Race in the contemporary United States is a complex, dynamic, "moving target" so to speak. In this seminar, we will explore the changing dimensions of the contemporary construct of race through a sociological framework. Topics to be discussed in the class this term include: race, globalization and Asian Americans, multiracial identity and the color line, mass incarceration and racial caste, race and beauty work, transnational adoption, race and sports, whiteness and social class, black immigrants & black identity, environmental racism, and the future of race in the U.S.
To explore these issues, we will read a book or collection of articles a week. Students will do weekly response papers on the readings (~ 2 pages), lead discussions, and complete a major term paper on a topic of their choice by the end of the term. In addition to covering the material in the readings, we will also begin each class with a 20-30 minute discussion of racial issues and controversies currently in the news (this term we'll probably end up discussing the 2016 election quite a bit). We'll then weave our discussion of these issues into our exploration of the readings for the week.