Political Science 323
Fall
1994
Minority Politics in the United States
Ron Schmidt
California State University at Long Beach
COURSE OUTLINE
PURPOSE OF COURSE:
The purpose of this course is to survey the role of "racial" minorities in American politics. In particular, the focus of the course is on four groups that, for reasons of "race," have been subjected to systematic discrimination and political subordination in U.S. history: American Indians, African Americans, Latino Americans and Asian/Pacific Americans. To the extent possible, the course attempts to understand American politics from the point of view of politically active and engaged persons of color. The course aims to examine and carefully analyze competing ideologies and several different strategies of minority empowerment in U.S. political life. The assumption of the course is that this examination and analysis will not only enhance our understanding of these groups' increasingly important political roles, but will illuminate certain features of the U.S. political system as well.
COURSE FORMAT:
This course will be conducted in a lecture/discussion mode. You are encouraged to raise questions and to participate in class discussions, and to do so in a manner that is respectful of the interests of others.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Since class discussion will be an important element of the course, you will be expected to complete the reading assignments before coming to class. In addition, two examinations and a paper will be required. The exams will be of the essay variety, on questions chosen by the instructor from a list provided to students one week prior to the exam. The paper will be a five-page essay on a topic assigned by the instructor.
OTHER COURSE POLICIES:
1. Attendance: you are expected to attend the class regularly if you wish to do well in the course.
2. "Make-up" exams will be allowed only in circumstances in which you had no control (e.g., severe illness). The burden of proof of such circumstances rests on the student. Papers turned in late will be penalized.
GRADING:
Your grade will be based on your performance on course examinations and the paper. Each writing assignment will count for one-third of your course grade. The exams will aim to test your mastery of the information presented in the course, as well as your ability to interpret and analyze that information. All written work will be graded on the substance of what you write (e.g., accuracy of information, inference and reasoning, etc.) and on the skill with which you write (e.g., organization, syntax, spelling, "grace," etc.).
EXTRA CREDIT:
Extra credit points may be earned by participating in and reporting on a university-wide symposium on "Immigration in California," to be held in October and November. Further information will be distributed in class.
REQUIRED TEXTS:
1. Carol Hardy-Fanta, Latina Politics, Latino Politics (available in the University Bookstore).
2. All additional required readings are contained in a "Minority Politics in the United States" reader available at Krishna Copies, corner of Atherton and Palo Verde Avenues in Long Beach (adjacent to the CSULB campus). Ask for packet number 1007 at Krishna Copies.
TOPICAL OUTLINE AND ASSIGNMENTS:
A. INTRODUCTORY PERSPECTIVES ON MINORITY POLITICS
Week One: August 29 to September 2
(1) Concepts of Ethnicity and Race in the U.S.
Reading Assigned:
a. "Readings" #1 (pp. 1-42): Martin Marger, Part I: "The Nature of Ethnic Relations," from Race and Ethnic Relations.
Week Two: September 5 to September 9
(2) Historical Perspective on Race/Ethnicity in U.S.
Reading Assigned:
a. "Readings" #2 (pp. 43-77): Ronald Schmidt, "Ethnic and Racial Diversity in United States History: Origins and Patterns of Response."
Week Three: September 12 to September 16
(3) Contemporary Perspectives on Racial Stereotypes
Reading Assigned:
a. "Readings" #3 (pp. 78-96): J.R. Feagin and M.P. Sikes, "The Continuing Significance of Racism," from Living With Racism: The Black Middle-Class Experience.
b. "Readings" #4 (pp. 97-111): Paul Ong, et.al., "Asians Living on the Margin," from Beyond Asian American Poverty.
Week Four: September 19 to September 23
B. IDEOLOGIES OF MINORITY EMPOWERMENT
(1) Assimilationism
Reading Assigned:
a. "Readings" #5 (pp. 112-116): Martin Luther King, Jr., "The Ethical Demands for Integration" (1962)
b. "Readings" #6 (pp.117-124): Shelby Steele, "Race-Holding," from The Content of Our Character.
c. "Readings" #7 (pp. 125-134): Linda Chavez, "Introduction" and "Toward a New Politics of Hispanic Assimilation," from Out of the Barrio.
Week Five: September 26 to September 30
(2) Pluralism
Reading Assigned:
a. "Readings" #8 (pp. 135-146): Kwame Ture and Charles V. Hamilton, "Black Power: Its Need and Substance."
b. "Readings" #9 (pp. 147-153): bell hooks, "Loving Blackness as Political Resistance."
c. "Readings" #10 (pp. 154-159): Manning Marable, "Multicultural Democracy: The Emerging Majority for Justice and Peace."
d. "Readings" #11 (pp. 160-171): Malcolm X, "The Ballot or the Bullet."
e. "Readings" #12 (pp. 172-182): Mario Barrera, "In Search of Aztlan."
Week Six: October 3 to October 7
(3) Radical Political Economy
Reading Assigned:
a. "Readings" #13 (pp. 183-221): Melvin M. Leiman, "The Politics of Discrimination" and "Black-White Labor Unity: An Impossible Dream?"
b. "Readings" #14 (pp. 222-237): Elizabeth Martinez and Ed McCaughan, "Chicanas and Mexicanas Within a Transnational Working Class."
Week Seven: October 10 to October 14
FIRST EXAM
C. POLITICAL STRATEGIES OF MINORITY EMPOWERMENT
(1) The Local Political Arena
Reading Assigned:
a. "Readings" #15 (pp. 238-252): Rufus Browning, Dale Rogers Marshall, and David H. Tabb, "Introduction: Can Blacks and Latinos Achieve Power in City Government? The Setting and the Issues."
b. "Readings" #16 (pp. 253-261): Raphael J. Sonenshein, "Biracial Coalition Politics in Los Angeles."
c. "Readings" #17 (pp. 262-271): Henry Flores, "The Selectivity of the Capitalist State: Chicanos and Economic Development."
Week Eight: October 17 to October 21
(2) Community Politics and Gender: A Case Study
Reading Assigned:
a. Carol Hardy-Fanta, Latina Politics, Latino Politics, pp. ix-98.
Week Nine: October 24 to October 28
(2) Community Politics and Gender: A Case Study (cont.)
Reading Assigned:
a. Carol Hardy-Fanta, Latina Politics, Latino Politics, pp. 99-197.
Week Ten: October 31 to November 4
PAPER DUE
(3) The National Political Arena
Reading Assigned:
a. "Readings" #18 (pp. 272-280): Rodney E. Hero, "Latinos and the National Government."
b. "Readings" #19 (pp. 281-321): Lucius Barker and Mack Jones, "African Americans and the Congressional Arena" and "The Presidency and the Policy Process: The `Poverty' of Black Politics."
c. "Readings" #20 (pp. 322-343): Thomas Byrne Edsall with Mary D. Edsall, "When the official subject is presidential politics, taxes, welfare, crime, rights, or values. . .the real subject is RACE."
Week Eleven: November 7 to November 11
(2) Litigation: The Voting Rights Act
Reading Assigned:
a. "Readings" #21 (pp. 343-349): Karen O'Connor and Lee Epstein, "A Legal Voice for the Chicano Community: The Activities of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, 1968-82."
b. "Readings" #22 (pp. 350-372): Chandler Davidson, "The Voting Rights Act: A Brief History."
c. "Readings" #23 (pp. 373-378): Newspaper articles on MALDEF's suit against L.A. County Board of Supervisors, 1990-91.
d. "Readings" #24 (pp. 379-384): Lani Guinier, "Voting Rights and Democratic Theory: Where Do We Go From Here?."
D. PUBLIC POLICY STRATEGIES OF EMPOWERMENT
Week Twelve: November 14 to November 18
(1) Equal Rights Policy and Minority Empowerment
Reading Assigned:
a. "Readings" #25 (pp. 385-407): Charles Bullock III, Harrell Rogers, and Charles Lamb, excerpts from Bullock and Lamb, eds., Implementation of Civil Rights Policy.
b. "Readings" #26 (pp. 408-417): Kathryn K. Imahara, "Language Rights Issues to the Year 2020 and Beyond: Language Rights Policy."
c. "Readings" #28 (pp. 426-431): Shelby Steele, "A Negative Vote on Affirmative Action."
d. "Readings" #29 (pp. 432-441): Randall Kennedy, "Persuasion and Distrust: The Affirmative Action Debate."
Week Thirteen: November 22 to November 26
(2) The Political Economy of Minority Empowerment
Reading Assigned:
a. "Readings" #27 (pp. 418-425): Ronald Schmidt, "Language Education Policy and the Latino Quest for Empowerment: Exploring the Linkages."
b. "Readings" #30 (pp. 442-450): L.C.D. Wacquant and W.J. Wilson, "The Cost of Racial and Class Exclusion in the Inner City."
THANKSGIVING BREAK
Week Fourteen: November 14 to December 2
(2) The Political Economy of Minority Empowerment (cont.)
Reading Assigned:
a. "Readings" #31 (pp. 451-458): F. Bonilla and R. Morales, "Critical Theory and Policy in an Era of Ethnic Diversity: Economic Interdependence and Growing Inequality."
b. "Readings" #32 (pp. 459-465): Lawrence M. Mead, "The Logic of Workfare: The Underclass and Work Policy."
c. "Readings" #33 (pp. 466-478): Robert D. Bullard, "Anatomy of Environmental Racism and the Environmental Justice Movement."
Week Fifteen: December 5 to December 9
(3) American Indian Policy
Reading Assigned:
a. "Readings" #34 (pp. 479-487): U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, "Context for Evaluation," from Indian Tribes: A Continuing Quest for Survival
b. "Readings" #35 (pp. 488-498): Tom Holm, "The Crisis in Tribal Government."
c. "Readings" #36 (pp. 499-504): George S. Esber, Jr., "Shortcomings of Indian Self-Determination Policy."
d. "Readings" #37 (pp. 505-end): Johotpaul Chaudhuri, "Native Americans and the Unheavenly City: A Study in Inequality."
Week Sixteen--December 13 to December 17
FINAL EXAMS
Mon/Wed Afternoon Class: Monday, December 13: 12:30-14:30 P.M.
Wed Evening Class: Wednesday, December 15: 19:15-21:15 P.M.