PS 399 Race, Law and Public Policy

Winter 2009 Syllabus

Department of Political Science	University of Oregon
Tues/Thurs 10:00-11:20 AM	ROOM: 208 DEA CRN: 24452

Professor: D. Martinez HoSang	GTF: Joshua Plencner	GTF: Brian Guy
Office: PLC 923	Office: PLC 636	Office: MCK 440N
Email: dhosang@uoregon.edu	Email: jplencne@uoregon.edu	Email: bguy@uoregon.edu
Office Phone: 346-4861	Office Phone: 346--4972	Office Phone: 346--4417
Office Hours: Tues/Thurs 12:00-1:30	Office Hours: Thurs 1:30-3:00	Office Hours:

Important Note: This syllabus is subject to change as the course progresses. These periodic changes will be announced in class and a current copy of the syllabus will always be posted on the course Blackboard website. You should make sure your current email is linked to the Blackboard system and check email and Blackboard regularly for these updates.

A. Course Description

This course examines the development, transformation and inheritance of structures of racial domination and resistance in the United States. The readings, lectures and exercises are designed to both familiarize students with the history and contemporary impact of these structures and to explore the complex relationship between race, political action, and democracy. The wide range of reading material we will draw upon includes Barack Obama’s first memoir, a study of federal race and immigration law in the early 20^th century, an exploration of Latino racial identity and politics in California, and a legal argument about the productive role race might play in broadly enhancing democracy.

The goals of this course are:

· To familiarize students with some of the important themes, debates and arguments central to understanding racial politics in the United States during the last 100 years.

· To think critically and engage with a series of important concepts within Ethnic Studies and Political Science, especially racism, nationalism, ideology, identity, and power.

· To improve critical writing and analysis skills through regular practice and feedback.

· To provide extensive opportunities for students to reflect upon their own experiences and perspectives in light of the course themes.

B. Required Texts

The following required texts are available for purchase at the UO Duck Store and also on reserve at Knight Library:

• Ian Haney Lopez. White by Law: The Legal Construction of Race (10^th Anniversary Edition). NYU Press, 2006.
• Lisa Garcia Bedolla. Fluid Borders: Latino Power, Identity and Politics in Los Angeles. UC Press, 2006.
• Lani Gunier & Gerald Torres. The Miner's Canary: Enlisting Race, Resisting Power, Transforming Democracy. Harvard Press, 2002.
• Barack Obama. Dreams From My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance. Three Rivers Press. Revised Edition, 2004. (Also in general interest section of Duck Store or at almost any local bookstore)

Notes: (1) The book by Rinku Sen at the Duck Store is no longer assigned. (2) For some classes, there will be required additional required readings posted on the course’s Blackboard website. See reading schedule below.

C. Assignments

1. SEVEN IN CLASS QUIZES. These quizzes will assess your comprehension of the assigned reading, lectures and class discussions. Some questions will be given in advance and you will prepare your answer to bring to class. The remaining questions will be given in class. Your lowest score will be dropped. No make-up quizzes are possible. (50% of final grade)

2. MIDTERM IN-CLASS EXAM. The midterm exam will be based on materials from the first half of the course and will include a set of short identification and essay questions. (20% of final grade)

3. FINAL TAKE HOME EXAM. The final exam will be based on materials from throughout the course and will include a set of 3-4 essay questions. The exam will be distributed in class during the last regular session and will be due no later than 10 AM on Monday March 16. Late exams are deducted one full grade for each day late. (30% of final grade)

4. PARTICIPATION AND ATTENDANCE. Attendance, advanced reading and participation are critical. I can and will call on all students at any point during the class discussion. Regular participation in the course can increase your final grade by one-half letter grade.

D. Other Course Policies

1. CLASSROOM CONDUCT. We are all accountable to create a climate of mutual respect in the classroom. While differences of opinion and perspective are vital and will be encouraged, common courtesy as well as University policy prohibit personal attacks and discriminatory conduct.

2. INCOMPLETES. No incompletes will be given for this course.

3. ATTENDANCE. You are expected to arrive on time and stay for the entire class. Regular tardiness, early departures or absences can result in your final grade being lowered by up to a full letter grade. You must see the instructor during the first week if you have any university-approved absences (e.g. for athletics or other university-approved reasons).

4. EMAIL CORRESPONDANCE. Please identify yourself and the name of our course in all correspondence with the professor and GTF. Do not expect an immediate response to your email—it is not appropriate to ask a question about an assignment or exam on the night before it is due.

5. ELECTRONIC DEVICES. Wireless devices including Blackberries and cell phones must be turned off prior to class. I strongly prefer that laptops not be used during class. You must see the instructor personally if you would like to be exempted from this rule and you must sit in the first two rows of class to use a laptop.

6. ACADEMIC DISHONESTY AND PLAGARISM. All work submitted in this course must be your own and produced exclusively for this course. The use of sources (ideas, quotations, paraphrases) must be properly acknowledged and documented. Violations will be taken seriously and are noted on student disciplinary records. If you are in doubt regarding the requirements, please consult with the instructor before you complete any requirement of the course. Please review the University’s policies at: http://studentlife.uoregon.edu/judicial/conduct/sai.htm

7. DISABILITY SERVICES. If you have a documented disability and anticipate needing accommodations in this course, please make arrangements to meet with me soon. Please bring a notification letter from Disability Services outlining your approved accommodations. For information on Disability Services, see http://ds.uoregon.edu/DS_home.html

E. Readings Schedule

WK & DATE		THEMES	TUESDAY READING	THURSDAY READING
1. 1/6	Setting the stage			Obama “A More Perfect Union” (Bb)
2. 1/13	National inheritances		Obama. Dreams pp vii-91	Obama. Dreams pp 92-129
3. 1/20	Race and community change		Obama. Dreams pp 133-222	Obama. Dreams pp 223-295
4. 1/27	Global aspects of race		Obama. Dreams pp 299-391	Obama. Dreams pp 392-442
5. 2/3	Legal construction of race		Haney Lopez. White pp. xii-34.	Haney Lopez. White pp. 35-108.
6. 2/10	Race in Los Angeles		Bedolla. Borders pp 1-60	In class midterm exam
7. 2/17	Theorizing racial resistance		Bedolla. Borders pp 61-100	Race in Oregon Politics (Bb)
8. 2/24	The political uses of race		Bedolla. Borders pp 137-174	Guinier & Torres. Canary pp 1-66
9. 3/2	Imagining new possibilities		Guinier & Torres. Canary pp. 67-107	Guinier & Torres. Canary pp 168-222
10. 3/9	Local inheritances		Race Politics in Eugene (Bb)	Course Review (Bb)