Political Science 825
Professor Marquez
University of Wisconsin

Race and Politics in the United States

This graduate seminar will focus on 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 racial minorities to achieve political power and create change.

The following books are on reserve and have been ordered for purchase at the bookstore:

Teresa Amott and Julie Matthaei. Race Gender and Work.

Jack Bloom. Class, Race and the Civil Rights Movement.

Kitty Calavita. Inside the State.

Mchael Dawson. Behind the Mule.

Douglas Foley. Learning Capitalist Culture.

Douglas Massey. American Apartheid.

Richard Merelman. Representing Black Culture.

Jerry Polinard et al. Electoral Structure and Urban Policy.

Sniderman and Piazza. The Scar of Race.

Stephen Steinberg. The Ethnic Myth.

Carol M. Swain. Black Faces, Black Interests.

William J. Wilson. The Truly Disadvantaged.

Course Requirements

I. Class Participation

Students are expected to read the assigned books and discuss them in class.

II. Two Critical Reviews

Students will be required to choose two books on the reading list and write a critique of each.

The papers should be approximately ten pages in length. Papers are due on the class period in which the reading material is being discussed.

III. A Final Exam

An in-class final examination will be given on the readings and discussions.

The course grade will be determined as follows:

Class Participation........ 20%

Research Papers............ 40%

Final Examination.......... 40%

Make up exams will be given only in the case of a medical emergency. Please do not ask for an incomplete.

0ffice Hours:

Please feel free to make an appointment to see me or drop by during my office hours. I welcome students.

COURSE OUTLINE

Week 1: Introduction

a. Goals and objectives b. Requirements and grading

RACE AND THE POLITICAL ECONOMY

Week 2

Read: Stephen Steinberg. The Ethnic Myth.

Week 3

Read: William J. Wilson. The Truly Disadvantaged.

Week 4

Read: Douglas Massey. American Apartheid.

Week 5

Read: Kitty Calavita. Inside the State.

POLITICAL MOBILIZATION AND PARTICIPATION

Week 6

Read: Jack Bloom. Class, Race and the Civil Rights Movement.

Week 7

Read: Polinard et al. Electoral Structure and Urban Policy.

Spring Break March 9th 17th

Week 8

Read: Swain, Carol M. Black Faces, Black Interests.

CULTURE, POLITICS AND SOCIAL CHANGE

Week 9

Read: Sniderman and Piazza. The Scar of Race.

Week 10

Read: Michael Dawson. Behind the Mule.

Week 11

Read: Amott and Matthaei. Race Gender and Work, chapters 1, 2, 7, 9, 10, 11 and two chapters of your choice from Part II.

Week 12

Read: Douglas Foley. Learning Capitalist Culture, pp. 1158.

Week 13

Read: Richard Merelman. Representing Black Culture.

Week 14

This meeting will be held at my house at 6:30 pm. Richard Merelman will be our guest and lead the discussion.

Week 15

Review for the final exam.