Sociology of Ethnic Relations
This course provides a broad overview of sociological perspectives on ethnic relations. We examine classic and contemporary sociological readings on ethnic classification, the social processes of inclusion and exclusion, ethnic boundary-making, borders, ethnic nationalism past and present, genocide, climate studies on racialized ecology, and social movements for emancipation.
Together the units engage in two central questions: how boundaries are made, maintained and contested and how struggles over these boundaries reproduce or challenge systems of domination and solidarity. The course is based on active student learning through seminar discussion designed to promote student thinking and understanding.
Teaching Format
The course is provided at half time basis for 10 weeks, which means we meet once a week over a ten week period. Teaching is conducted through seminars, intensive reading, discussion, and student-centered activities.
This course is a reading seminar, which is a collective learning activity rather than a standard lecture-based class. The quality of the course depends on everyone’s preparation, engagement with the readings, and active participation in discussion each week. Full participation is therefore required.
Students are expected to do the following:
• Complete assigned reading before each class meeting;
• Participate actively in class discussion;
• Complete written assignments
Assessment
Assessment is based on how well students accomplish the Intended Learning Outcomes as demonstrated in written work and participation.
Students are required to complete a 4500 word course paper relevant to the field of sociology of ethnic relations, in which the student formulates a research question, reviews the relevant literature, and applies sociology of ethnic relations theory to an empirical topic or to advance theory.
To pass the course, students are required to pass the final course paper, attend class, lead and participate in the seminar discussion, and post reading questions on Canvas (Active Seminar Participation).
