem 60-63: “In a Male-Centered World…,” Sadker and Sadker 556-561: “Failing at Fairness,” Bornstein 401-403: “Her Son/Daughter.”

W 10/16 Patriarchy
 Johnson 129-137: “Patriarchy,” Frye 139-143: “Oppression,” Sabo 373-376: “Pigskin, Patriarchy, and Pain,” RCG 448-457, 483, 493-496.
 Revised paper proposal and bibliography due

Week 10
M 10/21 Gender & economy
Wozencraft 199-202: “Gender Bias on Wall Street,” Tyson 207-208: “Another Day, Another 75 Cents,” Myerson 220-222: “Supermarket Chain…,” Raab 234-238: “Lawsuits…,” 238: “No Means No,” Myerson 251-52: “Home Depot Pays $87.5 Million…,” RCG 292-304: “The Wage Gap.”

W 10/23 Gender & violence
Pharr 143-152: “Homophobia as a Weapon of Sexism,” Shange 383-384: “With No Immediate Cause,” Sanday 549-555: “Pulling Train.”

Week 11
M 10/28 Heterosexism and homophobia
Katz 67-77: “The Invention of Heterosexuality,” Lefevere 233-234: “Lesbians and Gays Banned…,” Copeland 388-392: “Out of the Closet…,” Mohr 517-522: “Anti-Gay Stereotypes.”

W 10/30 Guest Speaker Clark Vivio
Allen 216-218: “Doctor Refuses to Treat Lesbian,” Brooke 203-205: “Homophobia Often Found in Schools,” Avicolli, 377-382: “He Defies You Still.”

Revised Reading Schedule for Weeks 12-14:

Week 12
M 11/4 In-Class Exercise
RCG 494-496, Bowers v. Hardwick, Ettelbrick 497-505: “Confronting Obstacles to Lesbian and Gay Equality,” Bronski 627-629: “Confronting Anti-Gay Violence.”

W 11/6 Disability
Klein 403-409: “’We Are Who You Are,’” Griscom 410-419: “The Case of Sharon Kowalski and Karen Thompson.”

Week 13
M 11/11 What is Class?
Mantsios 168-180: “Class in America,” RCG 253-256, Johnson 273-277: “Family Struggles…,” Johnson 398-401: “When Money is Everything…”

W 11/13  In-Class Exercise
Mantsios 563-571: “Media Magic,” Sklar 257-65: “Imagine a Country,” Sklar et al 267-272: “The Growing Wealth Gap.”
Paper outline due

Week 14
M 11/18 Albelda & Tilly 305-314: “Women, Income and Poverty,” Newman 315-318: “What Scholars Can Tell Politicians about the Poor,” Mantsios 563-571: “Media Magic,” Ryan 572-582: “Blaming the Victim.”

Readings from 11/20 on TBA.

W 12/4
  PORTFOLIO DUE