MCCCD Program Description

Race and Ethnic Relations

Course: SOC241

First Term: 2017 Spring

Lecture 3.00 Credit(s) 3.00 Period(s) 3.00 Load
Subject Type: Academic
Load Formula: S - Standard Load

Description: Examines how the social construction of race shapes social interaction and social institutions. Explores the consequences of power, privilege and oppression among major ethnic and racial groups in the United States.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Explain the social construction of race and its impact on racial and ethnic groups. (I) 2. Analyze the history of racialization in the United States. (I) 3. Analyze the ideologies that create and maintain racial and ethnic inequality. (II) 4. Explain how racism is institutionalized and creates barriers for minority groups accessing various social systems. (II) 5. Identify the ways in which individuals and institutions perpetuate injustice and inequality based on racial and ethnic differences. (II) 6. Analyze the unique and similar experiences of racial and ethnic groups in the United States. (III) 7. Compare and contrast theories of prejudice and discrimination. (IV) 8. Critique the intersections of race, gender and social class. (IV) 9. Demonstrate how ideologies of superiority and inferiority affect members of racial and ethnic groups. (IV) 10. Analyze how individuals and groups are affected by the dynamics of power and oppression. (IV) 11. Explain the importance of coalitions in reducing racism. (V) 12. Describe the importance of white allies in building coalitions and reducing racism. (V)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. The study of race and ethnicity A. Classical Sociological Perspectives (Conflict, Functionalist, and Symbolic Interaction Theories) B. Social construction theory C. Definition of minority group D. Historical perspective II. Racial stratification A. Economics B. Education C. Health care D. Legal system E. Employment F. Housing G. Media portrayal III. Racial and ethnic groups in the United States A. Native Americans B. African Americans C. Hispanic Americans D. Asian Americans E. European Americans F. Arab Americans G. Mixed race IV. Prejudice and discrimination A. Sociological perspective vs. psychological theories B. Stereotypes C. Institutional discrimination D. Power and privilege E. Intersection of race, gender and social class V. Dominant-minority relations A. Minority group responses B. Consequences of minority-group status C. Dominant group responses D. Creating allies E. Social movements F. Affirmative action G. Diversity in the future

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: April 26, 2016

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.