Blacks in the American Political System
GOVT 259
Spring 2012 not offered
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| Crosslisting:
AFAM 257 |
In this course students will examine the relationship between African Americans and the American political system to gain a broader perspective of the American political process. Issues of leadership, representation, and strategies for empowerment will be addressed. We will consider both mainstream and nontraditional forms of participation as we examine African America's quest for political empowerment. We will also consider the behavior of African Americans within political institutional settings and at various levels of government. It is hoped that this course will provide students with a structured opportunity to struggle with the issues challenging both scholars and interested citizens. What are some of the historical dynamics shaping the relationship between African Americans and the government? How much and in what situations have blacks been able to exert political influence? What are some of the alternative forms of participation that African Americans have used when traditional channels have been closed? What are some of the political psychological barriers to increased cooperation among blacks and other groups? How has the increased presence of African Americans in traditional government institutions changed the face of politics? Last, can we generalize the African American case to emerging minority groups and their prospect for political incorporation? Addressing these and other questions will be the foundation for this course. |
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Essential Capabilities:
Intercultural Literacy, Writing
This course requires critical writing assignment and discusses contemporary issues of race and its impact on the American political process. MTP
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS GOVT |
| Course Format: Seminar | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (GOVT)(GOVT-American) |
Major Readings:
The reading list will evolve once the interests and prior knowledge of the students are assessed; however, below is a list of sample readings. The course will also employ the use of documentaries, speeches and popular films to illustrate the nature of the relationship between Blacks and the government.
Dawson, Michael, BLACK VISIONS: THE ROOTS OF CONTEMPORARY AFRICAN AMERICAN POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES
Bell, Derrick, FACES AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WELL: THE PERMANENCE OF RACISM
Cohen, Cathy J., BOUNDARIES OF BLACKNESS: AIDS AND THE BREAKDOWN OF BLACK POLITICS
Morris, Aldon D., THE ORIGINS OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT
Ture and Hamilton, BLACK POWER: THE POLITICS OF LIBERATION
Hero, Rodney E., LATINOS AND THE U.S. POLITICAL SYSTEM
Parenti, Michael, "Power and Pluralism: A View from the Bottom" Journal of Politics
King, Martin Luther, WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE: CHAOS OR COMMUNITY?
Brooks, Roy L., INTEGRATION OR SEPARATION
Malcolm X., "The Ballot or the Bullet." MALCOLM X SPEAKS
Grofman, Handley, & Niemi, MINORITY REPRESENTATION AND THE QUEST FOR VOTING EQUALITY
Guinier, Lani, THE TYRANNY OF THE MAJORITY
Smith, Robert C., WE HAVE NO LEADERS
Swain, Carol, BLACK FACES, BLACK INTERESTS: THE REPRESENTATION OF AFRICAN AMERICANS IN CONGRESS
Persons, Georgia A., DILEMMA OF BLACK POLITICS
Wilbur Rich, THE POLITICS OF MINORITY COALITIONS: RACE, ETHNICITY AND SHARED UNCERTAINTY
Tate & Mansbridge, "Race Trumps Gender: Analyzing the Thomas-Hill Hearings" in PS
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Examinations and Assignments:
Midterm, group projects, research paper. |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 0 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
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