Understanding Diversity and Ethnicity
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Course Name: Understanding Diversity and Ethnicity |
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Course Number: EDUC 719A |
Semester Credits: 3 |
Course Description
This timely and thought-provoking course offers the opportunity to trace the historical progression of race, ethnicity, and gender in the United States and globally. Topics include immigration, assimilation and pluralism, the evolution of dominant-minority groups, colonization and ethnic enclaves, and gender and inequality. Challenges for the present and future of ethnic groups are explored. This course is specifically designed to increase knowledge and improve understanding of diversity issues, and clarify thinking about social inequalities related to race, ethnicity, gender, and class. Students will learn how to apply this knowledge and information to a readily-applicable unit of study for their students.
Through an informative research-based text, students will gain a deeper understanding of the many reasons American minority groups remain inseparable from the American experience and how the themes and topics learned from this course will continue to shape the future of our society.
Goals
- Define and understand diversity in the United States, including characteristics of minority groups.
- Understand the ideas of various social theorists concerning sources of inequality in society.
- Describe different types of immigrants, the immigrant chain, and the process of segmented assimilation.
- Explore the evolution of how dominant-minority relations in preindustrial, industrial, and postindustrial America developed, including the origins of slavery in America.
- Have a deeper understanding of topics such as affirmative action policies, segregation, modern racism, and historical figures and decisions related to racism in the United States.
- Understand how Native Americans and Hispanic Americans are treated in the United States from conquest to Native American tribal survival and colonization immigration, including various acts and legislation.
- Gain a broader knowledge of new American immigrants, DREAMers, and other contemporary immigrant groups.
- Understand why immigration typically flows from Global South to Global North and why ongoing discrimination continues in the lives of minorities.
Course Contents
- Diversity in the United States
- Assimilation and Pluralism: From Immigrants to White Ethnics
- The Development of Dominant-Minority Relations in Preindustrial America
- Industrialization and Dominant-Minority Relations: From Slavery to Segregation and the Coming of Postindustrial Society
- African Americans: From Segregation to Modern Institutional Discrimination and Modern Racism
- Native Americans: From Conquest to Tribal Survival in a Postindustrial Society
- Hispanic Americans, Colonization Immigration, and Ethnic Enclave
- Asian Americans: Model Minorities?
- New Americans, Assimilation, and Old Challenges
- Minority Groups and U.S. Society: Themes, Patterns, and the Future
Evidence of Learning Outcomes
Upon successfully completing Understanding Diversity and Ethnicity, the student will have demonstrated knowledge and application of diversity, ethnicity, race, and gender in our society and how this translates to enhanced classroom instruction and the drive for inclusive thinking. The student will also demonstrate the ability to apply their understanding of the objectives through critical thinking and writing skills by completing a comprehensive project and lesson plan.
How to Register
Registration for classes is fast and straightforward and can be done online or over the phone. Courses are offered on a rolling basis during three semesters, and you may begin as soon as you are ready!
The Semester dates are:
Fall: September 1 – January 31
Spring: February 1 – May 31
Summer: June 1 – August 31