Political Science 825
Professor Marquez
263-2389
Fall Semester 2009
403 North Hall
RACE AND POLITICS IN THE UNITED STATES
This course is designed to introduce the core concepts and debates in the field of racial and
ethnic politics. Research on race and politics can be found across all areas of political science. It
is also a sub discipline where scholars rely on research conducted in other fields. Hence, the
schedule of readings will reflect the broad, interdisciplinary nature of the sub field. This
graduate seminar will cover three themes. The first is the issue of race and how it has been
conceptualized in the social science literature. The Second is the ways in which economic
developments have structured race relations. Finally we will analyze strategies employed by
people of color to achieve political power and create change.
The following books are on reserve and have been ordered for purchase at The Rainbow Book
Cooperative:
Stephen Bender. Greasers and Gringos: Latinos, Law, and the American Imagination.
Lisa Garcia Bedolla. Fluid Borders: Latino Power, Identity, and Politics in Los Angeles.
Lawrence Bobo and Mia Tuan. Prejudice in Politics: Group Position, Public Opinion, and the
Wisconsin Treaty Rights Dispute.
David Canon. Race, Redistricting and Representation.
Robert Lieberman. Shaping Race Policy: The United States in Comparative Perspective.
Douglas McAdam. Political Process and the Black Protest Movement, 1958-1970.*
Douglas S. Massey, ed. New Faces in New Places: The Changing Geography of American
Immigration.*
Roediger, David. Working Toward Whiteness: How America’s Immigrants Became White.
Mark Warren. Dry Bones Rattling: Community Building to Revitalize American Democracy.**
Byron Shafer and Richard Johnston. The End of Southern Exceptionalism.
Katherine Cramer Walsh. Talking About Race: Community Dialogues and the Politics of
Difference.
William J. Wilson. More Than Just Race: Being Black and Poor in the Inner City.
Items marked with * on reserve only. Items marked with ** will involve substantial reading but
not the entire book. Other readings TBA.
Course Requirements
I.
Class Participation
Everyone is expected to read the assigned materials by the day of the seminar and be
prepared to participate in discussions. You will also be asked to begin the discussion in
one class of your choice. I will have you sign up for these after the first class meeting.
II.
Six Paper Assignments
a. A 20-page paper that addresses an issue raised in class. You will be asked to define
the problem, review the state of knowledge in the field, and then make a proposal for
future research. Please drop by my office to talk about your paper at your earliest
convenience. The term paper is due on the last scheduled class meeting.
b. Five (5) three to four page reaction papers. You may choose which weeks you will
write these papers, but I encourage you to spread them throughout the course. A hard
copy of your reaction paper is due at 9:00 am Monday. In addition, students should post
their papers to the class list via email attachment (polisci825-1-f09@lists.wisc.edu) so
that we all have access to them. Given the late start to this semester a reaction paper will
be due on 14 September 2009 prior to the first class meeting
The course grade will be determined as follows:
Class Participation.…… 25%
Research Paper……….. 50%
Reaction Papers............. 25% (5% each)
Office Hours:
Wednesday 10:00 to 12:00 and by appointment in 403 North Hall. I can be reached via
email at marquez@polisci.wisc.edu
Please feel free to make an appointment to see me or drop by during my office hours. I
welcome students.
COURSE OUTLINE
Week 1: September 14. Introduction and Overview/ The Social Construction of Race
Roediger, David. Working Toward Whiteness: How America’s Immigrants Became
White.
Week 2: September 21. Race and Public Policy Formation
Robert Lieberman. Shaping Race Policy: The United States in Comparative Perspective.
Week 3: September 28. The American Civil Rights Movement
McAdam, Douglas. Political Process and the Black Protest Movement, 1958-1970.
Week 4: October 5. Politics in the Aftermath of the Civil Rights Movement
Byron Shafer and Richard Johnston. The End of Southern Exceptionalism.
Week 5: October 12. Politics in the Aftermath of the Civil Rights Movement
Guest speaker: Byron Shafer. Reading TBA.
Week 6: October 19. Critical Race Theory
Stephen Bender. Greasers and Gringos: Latinos, Law, and the American Imagination.
Week 7: October 26. Liberalism and the Promise of Incorporation
Lawrence Bobo and Mia Tuan. Prejudice in Politics: Group Position, Public Opinion,
and the Wisconsin Treaty Rights Dispute.
Week 8: November 2. Latinos and Identity Politics
Lisa Garcia Bedolla. Fluid Borders: Latino Power, Identity, and Politics in Los Angeles.
Week 9: November 9. Race, Immigration and Demographic Change
Douglas S. Massey, ed. New Faces in New Places: The Changing Geography of
American Immigration. (selected chapters)
Week 10: November 16. The Increasing Significance of Class.
William J. Wilson. More Than Just Race: Being Black and Poor in the Inner City.
Week 11: November 23. Race and Representation.
David Canon. Race, Redistricting and Representation.
Week 12: November 30. Race and Representation.
Guest speaker: David Canon. Reading TBA.
Week 13: December 7. Community Organizing Beyond Race
Mark Warren. Dry Bones Rattling
Week 14: December 14. Race and the Social Welfare State
Katherine Cramer Walsh. Talking About Race.