Majority-Minority Relations
Fall 2015
SOCI 4311-001
Tu/Th 9:30 – 10:50 A.M.
Business Building (BUS) 260
Professor: Dr. Rachel Head
Email: rhead@uttyler.edu (my preferred method of contact)
Office: BUS 204
Phone: (903) 565-5680
Office Hours: M/W from 3:00 – 5:00 P.M. or by appointment
DESCRIPTION
This course is designed to introduce students to the policies and practices of dominant social groups and the
responses of racial and ethnic minorities. Focus is upon the United States.
SYLLABUS POLICY
LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
The instructor reserves the right to
1. Identify differences in definitions of race and comprehend race as a
alter the syllabus, if necessary. The
social construct.
syllabus will only be altered to create a
1. Compare and contrast the concepts of race and ethnicity.
better learning environment for you.
2. Assess the development of institutionalized racism and how it
You will be informed of any changes.
influences life chances of racial groups.
3. Identify how ideology, law, and science have been used to create racial categories historically and currently.
4. Relate historical processes in racial hierarchy formation to current life chances of groups.
5. Compare and contrast historical and contemporary processes in developing and maintaining racial
hierarchies.
6. Connect the course material to their everyday lives and current events.
REQUIRED TEXTS AND BLACKBOARD
There is one required book for this course:
1. Gallagher, Charles A. Rethinking the Color Line: Readings in Race and Ethnicity. 5th Edition. Published by
McGraw Hill, 2012 (ISBN 978-0-07-802663-8) (it is referred to as textbook on the course outline)
Cost at UTT Bookstore:
New: $138
Used: $103.50
Rent New: $89.70
Rent Used: $62.10
2. The course website can be found at: https://blackboard.uttyler.edu/webapps/login/ Use your UTT
Username and Password to login. If you are officially enrolled in the course, you should have access to the
course on Blackboard after you login. Contact IT Support if you encounter any problems with Blackboard
(itsupport@patriots.uttyler.edu). In addition to required course readings, the course website contains
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instructions and submission links for the course assignments, grades for the course, various announcements,
and other useful information.
GRADING
Grades in this course will be based on in-class activities, 5 discussion participation assignments, a mid-term exam,
and a final exam.
In-class Activities (10 points): Students are expected to attend classes regularly and to complete reading
assignments. The lectures will integrate the readings with complementary material. Doing well on the exams will
depend on consistently attending lectures and keeping up with the course readings. To this end, there will be inclass activities, spread over the course of the semester, worth 10% of your grade. I will not accept late in-class
activities except in the circumstances listed below under “Attendance and Make-up Work.”
Discussion Participation Assignments (50 points): There are 7 discussion participation assignments for the
course. You are required to complete 5 of the assignments at 10 points each for 50% of your grade. The discussion
participation assignments are available and due on Blackboard. The assignments provide you with an opportunity
to reflect upon the readings and concepts for the week. They are intended to facilitate a dialogue in-class between
us about the course materials. I will not accept late discussion participation assignments except in the
circumstances listed below under “Attendance and Make-up Work.”
Exams (40 points): There will be a midterm and final exam in this course. The midterm is worth 20 points and
the final exam is worth 20 points. Each exam will consist of take-home essays and will cover the assigned readings,
class discussions/activities, and lecture material.
Extra Credit: These are the only mechanisms through which you can earn points in this course. There will be no
extra credit opportunities or projects.
Incomplete Grades: No grades of “I” (Incomplete) will be assigned in this course.
There are a total of 100 points in this class— 10 points for in-class activities, 50 points for the discussion
participation assignments, 20 points for the midterm, and 20 points for the final exam. Grades will be determined as
follows:
A
B
C
D
F
90 – 100 points
80 – 89.9 points
70 – 79.9 points
50 – 69.9 points
49 or fewer points
UNIVERSITY & INSTRUCTOR POLICIES
Attendance and Make-up Work
I will take attendance for each class period. To receive consideration for make-up work you must either have a
sanctioned anticipated situation (e.g., participation in official University functions, court attendance, religious
observances, or military duty) or a documented emergency situation (e.g., student illness, injury or death of
immediate family member).
 Students who anticipate being absent from class due to a religious observance are requested to inform the
instructor of such absences by the second class meeting of the semester.
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
If you intend to be absent for a university-sponsored event or activity, you (or the event sponsor) must
notify the instructor at least two weeks prior to the date of the planned absence. At that time the
instructor will set a date and time when make-up assignments will be completed.
 Students with documented emergency situations must notify the instructor before the missed
assignment date by email. The assignment must be made up within one week of the assignment due date.
Failure to do so will result in a grade of 0 on the missed assignment.
Make-up work will be allowed only in situations where absences are excused.
Academic Integrity
Academic misconduct will not be tolerated in this course. When you place your name on an assignment the
instructor will interpret this as your statement that “I have received no unauthorized assistance on this assignment.”
Unauthorized assistance includes, but is not limited to: cheating; submitting others’ work as your own work when it
is not; submitting work that you submitted in another class, and plagiarism. Violations will be handled according to
the UT Tyler Code of Student Conduct and may result in a grade of F.
http://www.uttyler.edu/mopp/documents/8Student%20Conduct%20and%20Discipline.pdf
Mutual Respect
It is important that we treat one another with respect in this course. Although this class is designed to foster open
debate, an atmosphere of mutual respect must also be maintained. Disrespectful behaviors include talking on one’s cell
phone during class, arriving late or leaving class early on a consistent basis, text messaging during class, reading
newspapers or materials from other courses, using laptops during class, etc. Such behavior will not be tolerated.
Students may be asked to leave the class for engaging in such behaviors.
Harassment
Each of us deserves to be treated, and is obligated to treat others, with dignity and respect, regardless of our sex, race,
lifestyle, or the beliefs and values that we hold. If anyone (including the professor or your peers) says or does
anything in this class that you consider harassment, please contact me (in person or anonymously) or contact the
Department of Social Sciences.
Reasonable Accommodations/Disability Services
In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the ADA
Amendments Act (ADAAA) the University offers accommodations to students with learning, physical and/or
psychological disabilities. If you have a disability, including a non-visible disability diagnosis such as a chronic
disease, learning disorder, head injury or ADHD, or you have a history of modifications or accommodations in a
previous educational environment you are encouraged to contact the Student Accessibility and Resources office and
schedule an interview with an Accessibility Case Manager. If you are unsure if the above criteria applies to you, but
have questions or concerns please contact the SAR office. For more information or to set up an appointment please
visit the SAR webpage (http://www.uttyler.edu/disabilityservices/) or the SAR office located in the University
Center, Room 3150 or call (903) 566-7079. You may also send an email to saroffice@uttyler.edu
Students’ Rights and Responsibilities
To know and understand the policies that affect your rights and responsibilities as a student at UT Tyler, please
follow this link: http://www.uttyler.edu/wellness/rightsresponsibilities.php
Grade Replacement/Forgiveness and Census Date Policies
Students repeating a course for grade forgiveness (grade replacement) must file a Grade Replacement Contract with
the Enrollment Services Center (ADM 230) on or before the Census Date of the semester in which the course will
be repeated. Grade Replacement Contracts are available in the Enrollment Services Center or at
http://www.uttyler.edu/registrar. Each semester’s Census Date can be found on the Contract itself, on the
Academic Calendar, or in the information pamphlets published each semester by the Office of the Registrar. Failure
to file a Grade Replacement Contract will result in both the original and repeated grade being used to calculate your
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overall grade point average. Undergraduates are eligible to exercise grade replacement for only three course repeats
during their career at UT Tyler; graduates are eligible for two grade replacements. Full policy details are printed on
each Grade Replacement Contract.
The Census Date is the deadline for many forms and enrollment actions that students need to be aware of. These
include:
 Submitting Grade Replacement Contracts, Transient Forms, requests to withhold directory information,
approvals for taking courses as Audit, Pass/Fail or Credit/No Credit.
 Receiving 100% refunds for partial withdrawals. (There is no refund for these after the Census Date)
 Schedule adjustments (section changes, adding a new class, dropping without a “W” grade)
 Being reinstated or re-enrolled in classes after being dropped for non-payment
 Completing the process for tuition exemptions or waivers through Financial Aid
State-mandated Course Drop Policy
Texas law prohibits a student who began college for the first time in Fall 2007 or thereafter from dropping more
than six courses during their entire undergraduate career. This includes courses dropped at another 2-year or 4-year
Texas public college or university. For purposes of this rule, a dropped course is any course that is dropped after the
census date (See Academic Calendar for the specific date). Exceptions to the 6-drop rule may be found in the
catalog. Petitions for exemptions must be submitted to the Enrollment Services Center and must be accompanied
by documentation of the extenuating circumstance. Please contact the Enrollment Services Center if you have any
questions.
Social Security and FERPA Statement
It is the policy of The University of Texas at Tyler to protect the confidential nature of social security numbers. The
University has changed its computer programming so that all students have an identification number. The electronic
transmission of grades (e.g., via e-mail) risks violation of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act; grades will
not be transmitted electronically.
Emergency Exits and Evacuation
Everyone is required to exit the building when a fire alarm goes off. Follow your instructor’s directions regarding
the appropriate exit. If you require assistance during an evacuation, inform your instructor in the first week of class.
Do not re-enter the building unless given permission by University Police, Fire department, or Fire Prevention
Services.
TENTATIVE COURSE OUTLINE AND READINGS
UNIT I. THE POLITICS OF RACIAL CLASSIFICATION
In this unit we explore the historic use of ideology, law, and science in the creation and maintenance
of racial hierarchies
Aug 25 – 27
What is Race? How is Race Different from Ethnicity?
(Week 1)
Readings:
Course syllabus
Harris, Marvin. “How Our Skins Got Their Color.” Pp. 7-9 in textbook.
Omi and Winant. “Racial Formations.” Pp. 17-22 in textbook.
Assignment:
Discussion Participation Assignment 1: Five (5) definitions of race and citations due via Blackboard
by 11:59 p.m. on August 26th
Sep 01 – 03
(Week 2)
Race as Chameleon: How the Idea of Race Changes over Time and Place
Readings:
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Gallagher, Charles. “Rethinking the Color Line—Understanding How Boundaries Shift.” Pp. 1-3 in
textbook.
Davis, James. “Defining Race: Comparative Perspectives.” Pp. 53-63 in textbook.
Espiritu, Yen Le. “Asian American Panethnicity: Contemporary National and Transnational
Possibilities.” Pp. 79-86 in textbook.
Lee and Bean. “Beyond Black and White: Remaking Race in America.” Pp. 86-91 in textbook.
Guglielmo 2003. “Rethinking Whiteness Historiography: The Case of Italians in Chicago, 1890-1945.”
Pp. 49 - 63 on Blackboard.
Sep 08 – 10
(Week 3)
Discerning Race: The Roles of Science and Law in Racial Classification
Sep 15 – 17
(Week 4)
American Apartheid: Residential Segregation in the U.S.
Readings:
Zinn, Howard. “Drawing the Color Line.” Pp. 9-17 in textbook.
Snipp, Matthew. “Defining Race and Ethnicity.” Pp. 22-32 in textbook.
Wilkins, David. “A Tour of Indian Peoples and Indian Lands.” Pp. 63-78 in textbook.
Video:
“Race: The Power of an Illusion”
Assignment:
Discussion Participation Assignment 2 due via Blackboard by 11:59 p.m. on September 9th
Readings:
Gallagher, Charles. “Color-Blind Privilege: The Social and Political Functions of Erasing the Color
Line in Post-Race America.” Pp. 92-101 in textbook.
Guinier and Torres. “The Ideology of Color Blindness.” Pp. 101-105 in textbook.
Massey, Douglas. “Residential Segregation and Neighborhood Conditions in U.S. Metropolitan
Areas.” Pp. 158-175 in textbook.
Shapiro, Thomas. “Transformative Assets, the Racial Wealth Gap, and the American Dream.” Pp. 4952 in textbook.
Anderson, Elijah. “Code of the Streets.” Pp. 176-184 in textbook.
Video:
“The Promised Land”
Assignment:
Discussion Participation Assignment 3 due via Blackboard by 11:59 p.m. on September 16th
Recommended Readings:
Massey and Denton. “The Construction of the Ghetto.” Pp. 17-59 in American Apartheid. On
Blackboard.
UNIT II. THE CONSEQUENCES OF RACIAL CLASSIFICATION
In this unit we explore controlling images for various groups as well as their relationships to the
criminal justice system and workplace
Sep 22 – 24
Understanding Racism
(Week 5)
Readings:
Blumer, Herbert. “Race Prejudice as a Sense of Group Position.” Pp. 117-122 in textbook.
Sterba, James. “Race and Gender Discrimination: Contemporary Trends.” Pp. 122-127 in textbook.
Merton, Robert. “Discrimination and the American Creed.” Pp. 127-134 in textbook.
Bayoumi, Moustafa. “How Does It Feel to be a Problem? Being Young and Arab in America.” Pp.
134-138 in textbook.
Lipsitz, George. “The Possessive Investment in Whiteness: Racialized social Democracy.” Pp. 139147 in textbook.
Bobo, Lawrence. “Laissez-Faire Racism, Racial Inequality, and the Role of the Social Sciences.” Pp.
148-158 in textbook.
Sep 29 – Oct 01
(Week 6)
Race and Criminal Justice
Readings:
Cole, David. “No Equal Justice: The Color of Punishment.” Pp. 211-217 in textbook.
Alexander, Michelle. “The New Jim Crow.” Pp. 217-225 in textbook.
Bobo and Thompson. “Racialized Mass Incarceration: Rounding Up the Usual Suspects.” Pp. 225230 in textbook.
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Pager, Devah. “The Mark of a Criminal Record.” Pp. 230-234 in textbook.
Krimsky and Simoncelli. “Using DNA for Justice: Color-blind or Biased?” Pp. 234-240 in textbook.
Assignment:
Discussion Participation Assignment 4 due via Blackboard by 11:59 p.m. on October 4th
Oct 06 – 08
(Week 7)
How Race Shapes the Workplace
Oct 13 – 15
(Week 8)
Race, Representations, and the Media: The Tenacity of Stereotypes
Oct 20 – 22
(Week 9)
Dr. Head out of town—use this time to work on your Midterm Exam
Readings:
Braverman, Amy. “What’s in a Name and How It Affects Getting a Job.” Pp. 240-241 in textbook.
Waldinger, Roger. “When the Melting Pot Boils Over: The Irish, Jews, Blacks, and Koreans in New
York.” Pp. 241-249 in textbook.
Newman and Ellis. “There’s No Shame in My Game: Status and Stigma among Harlem’s Working
Poor.” Pp. 249-261 in textbook.
Bao, Xiaolan. “Sweatshops in Sunset Park: A Variation of the Late-Twentieth-Century Chinese
Garment Shops in New York City.” Pp. 261-275 in textbook.
Kandel and Parrado. “Hispanics in the American South and the Transformation of the Poultry
Industry.” Pp. 275-284 in textbook.
Readings:
Dirks and Mueller. “Racism and Popular Culture.” Pp. 285-295 in textbook.
Littlefield. “The Media as a System of Racialization: Exploring Images of African American Women
and the New Racism.” Pp. 295-301 in textbook.
Edison and Yancey. “Black and White in Movies: Portrayals of Black-White Biracial Characters in
Movies.” Pp. 301-304 in textbook.
Merskin, Debra. “Winnebagos, Cherokees, Apaches, and Dakotas: The Persistence of Stereotyping of
American Indians in American Advertising and Brands.” Pp. 304-310 in textbook.
Lapchick, Richard. “Sport in America: The New Racial Stereotypes.” Pp. 311-318 in textbook.
Assignment:
Discussion Participation Assignment 5 due via Blackboard by 11:59 p.m. on October 18th
Assignment:
Take-home Midterm Exam due via Blackboard by 11:59 p.m. on October 22nd
UNIT III. THE CURRENT POLITICS OF RACIAL CLASSIFICATION
In this unit we explore the current use of ideology, law, and science in the creation and maintenance
of racial hierarchies
Oct 27 – 29
Race, Ethnicity, and Immigration
(Week 10)
Readings:
Steinberg, Stephen. “The Melting Pot and the Color Line.” Pp. 321-326 in textbook.
Suleiman, Michael. “The Arab Immigrant Experience.” Pp. 337-349 in textbook.
Logan, John. “Who are the Other African Americans? Contemporary African and Caribbean
Immigrants in the United States.” Pp. 327-337 in textbook.
Waters, Mary. “Ethnic and Racial Identities of Second-Generation Black Immigrants in New York
City.” Pp. 349-360 in textbook.
Berlin, Ira. “The Changing Definition of African American.” On Blackboard.
Assignment:
Discussion Participation Assignment 6 due via Blackboard by 11:59 p.m. on October 28th
Nov 03 – 05
(Week 11)
Reemergence of Biological Conceptions of Race
Nov 10 – 12
(Week 12)
Race and Romance: Blurring Boundaries
Readings:
Williams and Sternthal. “Understanding Racial-Ethnic Disparities in Health: Sociological
Contributions.” Pp. 39-48 in textbook.
Frank 2007. “What to Make of It? The (Re)emergence of a Biological Conceptualization of Race in
Health Disparities Research.” Pp. 1977-1983 on Blackboard.
Readings:
Fryer, Roland. “Guess Who’s Been Coming to Dinner? Trends in Interracial Marriage over the 20th
Century.” Pp. 361-368 in textbook.
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Kennedy. “Captain Kirk Kisses Lieutenant Uhura: Interracial Intimacies—The View from
Hollywood.” Pp. 368-373 in textbook.
Dalmage, Heather. “Discovering Racial Borders.” Pp. 374-383 in textbook.
McClain DaCosta, Kimberly. “Redrawing the Color Line? The Problems and Possibilities of
Multiracial Families and Group Making.” Pp. 383-392 in textbook.
Nov 17 – 19
(Week 13)
Critical White Studies: Racial Apathy, Cultureless Identities, & the New Racial
Hierarchy
Readings:
Gans, Herbert. “The Possibility of a New Racial Hierarchy in the Twenty-First-Century United
States.” Pp. 106-114 in textbook.
Perry. 2001. “White Means Never having to Say You’re Ethnic: White Youth and the Construction of
Cultureless Identities.” Pp. 56-91 on Blackboard.
Forman and Lewis. 2004. “Color-blind Racism and Racial Indifference: The Role of Racial Apathy in
Facilitating Enduring Inequalities." Pp. 43-59 on Blackboard.
Assignment:
Discussion Participation Assignment 7 due via Blackboard by 11:59 p.m. on November 15th
Nov 24 – 26
(Week 14)
Dec 01 – 03
(Week 15)
No Class: Thanksgiving Holiday
Dec 08 or 10
(Week 16)
Final Exam due via Blackboard by #:#
Living with Less Racism
Readings:
Lui et al. “Policy Steps Toward Closing the Gap.” Pp. 393-400 in textbook.
Gallagher, Charles. “Ten Things You Can Do to Improve Race Relations.” Pp. 400-403 in textbook.
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