DOC PREVIEW
Political Science 123

This preview shows page 1-2 out of 7 pages.

Save
View full document
View full document
Premium Document
Do you want full access? Go Premium and unlock all 7 pages.
Access to all documents
Download any document
Ad free experience
View full document
Premium Document
Do you want full access? Go Premium and unlock all 7 pages.
Access to all documents
Download any document
Ad free experience
Premium Document
Do you want full access? Go Premium and unlock all 7 pages.
Access to all documents
Download any document
Ad free experience

Unformatted text preview:

AMERICAN POLITICS: DIFFERENCE AND DISCRIMINATION Spring 2009 Political Science 123 Haverford College Steve McGovern Office: Hall 105 Phone: 896-1058 (w) Hours: W 1-3 Email: [email protected] (and by appointment) Course Description This course considers the nature of difference and discrimination in American politics and government with attention to class, race, gender, sexual orientation and their intersection. We begin by assessing contemporary attitudes and beliefs regarding the nation’s progress or lack of progress in achieving its goals of ensuring justice and equality for all of its citizens. We then examine how groups that have experienced extensive discrimination have sought to promote their interests and expand their power through protest, electoral politics, and participation in the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government. We conclude by analyzing various public policy outcomes affecting such groups. Central questions posed by the course include: How does the political system generate and maintain inequality? To what extent does it offer the people of color, women, gays and lesbians, and the poor opportunities for advancement and empowerment? Course Requirements Class attendance & participation 20% Two papers (5 pages each) 40% Final paper (10 pages) 40% Required Texts Michael K. Brown, et al., Whitewashing Race: The Myth of a Color-Blind Society (University of California Press, 2003) Sheryll Cashin, The Failures of Integration: How Race and Class Are Undermining the American Dream (Public Affairs, 2004) Ron Haskins, Work over Welfare: The Inside Story of the 1996 Welfare Reform Law (Brookings Institution Press, 2006) Lawrence R. Jacobs and Theda Skocpol, eds., Inequality and American Democracy: What We Know and What We Need to Learn (Russell Sage Foundation, 2005) Craig A. Rimmerman, The Lesbian and Gay Movements: Assimilation or Liberation? (Westview, 2008) Abigail Thernstrom and Stephan Thernstrom, eds., Beyond the Color Line: New Perspectives on Race and Ethnicity (Hoover Institution Press, 2002) All other assigned readings may be accessed through Blackboard.Topics and Readings Week 1 I. Introduction A. Welcome B. Unity and Division Within the American Polity Hua Hsu, “The End of White America?” The Atlantic Monthly, January/February 2009 Walter Benn Michaels, “The Trouble with Diversity,” The American Prospect, September 2006 Weeks 2-3 II. Marginalized Groups in American Politics A. Race and Ethnicity Stephan Thernstrom and Abigail Thernstrom, “Conclusion: One Nation, Indivisible” in American in Black and White: One Nation, Indivisible Michael K. Brown, et al., “Race Preferences and Race Privileges” and “Of Fish and Water: Perspectives on Racism and Privilege” (B, Intro and Ch.1) Everett C. Ladd, “What Americans Think About Race and Ethnicity” (TT, pp. 53-67) Finis Welch, “Half Full or Half Empty? The Changing Economic Status of African Americans, 1967-1996” (TT, pp. 181-200) B. Gender Nancy E. McGlen and Karen O’Connor, “Women’s Political Participation” in Women, Politics, and American Society Lisa Belkin, “The Opt-Out Revolution,” The New York Times Magazine, October 26, 2003 Amanda Fortini, “The ‘Bitch’ and the ‘Ditz’,” New York, November 16, 2008 C. Sexual Orientation Paul R. Brewer, “Public Opinion about Gays” in Value War: Public Opinion and the Politics of Gay Rights D. Wealth Lawrence R. Jacobs and Theda Skocpol, “American Democracy in an Era of Rising Inequality” (J&S, Ch.1) Paul Krugman, “For Richer,” The New York Times Magazine, October 20, 2002 Alan Jenkins, “Inequality, Race, and Remedy,” The American Prospect, May 2007Weeks 3-4 III. Movements and Countermovements A. The Black Movement Aldon Morris, “Centuries of Black Protest: Its Significance for America and the World,” in Race in America, eds., Herbert Hill and James E. Jones Film in class: “Eyes on the Prize: Ain’t Gonna Shuffle No More” B. The Women’s Movement Jo Freeman, “From Suffrage to Women’s Liberation: Feminism in 20th Century America” in Women: A Feminist Perspective, ed. Jo Freeman, 5th ed. Suzanne Staggenborg and Verta Taylor, “Whatever Happened to the Women’s Movement?” Mobilization, February 2005 Deborah Siegel, “Postfeminist Panache” in Sisterhood Interrupted: From Radical Women to Grrls Gone Wild Veronica Chambers, “Betrayal Feminism,” in Listen Up: Voices from the Next Feminist Generation, ed. Barbara Findlen C. The Gay and Lesbian Movement Craig Rimmerman, “The Assimilationist and Liberationist Strategies in Historical Context” (R, Ch.2) Ritch Savin-Williams, “The New Gay Teen: Shunning Labels,” The Gay and Lesbian Review, November/December 2005 Sean Cahill, “The Anti-Gay Movement” in The Politics of Same-Sex Marriage, eds. Craig A. Rimmerman and Clyde Wilcox First Paper Due Weeks 5-6 IV. Political Parties and Elections A. Race and Elections Katherine Tate, “The New Black Politics,” in From Protest to Politics: The New Black Voters in American Elections Tamar Jacoby, “From Protest to Politics: Still an Issue for Black Leadership” (TT, pp. 369-380) Ruy Teixeira, “Beyond Polarization? The Future of Red, Blue, and Purple America” in Red, Blue & Purple America: The Future of Election Demographics, ed. Ruy Teixeira Matt Bai, “Post-Race: What Would a Black President Mean for Black Politics?” The New York Times Magazine, August 10, 2008John B. Judis, “The Big Race: Obama and the Psychology of the Color Barrier,” The New Republic, May 28, 2008 Guillermo J. Grenier and Max Castro, “Blacks and Cubans in Miami: The Negative Consequences of the Cuban Enclave on Ethnic Relations” in Governing American Cities: Inter-Ethnic Coalitions, Competition, and Conflict, ed. Michael Jones-Correa B. Gender, Sexual Orientation, and Elections Georgia Duerst-Lahti, “Presidential Elections: Gendered Spaces and the Case of 2004” in Gender and Elections: Shaping the Future of American Politics, eds. Susan J. Carroll and Richard L. Fox Richard L. Fox, “Congressional Elections: Where Are We on the Road to Gender Parity?” in Gender and Elections: Shaping the Future of American Politics, eds. Susan J. Carroll and Richard L. Fox Ben Ehrenreich, “Anatomy of a Failed Campaign,” The Advocate, December 16, 2008 C. Inequality in


Political Science 123

Download Political Science 123
Our administrator received your request to download this document. We will send you the file to your email shortly.
Loading Unlocking...
Login

Join to view Political Science 123 and access 3M+ class-specific study document.

or
We will never post anything without your permission.
Don't have an account?
Sign Up

Join to view Political Science 123 2 2 and access 3M+ class-specific study document.

or

By creating an account you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use

Already a member?