Martinez, REP syllabus, 2011
Course Syllabus
Political Science 3100.01
Race, Ethnicity and Politics in the United States
Spring 2011
Instructor: Dr. Valerie Martinez-Ebers
Office: Wooten Hall, Room 143
Phone numbers: (office) 940-565-2276and (cell) 940-390-2304
E-mail: (office)
Office Hours: T-Th 1-3, 5-6 PM and by appointment
Reluctantly, I am forced to face the likely possibility that the United States will never rid itself of racism and reach true integration. I look back and I shudder at how naïve we all were in our belief in the steady progress racial minorities would make through programs of litigation and education, and while I very much hope for the emergence of a revived civil rights movement. . . , I am forced to recognize that my life has, in fact, been a series of glorious defeats.
--Kenneth Clark , May 6, 2004
I am the son of a black man from Kenya and a white woman from Kansas. I was raised with the help of a white grandfather who survived a Depression to serve in Patton's Army and a white grandmother who worked on a bomber assembly line while he was overseas. I've gone to some of the best schools in America and lived in one of the world's poorest nations. I am married to a black American who carries within her the blood of slaves and slaveowners - an inheritance we pass on to our two precious daughters. I have brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, uncles and cousins, of every race and every hue, scattered across three continents, and for as long as I live, I will never forget that in no other country on Earth is my story even possible.
--Barack Obama, August 10, 2008
Course Overview
This course is an introduction to the politics of the four principal racial-ethnic minority groups in the United States: American Indians, Blacks, Latinos, and Asians. We will also consider the political experience of a relatively recent group to this country, Arabs or Middle Easterners. As we review their historical and legal experiences as well as political attitudes and behaviors, we will evaluate the importance of race and ethnicity in understanding the outcomes of American politics. Finally, we will analyze how the structure and operation of our political system may obstruct the efforts of these minority groups to gain the full benefits of American society.
Course Requirements
- Mid-term examination (worth 20%), scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 22
- Final exam (worth 30%), scheduled for Tuesday, May 10, at 10:30
- Threecritical book reports (including one book presentation,worth 10% each),
- 1st report due 3/3, 2nd due 3/22, 3rd due 4/
- Class participation includingattendance and homeworkassignments (worth 10%). Some extra credit points will be available from pop quizzes and attendance at select events
Required Texts and Reading Materials
1. Shaun Bowler and Gary Segura, The Future is Ours: Minority Citizens…. CQ Press. Forthcoming Spring 2011, (FIO) Available in Course Content on Blackboard.
2. Valerie Martinez-Ebers and Manochehr Dorraj, Perspectives on Race, Ethnicity and Religion…, Oxford University Press, 2009. (PRER)Available at UNT bookstore.
3. Dennis Banks. Ojibwa Warrior: Dennis Banks and the Rise of the American Indian Movement. Norman; OK: University of Oklahoma Press, 2005.Available at UNT bookstore.
4. Williams, Robert F. Negroes with Guns. Detroit: WayneStateUniversity Press. 1998.Available at UNT bookstore.
5. One book from the following list will also be assigned to you. Youmust order it from Amazon.com or UNT bookstore or check it out from a local libraryBEFORE Jan. 30. Used copies may also be available for purchase at Half-Priced Books Bring proof of having ordered or obtained the book to class on or before Feb. 1.
Gutierrez, Jose Angel. The Making of a Chicano Militant: Lessons from Crystal. Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin Press, 1998.
Jose Torres (Foreword) and Mickey Melendez. We Took the Streets: Fighting for Latino Rights With the Young Lords. NY: St. Martins Press, 2003.
Louise A. Cainikar, Homeland Insecurity: The Arab American and Muslim American Experience After 9/11 Russell Sage, 2009.
Helen Zia. Asian American Dreams: The Emergence of an American People. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2001.
Instructions for Critical Book Reports
All papers should be at least 5pages in length, NOT including the title or reference pages. All papers should include a separate title page.
The 5 narrative pages should be double-spaced, numbered, printed in 12 point type with no greater than one inch margins on all four sides.
The first section of paper should provide a concise summary of the book and an up-to-date biographical paragraphabout the author (probably no more than three pages for the first section).
The remainderof the paper willbe written in essay form and should answer the following questions, and preferably in this order.
- What factors led to the primary group identification of the author (include specific examples to illustrate these factors) and how strong is this identification?
- Broadly defined, what were the political and or social issues or dilemmas faced by the author (or his primary group)? Include specific examples that support your answer.
- What theory or strategy of minority group politics is evidenced in the author’s or his group’s efforts to resolve these issues/dilemmas? Provide specific examples that support your answer.
- How would you probably have acted in these circumstances? Why?
- What did you learn about racial-ethnic politicsin the USfrom reading this book?
Student Responsibilities
Students are expected to complete the reading assignments, come to class and to participate in class discussions. Regular attendance and participation are VITAL components of this class. More than six absences will result in a grade of “F” for the course.
Readings should be viewed as complimentary to the lectures/class discussions. This means that not all information in the readings will be covered in class and vice versa. Students are, nevertheless, responsible for all material provided in class and in the readings.
Other Important Guidelines
1. It is the policy of the University, the department of political science and myself, to comply fully with the Americans for Disabilities Act and to make reasonable accommodations for qualified students. If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability or if you have emergency medical information to share, please notify me as soon as possible. My contact information as well as my office location and hours are listed above.
Important Guidelines continued
2. I have a strict policy on cheating or plagiarism. The penalty for either offense will be to assign a failing grade to the test/paper or to assign a failing grade for the course, subject to my discretion. To avoid the charge of plagiarism, anytime you report the findings or opinions of another writer (even if it is paraphrased in your own words) you must cite the author and page number in parentheses immediately following a direct quote or at the end of the paragraph if the information is paraphrased (that means written in your own words). Also include a reference page at the end of your paper with complete bibliographic information provided for every source cited in your paper.
3. Make a duplicate of your class paper before you turn it in and put it away in a safe place. Occasionally papers are misplaced and this protects you.
4. Always keep any papers, quizzes, exams, etc. that are returned to you. This protects you in case your grade is recorded incorrectly.
5. If an emergency (sickness, accident, death in the family or some other crisis) occurs during the semester that may affect your performance in this course, please inform me promptly. Do not wait until the end of the semester.
6. Makeup exams will be given only in cases of unavoidable conflict or health problems. Students must contact me before the regularly scheduled test in order to qualify for a makeup exam. Make up tests are 100% written essay.
7. Papers should be submitted at the beginning of class on the day they are due. Points will be deducted for late submissions (usually 10 points per day).
8. PLEASE NOTE: This syllabus serves as a guideline for your reading and preparation for exams. HOWEVER, as your professor, I reserve the right to deviate from the syllabus when necessary. I will make every effort to announce changes at least 2 classes prior to the adjustment, but, ultimately, students are responsible for keeping in touch with me regarding changes.
DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT ME IF YOU ARE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE COURSE. I MAY BE ABLE TO HELP YOU STUDY MORE EFFECTIVELY OR RECOMMEND ASSISTANCE ELSEWHERE ON CAMPUS. REMEMBER...I WANT YOU TO DO WELL IN THIS CLASS.
ALSO,BE FOREWARNED!! There is a substantial amount of reading and homeworkrequired for this class.
Class and Reading Schedule
1/18Introduction to Course: Syllabus and Course Requirements
PART 1.Who am I? Who are they? Who are we? Theoretical Foundations of
Minority Group Politics
1/20-25The Demographic Realities of the United States
Read: chapter 1 in PRER and FIO
Assignment due: Answers to PRER Chapter 1 questions
1/27Significance of Self and Group Identity
Reading due: Ch 2 in FIOand Ch.2 in PRER
Assignment due: Answers to PRER Chapter 2 questions
HEREAFTER DATES REVISED TO REFLECT SCHOOL CLOSING
2/8Strategies or Theories of Minority Group Politics
Reading due: Ch. 3 in PRER and class handout
Assignment due: Answers to PRER Chapter 3 questions
2/10Confronting Misinformation and Stereotypes About Immigrants and Minorities
Reading due: Chapters 4 and 9 in PRER
Assignment due: Answer Q# 4 in Ch. 4 and Q#2 in Ch. 9
2/15American Indians and Federal Policy: Guest lecturer Dr. Gina Branton
Reading due: PRER chapter 6
2/17Assessing the Impact of Hispanic Immigration and Review for Midterm
Reading due: “The Hispanic Challenge” by Samuel Huntington
And “Culture Clash” by Luis Fraga and Gary Segura, available on blackboard and at
Assignment due: Is Huntington correct about Hispanic immigrationand its impact on American society? Why or Why not?
2/22MIDTERM
PART II. What Explains the Political Behaviors of,and Policy Outcomes for,
America’s Minorities?
2/24A Theory of Minority Political Behavior
Reading due: “Asian Pacific-American Public Opinion and Political Participation” by Pei-te Lien et al. available at
3/1The Politics of American Indian Identity
Read chapter 5 in American Indian Ethnic Renewal by Joane Nagel available as handout or on Blackboard
3/3Evaluating the Red Power Movement
Assignment due: Book Report on Ojibwa Warrior
3/8African Americans and the Continuing Struggle for Civil Rights
Read Chapter 4 in FIO (you may want to skim chapter 3 too)
3/10African American Political Preferences and Behavior
Read Chapter 7 in PRER
Assignment due: Answers to PRER chapter 7 questions
3/14-3/18SPRING BREAK
3/22A New Day for Black Politics?
Assignment due: Book Report on Negroes With Guns
3/24A Brief History and Profile of Latinos in the US
Read Chapter 2 in Hispanics and the US Political System by Garcia and Sanchez available on Blackboard
3/29In-class Video: The Longoria Affair
3/31Latino Partisanship and Political Preferences
Read Chapter 8 in PRER
Assignment due: Answers to PRER chapter 8 questions
4/5The Political Participation of Minority Groups
Read Chapters 5 and 6 in FIO
4/7A Brief History and Profile of Asian Americans
Read Chapter 1 (“Charting a Hidden Terrain”) in Asian American Politics by Pei-te Lien available on Blackboard
4/12Asian American Partisanship and Political Preferences
Assignment due: Book Report on your assigned book
4/14Asian Americans Identity and Empowerment
Reach Chapter 2 (“Constructing a Community…) in Asian American Politics by Pei-te Lien available on Blackboard
4/19The Different Faces of Representation
Read chapter 7 in FIO
Group presentation: Asian American Dreams
4/21 In class Video: A Village Called Versailles
4/26A Profile of Muslim Americans
Read Chapter 11 in PREP
Assignment due: Answers to PRER chapter 11 questions
Group presentation: Homeland Insecurity
4/28Muslim Americans Political Preferences and Behavior
Read Chapter 9 in FIO
Group presentation: The Making of a Chicano Militant
5/3Inter-group Conflict and Cooperation
Read Chapter 11 in FIO
Group presentation: We Took the Streets
5/5Wrap Up and Review for Final Exam
5/10Final Exam at 10:30