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Race and Ethnicity Syllabi and Assignments
Race and Ethnicity Syllabi and Assignments
November 17, 2023

The Race and Ethnicity Syllabi and Assignments highlights 20 resources for courses on race and ethnicity. This collection includes activities that use novels, streaming shows, and government data for instruction. There are syllabi for a fully online course and for a course on Black Sociological Thought. 

A drawing of the author, Juan Martinez
Juan Martinez
Online Race and Ethnic Relations Syllabus (Quality Matters Certified)
July 5, 2023
Subject Area(s):
Racial and Ethnic Relations, Teaching and Learning in Sociology
Resource Type(s):
Syllabus
Class Size(s):
Any
Abstract:

Race and Ethnic Relations is an online course that has earned Quality Matters (QM) certification (June 2022) at Northeastern Illinois University. It examines U.S. race and ethnic relations through a critical sociological and intersectional lens. The course begins...

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W.E.B. Du Bois
Kyla Walters
Creative Review of The Souls of Black Folk
June 16, 2023
Subject Area(s):
Race, Class and Gender, Racial and Ethnic Relations, Theory
Resource Type(s):
Assignment, Essay
Class Level(s):
College 300
Class Size(s):
Medium, Small
Abstract:

After reading W. E. B. Du Bois’ The Souls of Black Folk, students produce an original creative product analyzing the text. Students will describe the dual insights of the concept of double consciousness and examine one specific social, political,...

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A drawing of the author, who has a bushy beard and is wearing glasses
Juan Martinez
Race and Ethnic Relations Paper/Video/Audio Assignment (UDL)
June 13, 2023
Subject Area(s):
Race, Class and Gender, Racial and Ethnic Relations, Teaching and Learning in Sociology
Resource Type(s):
Assignment, Audio, PowerPoint, Video, Website
Class Level(s):
College 100, College 200, College 300, College 400, High School
Class Size(s):
Medium, Small
Abstract:

The Paper/Video/Audio assignment (henceforward, PVA) requires students to explain the social construction of race in the United States and to support their answer using a list of pre-selected course learning materials from the syllabus. Students may submit their...

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A sign that reads: "Entering Navajo Reservation U.S. Dept. Interior"
Jimiliz Valiente-Neighbours
Introduction to Native Land and Indigenous Peoples
May 9, 2023
Subject Area(s):
Race, Class and Gender, Racial and Ethnic Relations
Resource Type(s):
Assignment
Class Level(s):
College 100, College 200, College 300, College 400
Class Size(s):
Any
Abstract:

Recently, land or territory acknowledgements have become more common during formal events and on their websites. Students in K-12 and higher education institutions, however, may not yet be familiar with why the practice is done, much less the concept of native...

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A pair of green sunglasses.
Laura Krull
Discussion Guide and Paper Prompt for Keeping it Halal: The Everyday Lives of Muslim American Teenage Boys by John O’Brien
August 26, 2022
Subject Area(s):
Cultural Sociology, Introduction to Sociology/Social Problems, Religion
Resource Type(s):
Assignment, Class Activity, Essay
Class Level(s):
College 100, College 200
Class Size(s):
Any
Abstract:

This resource offers discussion questions, short activities, and an essay assignment for Keeping it Halal: The Everyday Lives of Muslim American Teenage Boys by John O’Brien (2019). I have organized the questions and activities by chapter for ease of use,...

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Two people taling across a table from each other.
Maria Duenas, Amber Crowell
Understanding Inequality through Racial Discourses Course Project
August 23, 2022
Subject Area(s):
Racial and Ethnic Relations
Resource Type(s):
Assignment
Class Level(s):
College 300, College 400
Class Size(s):
Medium, Small
Abstract:

The purpose of this course project is to explore racial discourses in everyday lives and apply concepts learned in an upper-division course on race and ethnicity or social inequality to analyze how the way in which we talk about race and racism is influenced by...

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Cartoon of a diverse group pf people sitting in a circle and talking.
DaShanne Stokes
Race, Class, and Gender Short Reflective Essay
July 15, 2022
Subject Area(s):
Race, Class and Gender, Racial and Ethnic Relations, Sex and Gender, Sexualities
Resource Type(s):
Assignment
Class Level(s):
College 100, College 200, College 300, College 400
Class Size(s):
Medium, Small
Abstract:

Making connections between personal experiences and sociological learning in Race, Class, and Gender is of paramount importance. This assignment challenges students to critically reflect on what they have learned, to relate a chosen past experience to what they...

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A multiracial group of people stare at their phones.
Hee Eun Kwon
Backfire Effect: Using Hegemony to Explore Our Own Positionality
July 15, 2022
Subject Area(s):
Racial and Ethnic Relations
Resource Type(s):
Class Activity
Class Level(s):
Any Level
Class Size(s):
Any
Abstract:

This in-class activity is designed to help students understand the theory of racial formation in the United States by having them identify “hegemony” in relation to their own positionality. Using the backfire effect as a medium to explain the elements of coercion...

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An outline of a dog painted on a wall.
Maria Scaptura
FX on Hulu’s “Reservation Dogs”: Putting Criminological Theory in Action
March 24, 2022
Subject Area(s):
Criminology/Delinquency, Deviant Behavior/Social Disorganization
Resource Type(s):
Assignment, Essay
Class Level(s):
Any Level
Class Size(s):
Any
Abstract:

“Reservation Dogs” is a 2021 comedy series on Hulu (created by FX) featuring four indigenous teenagers trying to make it out of their rural town on a reservation in Oklahoma. In their efforts to make it to California, the teenagers—Elora, Bear, Cheese and Willie...

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Laura M Krull
Identifying Manifestations of Color-Blind Racism
September 18, 2021
Subject Area(s):
Race, Class and Gender
Resource Type(s):
Assignment
Class Level(s):
College 300
Class Size(s):
Any
Abstract:
This resource details an assignment that accompanies Eduardo Bonilla-Silva’s Racism without Racists, a foundational text on race and racism used in many sociology classrooms today. This text can feel theoretical at times, so one way to further solidify students’...
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