Political Science 323 Ron Schmidt Racial & Ethnic Politics in the United States Office: SPA-253 Fall 2009 Phone: 562.985.4717 email: rschmidt@csulb.edu Office Hours: Tuesdays, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Thursdays, 11 a.m. – 12 noon And by appointment COURSE OUTLINE Notice Regarding California State Budget and Fall 2009 Course Schedule: As you have heard, the California State Government has drastically cut its financial support for the CSU System. As a result, all 23 CSU campuses have had to cut admissions, classes, and faculty positions, and raised your tuition. Class sessions will be canceled on certain days this semester because of budget cuts. A cancelled class does not mean you get an extra vacation. You still need to know the material for the course papers, but you’ll have less explanation and class time with your professor. Faculty may not be available during some office hours. Department offices will be closed on a regular basis. The library will have shorter hours and many campus support services are decreased. If you need signatures to meet deadlines, but there’s nobody to sign or the department office is closed, you will be stuck. You’ve probably already noticed that many classes you need are cut from the schedule. This means it may take you longer to graduate. Each professor at CSULB is required to not work on nine academic days this semester (in exchange for a pay cut), and three of these will result in “no class” days in this course: Tuesday, September 8; Tuesday, November 24; and Tuesday, December 1. Log on to http://savethecsu.com for information about how to join collective actions to try to help the CSU survive this recession and flourish again. PURPOSES OF COURSE: The main purpose of this course is to survey the roles 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 aims to understand American politics from the point of view of politically active and engaged persons of color. Students in this course will read and discuss, and will be expected to critically analyze, important social scientific and historical background information on racial politics, and examine competing interpretations of contemporary efforts to realize ethno-racial democracy in the United States. The intent of the course is that this information and analysis will not only enhance our understanding of these groups' increasingly significant political roles, but will illuminate important features of the U.S. political system as well. Other primary goals of the course are: (1) to improve students’ critical thinking and analytical skills, and (2) to improve students’ writing skills. COURSE FORMAT: This course will be conducted in a lecture/discussion mode. There will be numerous in-class discussions, and you are encouraged to fully participate in these in a manner that is respectful of the interests of others. Various course materials will be posted on the course BeachBoard site – you should gain access to this site as quickly as you can. 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 to the assigned readings, there will be three written examinations, and your class participation may affect your final grade. 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. 3. Rules of class etiquette: Entering the classroom after class begins, and leaving before class ends, is highly disruptive and should be avoided except in cases of emergency. Except for water, eating and drinking in class are not allowed. If you carry a “beeper” or a cell phone into class, make sure that it is turned off before class begins. 4. No "extra credit" work is possible in this course. 5. Under University policy, students taking this course for graduate-level credit are required to do work additional to that assigned below. See the instructor as soon as possible for details. GRADING: Your grade will be based on your performance on course examinations and your class participation. Each writing assignment will count for 30% of your final 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.). Your class participation will count as 10% of your course grade. REQUIRED TEXTS: Lisa Garcia Bedolla. 2005. Fluid Borders: Latino Power, Identity, and Politics in Los Angeles. University of California Press. Gwen Ifill. 2009. The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama. Doubleday Books. Leland T. Saito. The Politics of Exclusion: The Failure of Race-Neutral Policies in Urban America. Stanford University Press. Charles Wilkinson. 2005. Blood Struggle: The Rise of Modern Indian Nations W.W. Norton. Note: Additional required readings will be found on-line, at the course BeachBoard site. TOPICAL OUTLINE AND ASSIGNMENTS: 1.0 Introductory Perspectives: The Political Meanings of Race in 2009. Week 1 (Aug 31-Sept 4; Note: Sept 3 no class): No reading assigned. Week 2 (Sept 7-11; Note: Sept 8 no class): 1.1 The Obama Presidency and the Political Meanings of Race  Reading Assignment: (1) Ifill, pp. 1-32; (2) Beachboard Assignments #1-3. Week 3 (Sept 14-18): 1.2 The Obama Presidency and the Political Meanings of Race Reading Assignment: (1) Saito, pp. 1-31; (2) Beachboard Assignments #4-5. 2.0 Historical and Social Contexts Week 4 (Sept 21-25): 2.1 Historical Context for Race & Ethnicity in U.S. Reading Assignment: (1) Schmidt (Beachboard Assignments #6) Week 5 (Sept 28-Oct 2): 2.2 Social Context for Race & Ethnicity in U.S.  Reading Assignment: (1) Schmidt et.al. (Beachboard Assignment #7); (2) BeachBoard Assignments #8-10. 3.0 Ethno-Racial Politics: Scenarios and Benchmarks. Week 6 (Oct 5-9): FIRST EXAM DUE TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6; Introductory Overviews – Scenarios & Benchmarks.  Reading Assignment: (1) Schmidt et.al. (Beachboard Assignment #11) 3.1 Ethno-Racial Politics: Political Participation Week 7 (Oct 12-16): Political Participation - I Reading Assignment: (1) 2008 Election Participation 2008 (Beachboard Assignments #12-15); (2) Garcia Bedolla, pp. 1-99. Week 8 (Oct 19-23): Political Participation - II Reading Assignment: (1) Garcia Bedolla, pp. 100-192. 3.2 Ethno-Racial Politics: Political Representation Week 9 (Oct 26-30): Political Representation Reading Assignment: (1) Ifill, pp. 33-109; (2) Beachboard #16-19. 3.3 Ethno-Racial Politics: Governing Coalitions & Public Policy. Week 10 (Nov 2-6): Governing Coalitions; Public Policy Overview. Reading Assignment: (1) Ifill, pp. 110-246; (2) Beachboard Assignments #20-23; (3) Schmidt, Beachboard Assignment #24. 3.4 Ethno-Racial Politics: Egalitarian Public Policies Week 11 (Nov 9-13): Public Policy Overview; Egalitarian Policies - I Reading Assignment: (1) Saito, pp. 32-128. Week 12 (Nov 16-20): Egalitarian Policies – II; SECOND EXAM, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19. Reading Assignment: (1) Saito, pp. 99-207; (2) Beachboard Assignment #25. Week 13 (Nov 23-27; Note: Nov 24 No Class): THANKSGIVING BREAK 4.0 American Indian Politics and Policy Week 14 (Nov 30-Dec 4; Note: Dec 1 No Class): Reading Assignment: Wilkinson, Intro., Ch. 1-5 Week 15 (Dec 7-11): Reading Assignment: Wilkinson, Ch. 6-10 Week 16 (Dec 14-18): Final Exam (Thursday, December 17, 12:30

Political Science 323 Ron Schmidt

Racial & Ethnic Politics in the United States Office: SPA-253

Fall 2009 Phone: 562.985.4717

email: rschmidt@csulb.edu

Office Hours:

Tuesdays, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Thursdays, 11 a.m. – 12 noon

And by appointment

COURSE OUTLINE

Notice Regarding California State Budget and Fall 2009 Course Schedule:

As you have heard, the California State Government has drastically cut its financial support for the CSU System. As a result, all 23 CSU campuses have had to cut admissions, classes, and faculty positions, and raised your tuition. Class sessions will be canceled on certain days this semester because of budget cuts.

A cancelled class does not mean you get an extra vacation. You still need to know the material for the course papers, but you’ll have less explanation and class time with your professor. Faculty may not be available during some office hours. Department offices will be closed on a regular basis. The library will have shorter hours and many campus support services are decreased. If you need signatures to meet deadlines, but there’s nobody to sign or the department office is closed, you will be stuck. You’ve probably already noticed that many classes you need are cut from the schedule. This means it may take you longer to graduate.

Each professor at CSULB is required to not work on nine academic days this semester (in exchange for a pay cut), and three of these will result in “no class” days in this course: Tuesday, September 8; Tuesday, November 24; and Tuesday, December 1.

Log on to http://savethecsu.com for information about how to join collective actions to try to help the CSU survive this recession and flourish again.

PURPOSES OF COURSE:

The main purpose of this course is to survey the roles 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 aims to understand American politics from the point of view of politically active and engaged persons of color. Students in this course will read and discuss, and will be expected to critically analyze, important social scientific and historical background information on racial politics, and examine competing interpretations of contemporary efforts to realize ethno-racial democracy in the United States. The intent of the course is that this information and analysis will not only enhance our understanding of these groups' increasingly significant political roles, but will illuminate important features of the U.S. political system as well. Other primary goals of the course are: (1) to improve students’ critical thinking and analytical skills, and (2) to improve students’ writing skills.

COURSE FORMAT:

This course will be conducted in a lecture/discussion mode. There will be numerous in-class discussions, and you are encouraged to fully participate in these in a manner that is respectful of the interests of others. Various course materials will be posted on the course BeachBoard site – you should gain access to this site as quickly as you can.

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 to the assigned readings, there will be three written examinations, and your class participation may affect your final grade.

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.

3. Rules of class etiquette: Entering the classroom after class begins, and leaving before class ends, is highly disruptive and should be avoided except in cases of emergency. Except for water, eating and drinking in class are not allowed. If you carry a “beeper” or a cell phone into class, make sure that it is turned off before class begins.

4. No "extra credit" work is possible in this course.

5. Under University policy, students taking this course for graduate-level credit are required to do work additional to that assigned below. See the instructor as soon as possible for details.

GRADING:

Your grade will be based on your performance on course examinations and your class participation. Each writing assignment will count for 30% of your final 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.). Your class participation will count as 10% of your course grade.

REQUIRED TEXTS:

Lisa Garcia Bedolla. 2005. Fluid Borders: Latino Power, Identity, and Politics in Los Angeles. University of California Press.

Gwen Ifill. 2009. The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama. Doubleday Books.

Leland T. Saito. The Politics of Exclusion: The Failure of Race-Neutral Policies in Urban America. Stanford University Press.

Charles Wilkinson. 2005. Blood Struggle: The Rise of Modern Indian Nations W.W. Norton.

Note: Additional required readings will be found on-line, at the course BeachBoard site.

TOPICAL OUTLINE AND ASSIGNMENTS:

1.0 Introductory Perspectives: The Political Meanings of Race in 2009.

Week 1 (Aug 31-Sept 4; Note: Sept 3 no class): No reading assigned.

Week 2 (Sept 7-11; Note: Sept 8 no class): 1.1 The Obama Presidency and the Political Meanings of Race
Reading Assignment: (1) Ifill, pp. 1-32; (2) Beachboard Assignments #1-3.

Week 3 (Sept 14-18): 1.2 The Obama Presidency and the Political Meanings of Race

Reading Assignment: (1) Saito, pp. 1-31; (2) Beachboard Assignments #4-5.

2.0 Historical and Social Contexts

Week 4 (Sept 21-25): 2.1 Historical Context for Race & Ethnicity in U.S.
Reading Assignment: (1) Schmidt (Beachboard Assignments #6)

Week 5 (Sept 28-Oct 2): 2.2 Social Context for Race & Ethnicity in U.S.
Reading Assignment: (1) Schmidt et.al. (Beachboard Assignment #7); (2) BeachBoard Assignments #8-10.

3.0 Ethno-Racial Politics: Scenarios and Benchmarks.

Week 6 (Oct 5-9): FIRST EXAM DUE TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6; Introductory Overviews – Scenarios & Benchmarks.
Reading Assignment: (1) Schmidt et.al. (Beachboard Assignment #11)

3.1 Ethno-Racial Politics: Political Participation

Week 7 (Oct 12-16): Political Participation - I

Reading Assignment: (1) 2008 Election Participation 2008 (Beachboard Assignments #12-15); (2) Garcia Bedolla, pp. 1-99.

Week 8 (Oct 19-23): Political Participation - II

Reading Assignment: (1) Garcia Bedolla, pp. 100-192.

3.2 Ethno-Racial Politics: Political Representation

Week 9 (Oct 26-30): Political Representation

Reading Assignment: (1) Ifill, pp. 33-109; (2) Beachboard #16-19.

3.3 Ethno-Racial Politics: Governing Coalitions & Public Policy.

Week 10 (Nov 2-6): Governing Coalitions; Public Policy Overview.

Reading Assignment: (1) Ifill, pp. 110-246; (2) Beachboard Assignments #20-23; (3) Schmidt, Beachboard Assignment #24.

3.4 Ethno-Racial Politics: Egalitarian Public Policies

Week 11 (Nov 9-13): Public Policy Overview; Egalitarian Policies - I

Reading Assignment: (1) Saito, pp. 32-128.

Week 12 (Nov 16-20): Egalitarian Policies – II; SECOND EXAM, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19.

Reading Assignment: (1) Saito, pp. 99-207; (2) Beachboard Assignment #25.

Week 13 (Nov 23-27; Note: Nov 24 No Class): THANKSGIVING BREAK

4.0 American Indian Politics and Policy

Week 14 (Nov 30-Dec 4; Note: Dec 1 No Class): Reading Assignment: Wilkinson, Intro., Ch. 1-5

Week 15 (Dec 7-11): Reading Assignment: Wilkinson, Ch. 6-10

Week 16 (Dec 14-18): Final Exam (Thursday, December 17, 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.)