Blacks in the American Political System
GOVT 259
Spring 2008 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. |
Essential Capabilities:
None |
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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