Introduction to the Course - January 6 2025 PDF

1/6/25 SOCIOL 3RI3 January 6, 2025 1 Agenda 1) Introduction to the course 2) Syllabus 3) Q & A 4) Documentary 5) 5-minute break 6) Group Discussion 2 1 ...

1/6/25 SOCIOL 3RI3 January 6, 2025 1 Agenda 1) Introduction to the course 2) Syllabus 3) Q & A 4) Documentary 5) 5-minute break 6) Group Discussion 2 1  1/6/25 There is no such thing as race, only racism. (Barbara Fields, History, Columbia University). 3 When racism is turned into racial identities, it lets of the oppressor off scot-free (Barbara Fields). 4 2  1/6/25 Demystifying Race üA modern construct of 19th–20th centuries; üA European invention; üArose to re-assert European colonialization when threatened from below (e.g., decolonization, anti-slavery); üEuropean colonial elites created a racial hierarchy to bind whites to an unequal political order; üStill today, racism builds consent for inequality by directing blame at individual and group deficiencies. üThus, racial constructs are political tools shaped by the power struggles between dominant and subordinate groups. 5 Deconstructing the “ethnicity paradigm” ØIn response to condemnation of racism and Anti- Semitism, white American sociologists looked for the “positive” aspects of racial identities; ØConsequently, a) treated racialized groups as discrete identities (e.g., an ethnic identity), and b) considered racism an archaic and dysfunctional attitude. ØAccording to critical scholars, race is “functional” for white supremacy, capitalism, and patriarchy. ØMoreover, race is a power relationship in which groups are ranked into superior and inferior categories. 6 3  1/6/25 Beyond the ethnicity paradigm ETHNICITY RACE A voluntary, cultural identity a) An imposed identity b) An ideology c) A power relation Born out of a sense of shared a) Born out of European colonialism. heritage b) Due to racial segregation and “one drop rule,” Black Americans have formed a common identity. c) Yet, racialized groups do not necessarily share a common cultural identity or heritage. Refers to a single group a) A hierarchical construct b) Whole societies are racialized 7 Racial Politics vColor-coded racial constructs are products of European colonial domination and white supremacy. vRacism is an ideological instrument. vRacism and racial identities fluctuate in response to the power struggles between the forces of domination and social movements for equality and freedom (e.g., pan- Asian solidarity and Indigenous self-determination). vRacial ideologies and inequalities permeate political institutions, norms, and power relations. 8 4  1/6/25 Syllabus 1) Student participation and intellectual stewardship. 2) Cross-national perspectives, with the prime focus on Canadian context. 3) Understand the root causes of racial inequality & how positive social change happens. 9 Attendance and Participation (15%) Mid-Term Quiz (15%): February 10th in class. Analytical Memo (20%): due February 26th at 11:59 PM. Team research project (25%): Presentations in March and April. Final Exam (25%) : Date to be determined. 10 5  1/6/25 Questions & Answers! 11 6