Course Syllabus

Course Description

The course examines from a sociological perspective the experiences of all racial and ethnic groups, from colonial beginnings to the present. Particular emphasis is placed on the recurring patterns in dominant-minority relations; differential power; American diversity; socioeconomic conditions; and institutional variations of each group.

Required Texts

Parrillo, Vincent N., Strangers to These Shores, 5th ed., Boston: Allyn & Bacon, 1997.
Parrillo, Vincent N., Diversity in America, Thousand Oaks, CA: Pine Forge Press, 1996.

Course Content

Sept  4			Sociology of Minorities                         Ch.  1
Sept  9-11		Culture and Social Structure                	Ch.  2; 1d
Sept 16-18		Prejudice & Discrimination                      Ch.  3
Sept 23-25		Dominant-Minority Relations     		Ch.  4
Sept 30			Native Americans                       		Ch.  7; 2d
Oct   2-9		European Americans               		Ch. 5-6; 3-6d
Oct  14			Midterm Exam               			Review
Oct  16-21		East Asian Americans             		Ch.  8
Oct  23-28		Central & West Asian Americans			Ch.  9; 7d
Oct  30-Nov 4		African Americans                		Ch. 10; 7d
Nov   6-18		Hispanic & Caribbean Americans   		Ch. 11; 7d
Nov  20-25		Religious Minorities             		Ch. 12
Dec   2-4   		The American Mosaic              		Ch. 14      
Dec   9-11		Today's Issues & Controversies   		8,9,10d
Dec  18			Final Exam                       		Review

Course Requirements

1. You are responsible for keeping up-to-date in your class notes and in the assigned readings.

2. Class attendance and class participation are factored into your final grade.  An excess of six unexcused
    absences will result in an "F" final grade.  No exceptions.

3. Exams will be taken on assigned dates.  Makeups will carry an  automatic one-grade reduction.

4. An extra-credit term paper can be done.  Specifics will be given.  Due date: December 2nd

5. A listserv has been set up for this class.  Details will be given in class.

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