PS 407/507: Seminar in Race, Gender & Public Policy

Preliminary Winter 2012 Syllabus University of Oregon

Tuesday/Thursday 10-11:20 AM ROOM: 905 PLC

Professor Daniel Martinez HoSang

Office: PLC 914 Email: dhosang@uoregon.edu. Phone: 346-4861

Office Hours: Tues/Thurs 11:30-1 or by appointment.

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

“Power uses difference as a way of marking who does and does not belong.”

--Stuart Hall “Subjects in History: Making Diasporic Identities”

How ideas about race and gender shape the ways public policy is debated, adopted and implemented? This course examines a range of policy topics including reproductive freedom, welfare policy, same sex marriage, immigration, and other issues of race and gender justice. We will consider all of these topics through readings in legal studies, anthropology, and history, news media sources, advocacy examples, and a variety of guest speakers. Our readings draw from a range of political commitments and perspectives and are designed to help us all reflect on our own ideas and worldviews within a shared and constructive framework.

NOTE: THIS IS A READING INTENSIVE COURSE—requiring students to read up to one book per week, and turn in a response assignment almost every week. Please consider these requirements carefully in making your enrollment decision.

The goals of this course are:

· To familiarize students with the way ideas about race, gender and sexuality shape particular policy debates

· To improve students’ abilities to read and interpret the arguments, logics and stakes within current public policy debates.

· To think critically and engage with a series of important concepts and keywords within Ethnic Studies, especially racialization, gender, discourse, 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 University Bookstore and are also held on two hour reserve at Knight Library.

• Leo Chavez. Covering Immigration: Popular Images and the Politics of the Nation. University of California Press, 2001.
• Dorothy Roberts. Killing the Black Body: Race, Reproduction, and the Meaning of Liberty. Vintage, 1998.
• Lisa Duggan. The Twilight of Equality?: Neoliberalism, Cultural Politics, and the Attack on Democracy. Beacon, 2004.
• Daniel HoSang. Racial Propositions: Ballot Initiatives and the Making of Postwar California. UC Press, 2010.
• Arlene Stein. The Stranger Next Door: The Story of a Small Community's Battle over Sex, Faith, and Civil Rights. Beacon, 2002.

In addition, for some classes, there will be required additional required readings posted on the course’s Blackboard website. Graduate students will have several additional readings assigned throughout the course, and will meet separately to discuss them.

C. Assignments

1. FIVE WEEKLY RESPONSE ASSIGNMENTS. Based on a small group schedule assigned in class, every other week you will submit a response paper that is 2-3 pages (approximately 500- 750 words) based on the weekly readings. The assignment will vary week to week--instructions for each assignment are posted on Blackboard under the “Assignments” link. You will post your assignment to the course Blackboard site (under Blogs) by midnight on the Sunday before class, so that other students may read and comment on it before class meets Tuesday. During weeks when you are not submitting a response assignment, you must provide Blackboard comments on the papers posted by others in your group. Further instructions are provided in class (40% of final grade).

2. POLITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS RESEARCH PAPER. Each student will submit an 8-10 page research paper analyzing a current policy issue using a discourse analysis or social constructionist approach, emphasizing the race and gender dimensions (graduate students will write a 15 page paper). The paper will be due in two parts—a two page summary due during Week 6 will list the topic, research question, and preliminary sources. The final paper will be due on Tuesday March 20 at 5 PM. (25% of final grade)

3. COMMENTARY ON OUT OF CLASS EVENT. Each student must attend an out of class event related to the topic of the course and write a 2-3 page response paper based on questions posted on Blackboard. There are several events listed in the syllabus. The paper is due no later than one week after the event. (10% of final grade). Students may also attend a second event and submit a second paper for up to 3 points of extra credit.

4. READING QUIZZES. There will be two short in-class reading quizzes, during Weeks 5 and 10 that will cover the key ideas and readings assigned in the course. (10% of final grade).

5. PARTICIPATION AND ATTENDANCE. To receive full credit for participation and attendance, you must attend every class, with the readings completed, ready to participate. I can and will call on all students at any point during the class discussion. If you have a documented medical emergency or a university-approved excuse, contact me as soon as possible to arrange a make-up assignment (15% of final 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. ASSIGNMENTS. All assignments must be turned in as hard copies at the beginning of class on the due date. No email submissions will be accepted. Projects and exams turned in late will receive a one letter grade deduction for each day they are submitted past the due date. No incompletes will be given for this course.
3. READING: This is a reading intensive course. Students must come to class having read all the assigned materials and prepared to engage in active discussion. For each week’s readings, there will be “framing questions” posted on Blackboard that will form the basis of our discussion. Please read them in advance so you can participate in the discussion.
4. ATTENDANCE. Attendance at every class is required. You are expected to arrive on time and stay for the entire class. If you cannot attend class, you must notify me in advance by email (dhosang@uoregon.edu) or voicemail (346-4861). To receive credit for missed class, you will have to complete an additional written assignment.
5. EMAIL CORRESPONDANCE. Please identify yourself and the name of our course in all correspondence with the instructor. Do not expect an immediate response to your email—it is not appropriate to ask a question about a response paper or exam on the night before it is due.
6. 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 me personally if you would like to be exempted from this rule.
7. 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. For the consequences of academic dishonesty, refer to the Schedule of Classes published quarterly. 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
8. DISABILITY SERVICES. The University of Oregon is working to create inclusive learning environments. If there are aspects of the instruction or design of this course that result in disability related barriers to your participation, please notify me as soon as possible. You may also wish to contact the Accessible Education Center (formerly Disability Services) in 164 Oregon Hall at 346-1155 or disabsrv@uoregon.edu or http://ds.uoregon.edu/DS_home.html.

E. Readings and Assignments Schedule

Bb=Available on course blackboard site

NOTE: All of the assigned readings for the week should be completed BEFORE class on Tuesday.

WEEK ONE: Race, Gender and the Making of Strangers

• Arlene Stein. The Stranger Next Door: The Story of a Small Community's Battle over Sex, Faith, and Civil Rights

Thursday guest speaker: Arlene Stein

EVENT: Arlene Stein “Revisiting The Stranger Next Door: Reflections on Sexual Politics and Human Dignity in the New Millennium.” Thursday January 12 at 7:00 PM, UO Knight Law Center Room 110, 1515 Agate St.

WEEK TWO: Theoretical Frameworks

• Deborah Stone. The Policy Paradox. (Introduction, Chapter 1) (Bb)
• Schneider/Ingram. “Social Construction of Target Populations: Implications for Politics and Policy.” The American Political Science Review, Vol 87, No 2 (June, 1993) (Bb)
• Goode Ben-Yehuda. “Moral Panics: Culture, Politics, and Social Construction.” Annual Review of Sociology (1994), 20: 149-171 (Bb)
• Angela Davis. “The Color of Violence Against Women.” Colorlines. 2000. (Bb)
• Glen Loury. “Why Are So Many Americans in Prison? Race and the transformation of criminal justice.” Boston Review, July/August 2007. (Bb)

EVENT: Kris Rondeau and Saket Soni “Hope in Hard Times: A conversation with two of America's leading organizers.” Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 7:00 pm. UO Knight Law Center, Room 175, 1515 Agate St.

WEEK THREE: Politics, Culture and Same Sex Marriage

• Lisa Duggan. The Twilight of Equality?
• Lisa Duggan. “What’s Right with Utah?” July 13, 2009, The Nation available at http://www.thenation.com/article/whats-right-utah

Thursday guest speaker: Kyle White, Basic Rights Oregon

WEEK FOUR: Reproductive Justice in Historic Context

• Jill Lepore. “Birthright: What’s Next for Planned Parenthood?” The New Yorker, Nov 14, 2011. (Bb)

• Dorothy Roberts. Killing the Black Body. Introduction (pp 3-21)
• Roberts, Chapter 1: “Reproduction in Bondage” (pp 22-55)
• Roberts, Chapter 2: “The Dark Side of Birth Control” (pp 56-103)
• Roberts, Chapter 4: “Making Reproduction a Crime” (pp 150-202)

Thursday guest speaker: Nichi Masters, Field Organizer, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon

Video

· La Operación (1985, Ana María García)

WEEK FIVE: Welfare and The Politics of Same Sex Marriage.

• Roberts, Chapter 5: “The Welfare Debate” (pp 202-245)

• Katherine Franke. “The Politics of Same-Sex Marriage Politics.” 15 Columbia. Journal of Gender & Law 236 (2006)

• Patrick Fagan and Kirk Johnson. “Marriage: The Safest Place for Women and Children.” The Heritage Foundation Backgrounder. April 10, 2002. (Bb)
• Wade Horn. “Use Welfare Money To Promote Marriage.” April 4, 2000 Policy Speech. (Bb)
• Johnnie Tillmon, “Welfare is a Women’s Issue,” Ms Magazine (Spring, 1972): 111-116 (Bb).

Video

· “Let’s Get Married.” (PBS)

WEEK SIX: Contemporary debates over reproductive justice

• Dorothy Roberts. Killing the Black Body. Chapters 6 to 7 (pgs 202-312)
• Asian Communities for Reproductive Justice. A New Vision for Advancing Our Movement for Reproductive Health, Reproductive Rights and Reproductive Justice (2005). Available at http://reproductivejustice.org/tools-and-media#ACRJ-A-New-Vision

Tuesday/Thursday: Class meets jointly with PS 348: Women in Politics in 207 Chapman Hall. Go to this room on both days.

Thursday guest speaker: Moira Bowman, Asian Communities for Reproductive Justice

EVENT: Bernice Johnson Reagon. Songtalk Performance. Thursday Feb 16, 7:30 PM Beall Concert Hall.

Two page summary of research project due in class on Tuesday.

WEEK SEVEN: Theories of Discourse Analysis

• Chavez. Introduction. “Discourses on Immigration and the Nation.” (1-19).
• Chavez, Chapters 2 “Developing a Visual Discourse on Immigration.” (19-33)
• Chavez, Chapter 3 “Toward a Framework for Reading Magazine Covers” (34-52)
• Chavez, Chapter 4 “A Lexicon of Images…” (53-81)

WEEK EIGHT: Framing the Immigration Debate

• Chavez. Chapter 7 “Immigrants outside the Imagined Community…” (174-214)
• Chavez. Chapter 8 “Manufacturing Consensus” (215-263).
• Chavez, Epilogue (299-303).

WEEK NINE: Race, Gender and Sexuality in California

• Nayan Shah, “Between "Oriental Depravity" and "Natural Degenerates": Spatial Borderlands and the Making of Ordinary Americans.” American Quarterly, Volume 57, Number 3, September 2005. (Blackboard)
• Daniel HoSang. Racial Propositions: Ballot Initiatives and the Making of Postwar California. Introduction, Chapters 1 to 3 (pages 1-90)

Tuesday guest speaker: Nayan Shah.

EVENT: Nayan Shah, “Stranger Intimacy and Transits Between Asia and the Americas.” Tuesday March 6, 3:30 PM, Knight Browsing Room.

EVENT: "Gender Equality and Capitalism: The Impact of Capitalist Development on Women’s Economic Status and Rights" Multiple events with featured speakers including Barbara Pocock, Nancy Folbre and Alissa Trotz. Gerlinger Lounge on afternoon of March 8; Knight Law Center on evening of March 8 (Room 110) and all day on March 9 (Room 175).

WEEK TEN: Contemporary Dilemmas of Race and Gender Justice

• HoSang. Chapters 4 to Conclusion (pages 91-274)
• Select articles on Proposition 8 (Bb)