SOC 2051 - Sociology of Race and Ethnicity

Credits: 3
Hours/Week: Lecture 3 Lab None
Course Description: This course introduces students to the complexity of diverse racial/ethnic groups in the United States. It focuses on the historical development of the concept of race and the ways race is structured in a variety of social institutions.  It also addresses contemporary issues of racial formation, individual prejudice and discrimination, institutional racism and discrimination, racial/ethnic identity and collective resistance, and white privilege.
MnTC Goals
5 History/Social/Behavioral Science, 7 Human Diversity

Prerequisite(s): ENGL 1020  with a grade of C or higher OR ENGL 1021  with a grade of C or higher.
Corequisite(s): None
Recommendation: None

Major Content

1. Biology of race
2. Future of Race and Ethnicity

3. Nativism, racism, and U.S. immigration

4. Scientific constructions of race and ethnicity
5. Overview of Assimilation in America
6. Race as a social construct
7. Racial/ethnic prejudice and discrimination
8. Whiteness, white privilege, and the rise of dominant Anglo-American society

Racialization of African Americans, Native Americans, Latino/a Americans, and Asian Americans

Civil rights movements and collective resistance around race/ethnicity

Race in the criminal justice system

Racial/ethnic inequalities in social institutions

Intersections of race and ethnicity with other axes of inequality
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Distinguish between the biology and sociology of race and ethnicity.
2. Suggest solutions to move this country to full equality for all racial and ethnic groups
3. Analyze the ways in which race has been central in the history and development of the United States as a nation.

4. identify race and ethnicity as axes of inequality, along which all racial groups in society are positioned, that intersects with other axes of inequality such as sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, etc.

5. Describe the role that science played in designing a false hierarchy of racial and ethnic groups.
6. Explain sociological concepts related to the study of race and ethnicity: assimilation, prejudice, discrimination, scapegoating, etc.
7. Articulate how race shapes the experiences of individuals in the dominant (white) racial group as well as in subordinate racial groups.
8. explain how intolerance, prejudice, and stereotyping impact human behavior. (1.6.1.)
9. discuss the risks and problems associated with intolerance, insensitivity, partiality, marginalizing, and unjust application of the law for both law enforcement and community members. (1.6.2.)
10. discuss how recognizing and valuing diversity, cultural differences, and varied perspectives promote community unity, facilitates information gathering, and contribute to officer safety. (1.6.3.)
11. discuss ways officers can promote positive relationships with community members of varying races, ethnicities, national origins, immigration statuses, genders, ages, economic classes, disabilities and/or sexual orientations. (Minn. Stat. 626.8455) (1.6.4.)
12. discuss how family dynamics and communication methods, both verbal and non-verbal, vary between cultures and how recognition of these variances can benefit officers and communities. (1.6.5.)
13. discuss how impartiality and social cooperation affect community perception of law enforcement. (1.6.6.)
14. discuss culturally responsive approaches to dealing with victims and perpetrators of violence. (Minn. Stat. 626.8451., Subp. 1.a. (4)) (1.6.7.)
15. research and discuss the relationship between crime and being underprivileged. (1.6.8.)
16. discuss the diverse groups that make-up Minnesota’s communities and some of the traits unique to communities that could impact law enforcement response. (1.6.9.)

05. 03. Use and critique alternative explanatory systems or theories.

05. 04. Develop and communicate alternative explanations or solutions for contemporary social issues.
Competency 2 (7-10)
07. 01. Understand the development of and the changing meanings of group identities in the United States’ history and culture.

07. 02. Demonstrate an awareness of the individual and institutional dynamics of unequal power relations between groups in contemporary society.

07. 03. Analyze their own attitudes, behaviors, concepts and beliefs regarding diversity, racism, and bigotry.

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