Teaching Race with Novels

Abstract

Teaching Sociology of Race—in my current institution this course is titled "Race and Minority Relations"— can be particularly tricky in these contentious political times. We need to pay close attention to our teaching materials and pedagogy to get through to students, to generate important discussions and responses in the classroom, and to create...

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Details

Subject Area(s):

Racial and Ethnic Relations

Resource Type(s):

Assignment

Class Level(s):

College 300

Class Size(s):

Medium

Usage Notes

I teach a course titled "Race and Minority Relations" which is our institution’s version of a sociology course exploring issues of race and related identities and experiences. I center not just race and ethnicity but also gender and socioeconomic class in this course as identities that co-constitute race. My course fulfils a global/intercultural...

Learning Goals and Assessments

Learning Goal(s):

1. Goal 1: Application of sociological theories on race (e.g. Du Bois’ "Double Consciousness" or Bonilla-Silva’s Colorblind Racism) and critical race theory.
2. Goal 2: Critical thinking about race, racialization, and forms of racism.

Goal Assessment(s):

1. Goal 1:
   Assessment 1:
   Discussion Board Assignment Responding to the Novel
   Assessment 2:
   In-class discussion on the "so-what" and other sociological aspects of the Novel.
   
2. Goal 2:
   Assessment 1: Writing assignment connecting current and historical events on race and racism to events in the novel.