SYLLABUS: ANT 3451 (ANTHROPOLOGY OF RACE AND ETHNICITY)

and

SYD 4700 (SOCIOLOGY OF MINORITIES/RACE AND ETHNIC RELATIONS).

THIS IS THE SAME COURSE, BUT CAN BE TAKEN AS EITHER ANTHROPOLOGY OR SOCIOLOGY

If signing up as Anthropology 3451, the reference number is 0164, and the section is 51. If signing up for Sociology 4700, the reference number is 6228, and the section is 51.

BISCAYNE BAY CAMPUS, Building A1, Room 264

WEDNESDAYS, 3:30-6:15 PM, JANUARY 8 THROUGH APRIL 16, 2003, except no class on March 19 (Spring Break)

PROFESSOR: Dr. Abraham D. Lavender, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, FIU. Dr. Lavender lives near the South Campus, and teaches on the Biscayne Bay Campus and the Pines Education Center in Broward County. Before the beginning of the semester, the best contact is at abelavender@aol.com. More contact information will be given during the first class.

PURPOSE OF COURSE:

The purpose of this course is to study the ethnic composition within the United States, and to understand how ethnicity has been and is a major factor within the United States. This class will follow the definition of ethnicity as a form of “peoplehood” which can be based on race, religion, language, country of origin, or a combination of any of these. We will briefly examine how the importance of these four dimensions differs greatly in different countries, with race historically being by far the most consequential dimension within the United States, but with other dimensions varying in importance in different countries and times.

The class will begin with lectures on sociological concepts related to ethnicity, including theoretical concepts such as assimilation, pluralism, and enclaves. We will look at several theoretical explanations of why different approaches have been used at different times in the history of the United States, and by different ethnic groups. Emphasis also will be put on different ways that minority groups can interact with the larger society, and the consequences for different groups. We also will look at the social, economic, political, and other characteristics of different ethnic groups.

This course will look at the BIG PICTURE of ethnicity within the United States, beginning with Native Americans before European settlement, and then discussing different ethnic groups which have come to the United States throughout its history. Because of the large number of groups to be discussed, some discussions will be necessity brief. Some special emphasis will be given to ethnic groups (especially Blacks, Hispanics, and Jews) which are major groups in South Florida, but the overall emphasis will be conceptual and descriptive analyzes of many groups within the U.S.

READINGS:

(1) TRIBES: HOW RACE, RELIGION AND IDENTITY DETERMINE SUCCESS IN THE NEW GLOBAL ECONOMY, by Joel Kotkin (1992). This book discusses “The Making of Global Tribes,” including Anglo-Saxons, Asians, Japanese, Chinese, Indians, Mormons, and Jews.

(2) RACE MATTERS, by Cornel West (1993). This best-selling book by a prominent African-American author discusses the obsessive importance of race in the United States, and how this importance has affected African-Americans.

(3) LATINOS AND JEWS: OLD LUGGAGE, NEW ITINERARIES, edited by the American Jewish Committee (2002). This monograph includes a long article by the professor, “A History of Jewish and Hispanic Interaction in Miami-Dade County.” Other articles analyze New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles. This monograph can be purchased in class the first day of class for only two dollars, a special price provided by the AJC (with no profits to the professor) for academic purposes.

(4) Selected journal, magazine, or newspaper articles will be assigned during the semester.

GRADING:

Several short tests will be given during the semester. There will be a test approximately every four weeks, with each test covering a reading assignment and some class material. The final grade (except for attendance) will be a combination of the tests. Each test will consist of 10 to 15 questions, and will take about 15-20 minutes of class time, followed by the regularly scheduled lecture or movie for that date.

ATTENDANCE:

Attendance will be taken frequently, and the professor reserves the right to adjust a grade downwards for any student who misses more than three classes. Education also consists of the class atmosphere, hearing other student comments, observing class interactions, etc. Students who do not regularly attend classes will be at a grade disadvantage in this class.

NOTE:

This syllabus is tentative, subject to final change based on class size, availability of books, and other factors. It will be updated if appropriate as further information is available.