Sociology 3-20: Minority Group Relations
2007
Mondays, 6:40-9:30pm
Jennifer L. Altenhofel, PhD
jaltenhofel@taft.org
Taft College, Fall
DH 01
Course Goals
This course is a broad introduction to minority group relations in the United States. From a sociological
viewpoint, it examines the historical experiences, contemporary circumstances and future expectations
for the country’s major racial, ethnic, religious, and gender minority groups. In addition, minority
groups defined by age, disabilities, and sexual preference are explored.
Required Reading
Joseph F. Healey, Diversity and Society, Race, Ethnicity and Gender, Pine Forge Press, 2007
You will need the above book for this course. It is available in the Taft College Bookstore for rent.
A student study site for this text is available at www.pineforge.com.
Course Requirements
Reading Responses
In-class Assignments
Quizzes
Final Exam
Total Points
11 @ 15 points each
11 @ 10 points each
4 @ 30 points each
165
110
120
100
495
Course Grades are earned, not given.
A: 495-445 points earned
B: 444-396 points earned
C: 395-346 points earned
D: 345-297 points earned
F: 296-0 points earned
Reading Response:
At the end of each chapter there is a section titled “Questions for Review and Study”. You will answer 3
out of the 5 questions and turn these in the class we discuss this chapter. For example, we are discussing
Chapter 1 on September 10 so your answers to the questions on p 23 for Chapter 1 are due at the
beginning of class on Sep 10 and so forth. You will answer 3 out of 5 questions for Chapters 1-11. (You
do not have to complete questions for chapter 12).
These must be typed, double spaced in a font no bigger than 12. Be sure the question you include the
number and text of the question you are answering. Late work will be accepted for half credit.
In-class Assignments
Toward the end of each class, I will give an in-class assignment that we may complete as a group project
or as an individual project. The in-class assignment will vary for each class and you must be present to
do the assignment and earn the points. No make-up in-class assignments are given.
Policy on Academic Fraud
Plagiarism, copying or initiating the language, ideas and/or thoughts of another author and passing them
off as one's original work.--This means do not copy words, phrases or ideas from a website, book or
other print media. There is no need to research for exams or essays outside of the course materials.
Plagiarism, Fraud, deceit, trickery, sharp practice or breach of confidence by which it is sought to gain
some unfair or dishonest advantage. (American College Dictionary, Random House, 1964) Taft College
will not accept or tolerate instances of academic fraud or plagiarism among its students or faculty.
Falsifying data, sources or experimental results, submitting others' work as if it was yours, presenting
the words or ideas of others without full and appropriate citation, and cheating on exams are all
instances of academic fraud. Students who knowingly commit any of these offenses will (1) receive a
failing grade in the course and (2) and the instance will be reported to the Vice President of Student
Services and the Vice President of Instruction.
Quizzes and Exams
Quizzes cover only the material related to the previous two or three classes. The final exam is
comprehensive. This means it covers the entire course. Study materials will be provided for all quizzes
and exams.
Course Outline and Reading Schedule
Aug 27
Defining the Topic and Getting Started
Sep 10
Chapter 1, Diversity in the United States: Questions and Concepts
Sep 17
Chapter 2: Assimilation and Pluralism
Oct 1
Quiz #1
Chapter 3, The Development of Domination Minority Group Relations in Preindustrial
America: The Origins of Slavery
Oct 8
Chapter 4, Industrialization and Dominant Minority Relations From Slavery to
Segregation and the Coming of Preindustrial Society
Oct 15
Quiz #2
Chapter 5, African-Americans From Segregation to Modern Institutional Discrimination
and Modern Racism
Oct 22
Chapter 6, Native Americans: From Conquest to Tribal Survival in a Postindustrial
Society
Oct 29
Quiz #3
Chapter 7, Hispanic Americans: Colonization, Immigration and Ethnic Enclaves
Nov 5
Chapter 8, Asian Americans: Are Chinese Americans and Japanese Americans “Model
Minorities?”
Nov 19
Quiz #4
Chapter 9, New Americans: Immigration and Assimilation
Nov 26
Chapter 10, White Ethnic Groups: Assimilation and Identity—The Twilight of Ethnicity?
Dec 3
Chapter 11, Dominant-Minority Relations in Cross-National Perspective; Chapter 12,
Minority Groups and US Society: Themes, Patterns and the Future and Study for Final
Dec 10
Final Exam