Political Science 323                                                                                    Ron Schmidt

Minority Politics in the United States                                                       Office: SPA-253

Fall, 2001                                                                                               Phone: 562.985.4717

                                                                                                               email: rschmidt@csulb.edu

 

COURSE OUTLINE

 

PURPOSE OF COURSE:

The purpose of this course is to survey the role of "racial" minorities in American politics.  In particular, the focus of the course is on four groups that, for reasons of "race," have been subjected to systematic discrimination and political subordination in U.S. history: American Indians, African Americans, Latino Americans and Asian/Pacific Americans.  To the extent possible, the course attempts to understand American politics from the point of view of politically active and engaged persons of color.  The course aims to examine and carefully analyze competing ideologies and several different strategies of minority empowerment in U.S. political life.  The intent of the course is that this examination and analysis will not only enhance our understanding of these groups' increasingly significant political roles, but will illuminate important features of the U.S. political system as well.

 

COURSE FORMAT:

This course will be conducted in a lecture/discussion mode.  You are encouraged to raise questions and to participate in class discussions, and to do so in a manner that is respectful of the interests of others. 

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Since class discussion will be an important element of the course, you will be expected to complete the reading assignments before coming to class.  In addition, two examinations and a paper will be required.  The exams will be of the essay variety, on questions chosen by the instructor from a list provided to students one week prior to the exam.  The paper will be a five-page essay on a topic assigned by the instructor.

 

OTHER COURSE POLICIES:

1. Attendance:  you are expected to attend the class regularly if you wish to do well in the course.

 

2. "Make-up" exams will be allowed only in circumstances in which you had no control (e.g., severe illness).  The burden of proof of such circumstances rests on the student.  Papers turned in late will be penalized.

 

3. Rules of class etiquette: Entering the classroom after class begins, and leaving before class ends, is highly disruptive and should be avoided except in cases of emergency.  Except for water, eating and drinking in class are not allowed. If you carry a “beeper” or a “c-phone” into class, make sure that it is turned off before class begins.

 

4. No "extra credit" work is possible in this course.

 

5. Under University policy, students taking this course for graduate-level credit are required to do work additional to that assigned below.  See the instructor as soon as possible for details.

 

GRADING:

Your grade will be based on your performance on course examinations and the paper.  Each writing assignment will count for one-third of your course grade.  The exams will aim to test your mastery of the information presented in the course, as well as your ability to interpret and analyze that information.  All written work will be graded on the substance of what you write (e.g., accuracy of information, inference and reasoning, etc.) and on the skill with which you write (e.g., organization, syntax, spelling, "grace," etc.). 

 

REQUIRED TEXT:

All required readings for this course are contained in a "Minority Politics in the United States" reader available at Copy Pro  (packet #2008), corner of Atherton and Palo Verde Avenues in Long Beach (adjacent to the CSULB campus).

 

TOPICAL OUTLINE AND ASSIGNMENTS:

 

A. INTRODUCTORY PERSPECTIVES ON MINORITY POLITICS

 

·Week One: August 27-31

 

Course Introduction

(1) Concepts of Ethnicity and Race in the U.S.

a. “Readings” #1 (pp. 1-10): Yen Le Espiritu, “Ethnicity and Panethnicity,” from Asian Pacific Panethnicity (1992).

b. “Readings” #2 (pp. 11-18): Ian F. Haney Lopez, “Chance, Context, and Choice in the Social Construction of Race,” from Delgado & Stefancic, eds., The Latino/a Condition: A Critical Reader (New York: NYU Press, 1998).

 

·Week Two: September 3-7

 

(1) Concepts of Ethnicity and Race in the U.S. (cont.)

Reading Assigned:

a. "Readings" #3 (pp. 19-26): Howard Winant, “Contesting the Meaning of Race in the Post-Civil Rights Period,” from M.W. Hughey, ed., New Tribalisms: The Resurgence of Race and Ethnicity (New York: NYU Press, 1998).

b. “Readings” #4 (pp. 27-43): David A. Hollinger, “Haley’s Choice and the Ethno-racial Pentagon,” from Postethnic America (NY: Basic Books, 1995).

c. “Readings” #5 (pp. 44-46): “Minorities Grow to 25% of U.S. Population,” from Sacramento Bee (9-15-99).

d. “Readings” #6 (pp.47-49): Statistical Appendix, from Pincus and Erlich, eds., Race and Ethnic Conflict: Contending Views on Prejudice, Discrimination, and Ethnoviolence, 2nd ed.  (Boulder: Westview, 1999).

 

·Week Three: September 10-14

 

(2) Historical Perspectives on Race/Ethnicity in U.S.

Reading Assigned:

a. "Readings" #7 (pp. 50-84): Ronald Schmidt, "Ethnic and Racial Diversity in United States History: Origins and Patterns of Response" (unpublished manuscript, 1991).

 

B. IDEOLOGIES OF MINORITY EMPOWERMENT

 

·Week Four: September 17-21

 

(1) Assimilationism

Reading Assigned:

a. "Readings" #8 (pp.85-89): Martin Luther King, Jr., "The Ethical Demands for Integration" (1962), from James M. Washington, ed., A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr. (San Francisco: Harper, 1986).

b. "Readings" #9 (pp.90-97): Shelby Steele, "Race-Holding," from The Content of Our Character, 1990.

c. "Readings" #10 (pp. 98-107): Linda Chavez, "Introduction" and "Toward a New Politics of Hispanic Assimilation," from Out of the Barrio, 1991.

 

(2) Pluralism: Integration or Separation?

Reading Assigned:

a. "Readings" #11 (pp. 108-119): Kwame Ture and Charles V. Hamilton, "Black Power: Its Need and Substance," from Black Power: The Politics of Liberation in America (New York: Vintage Books, 1992 [1967]).

b. "Readings" #12 (pp. 120-125): Martin Luther King, “Black Power Defined” (1967), from James M. Washington, ed., A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr. (San Francisco: Harper, 1986).

 

·Week Five: September 24-28

 

(2) Pluralism: Integration or Separation? (Cont.)

Reading Assigned:

d. "Readings" #13 (pp. 126-137): Malcolm X, "The Ballot or the Bullet," from George Breitman, ed., Malcolm X Speaks (New York: Grove Press, 1965).

e. "Readings" #14 (pp.138-148): Mario Barrera, "In Search of Aztlan," from Beyond Aztlan: Ethnic Autonomy in Comparative Perspective (New York: Praeger, 1988).

 

(3) Political Economy of Empowerment

Reading Assigned:

a. "Readings" #15 (pp. 149-154): William Julius Wilson, “Introduction,” from When Work Disappears: The World of the New Urban Poor (NY: Knopf, 1996).

b. "Readings" #16 (pp. 155-158): William Julius Wilson, “New Majority Speech,” 10-1-97.

c. “Readings” #17 (pp. 159-162): Edna Bonacich, “The Site of Class,” from Torres, Miron & Inda, eds., Race, Identity & Citizenship: A Reader (NY: Blackwell, 1999).

 

·Week Six: October 1-5

 

(4) Gender, “Race,” and Empowerment

Reading Assigned:

a. “Readings” #18 (pp. 163-167): M.B. Zinn and B.T. Dill, “Theorizing Difference from Multiracial Feminism,” from Torres, Miron & Inda, eds., Race, Identity & Citizenship: A Reader (NY: Blackwell, 1999).

b. “Readings” #19 (pp. 168-174): Nira Yuval-Davis, “Ethnicity, Gender Relations and Multiculturalism,” from Torres, Miron & Inda, eds., Race, Identity & Citizenship: A Reader (NY: Blackwell, 1999).

c. “Readings” #20 (pp. 175-180): Patricia Hill Collins, “What’s in a Name? Womanism, Black Feminism, and Beyond,” from Torres, Miron & Inda, eds., Race, Identity & Citizenship: A Reader (NY: Blackwell, 1999).

 

TAKE-HOME MIDTERM EXAM DUE.

 

·Week Seven: October 8-12

 

C. POLITICAL STRATEGIES OF MINORITY EMPOWERMENT

 

(1) Litigation Strategies of Empowerment: The Voting Rights Act

Reading Assigned:

a. "Readings" #21 (pp. 181-187): Karen O'Connor and Lee Epstein, "A Legal Voice for the Chicano Community: The Activities of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, 1968-82," from Rodolfo de la Garza, et. al., eds., The Mexican American Experience: An Interdisciplinary Anthology (Austin: University of Texas Press, 1985).

b. "Readings" #22 (pp. 188-193): Newspaper articles on MALDEF's suit against L.A. County Board of Supervisors, 1990-91 (L.A. Times and N.Y. Times).

c. “Readings” #23 (pp. 194-199): Lani Guinier, “Voting Rights and Democratic Theory,” from Bernard Grofman and Chandler Davidson, eds., Controversies in Minority Voting (Washington, D.C.: The Brookings Institution, 1992).

d. “Readings” #24 (pp. 200-201): Syllabus—Shaw v. Reno (1994)

e. “Readings” #25 (pp.202-210): N.Y. Times articles (1995-97) re US Supreme Court decisions on Voting Rights Act.

f. “Readings” #26 (pp. 211-216): Bernard Grofman & Lisa Handley, “Voting Rights in the 1990s: An Overview,” from B. Grofman, ed., Race and Redistricting in the 1990s (NY: Agathon, 1998).

g. “Readings” #27 (pp. 208-218): David G. Savage, “Refusal Shows Extent of High Court’s Shift on Race,” Los Angeles Times, 1-19-00.

h. “Readings #28 (pp. 219-224): Carol M. Swain, “The Future of Black Representation,” from The American Prospect, no. 23 (Fall 1995).

 

·Week Eight: October 15-19

 

(2) Political Incorporation and Local Electoral Politics

Reading Assigned:

a. “Readings” #29 (pp. 225-242): Rufus Browning, Dale Rogers Marshall, and David H. Tabb, "Introduction: Can People of Color Achieve Power in City Government?  The Setting and the Issues" and “Mobilization, Incorporation, and Policy in Ten California Cities,” from Browning, Marshall and Tabb, eds., Racial Politics in American Cities, 2nd ed. (New York: Longman, 1997).

b. “Readings” #30 (pp.243-254): Raphael J. Sonenshein, “Post-Incorporation Politics in Los Angeles,” from Browning, Marshall and Tabb, eds., Racial Politics in American Cities, 2nd ed. (New York: Longman, 1997).

c. “Readings” #31 (pp. 255-269): Jaime A. Regalado, “Minority Political Incorporation in Los Angeles: A Broader Consideration,” from Preston, Cain and Bass, eds.,  Racial and Ethnic Politics in California (Berkeley: UC Institute for Governmental Studies, 1998).

 

·Week Nine: October 22-26

 

(2) Political Incorporation and Local Electoral Politics (cont.)

Reading Assigned:

a. “Readings” #32 (pp. 270-282): Paul Ong and Evelyn Blumenberg, “Income and Racial Inequality in Los Angeles,” from Scott and Soja, eds., The City: Los Angeles and Urban Theory at the End of the Twentieth Century (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1996).

b. “Readings” #33 (pp. 283-291): Carol Hardy-Fanta, “Latina Women and Politics in Boston: Somos La Vida, La Fuerza, La Mujer, from F. Chris Garcia, ed., Pursuing Power: Latinos and the Political System (Notre Dame: U. of Notre Dame Press, 1997).

 

(3) Political Incorporation and National Electoral Politics

Reading Assigned:

a. “Readings” #34 (pp.292-304): Lenneal Henderson, “Black Politics and American Presidential Elections,” from Preston, Henderson and Puryear, eds., The New Black Politics (N.Y.: Longman, 1987).

b. “Readings” #35 (pp.305-308): Michael Janofsky, “Candidates Courting Hispanic Vote,” New York Times (6-25-00).

c. “Readings” #36 (pp. 309-314): Kevin Coleman, “Asian Pacific American Political Participation and Representation in Elective Office,”  Congressional Research Service  (4-13-00).

 

·Week Ten: October 29-November 2

 

(3) Political Incorporation and National Electoral Politics (cont.)

Reading Assigned:

a. “Readings” #37 (pp.315-327): R. de la Garza, “‘And Then There Were Some. . .’” Aztlan V.15 (Spring 1984).

b. “Readings” #38 (pp.328-331): Lizette Alvarez, “For Hispanic Lawmakers, Time to Take the Offensive,” New York Times, 1997.

c. “Readings” #39 (pp. 332-335): Mark Z. Barabak, “Latinos Struggle for Role in National Leadership Politics,” Los Angeles Times, 1998.

d. “Readings” #40 (pp. 336-339): John M. Broder, “Clinton, Defying G.O.P., Names Lee to Rights Post,” New York Times, 1997.

e.“Readings” #41 (pp.340-345): Henry Weinstein and Eric Lichtblau, “A Tough Enforcer—But Willing to Talk,” Los Angeles Times (5-14-00).

f. “Readings” #42 (pp. 346-348): Kirk Johnson, “Holding the Chips, Tribes Naturally Play Politics,” New York Times, 1997.

 

·Week Eleven: November 5-9

 

MIDTERM EXAM; VIDEO

 

·Week Twelve: November 12-16

 

D. AMERICAN INDIAN POLITICS AND PUBLIC POLICY

 

Reading Assigned:

a.“Readings” #43 (pp.349-357): U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, “Context for Evaluation,” from Indian Tribes: A Continuing Quest For Survival (Washington, D.C.: June 1981).

b.“Readings” #44 (pp.358-366): David Wilkins, “Convoluted Essence: Indian Rights and the Federal Trust Doctrine,” from Native Americas, 1997.

c. “Readings” #45 (pp. 367-374): Robert B. Porter, “Crisis Pending: Governance in Tribal America,” from Native Americas, 1999.

d. “Readings” #46 (pp.375-381): Timothy Egan, “Backlash Growing as Indians Make Stand for Sovereignty,” New York Times, March 9, 1998.

e. “Readings” #47 (pp.382-384): Timothy Egan, “Two Cabinet Secretaries Held in Contempt Over Problems in Indian Trust Accord,” New York Times, February 23, 1999.

f. “Readings” #48 (pp. 385-389): Timothy Egan, “Poor Indians Who Own Rich Lands Try to Break Out of Vast Federal Maze,” New York Times, March 9, 1999.

g.“Readings” #49 (pp. 390-392): Sam Howe Verhovek, “Joy and Anger as Tribe Kills a Gray Whale,” New York Times, May 18, 1999.

h.”Readings” #50 (pp. 393-396) :Timothy Egan, “Authenticity Is Tourist Attraction at American Indian Reservations,” New York Times, September 21, 1998.

i. “Readings” #51 (pp. 397-400): Dirk Johnson, “Growth of Gambling on Tribal Land Starts Trek Back Home by Indians,” New York Times, January 17, 1999.

j. “Readings” #52 (pp. 401-404): Brett Pulley, “Tribes Weigh Tradition Against Casino Growth,” New York Times, March 16, 1999.

k. “Readings: #53 (pp. 405-409): Peter T. Kilborn, “For Poorest Indians, Casinos Aren’t Enough,” New York Times, 1997.

 

·Week Thirteen: November 19-23 (Thanksgiving Week)                                             

 

E. PUBLIC POLICY STRATEGIES OF EMPOWERMENT

 

(1) Public Policy and Minority Empowerment

Reading Assigned:

a. “Readings” #54 (pp. 410-422): Lawrence D. Bobo, “The Color Line, the Dilemma, and the Dream: Race Relations in America at the Close of the Twentieth Century,” from John Higham, ed., Civil Rights and Social Wrongs (Pennsylvania State Univ. Press, 1997).

b. “Readings” #55 (p. 423): Ron Schmidt, “Public Policy and Minority Empowerment: A Typology” (outline).

c. “Readings” #56 (pp.424-426): Jodi Wilgoren, “Report Calls for New Focus on Aid for Minority Students,” New York Times (10-17-99).

d. “Readings” #57 (pp. 427-432): Russell Sage Foundation, “Major RSF Program Shows How Race Affects Job Prospects in U.S.,” (10-8-99).

 

·Week Fourteen: November 26-30

 

(2) Affirmative Action Policy

Reading Assigned:

a. “Readings” #58 (pp.433-442): L.A. Times articles (1995) on Affirmative Action controversy’s origins and legal conflicts.

b. “Readings” #59 (pp.443-449): The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc., “Civil Rights Act of 1991--Analysis,” 1991.

c. “Readings” #60 (pp.450-454): N.Y. Times article (6-13-95) on U.S. Supreme Court decision (Adarand v. Pena, 1995).

d.“Readings” #61 (pp.455-462): Ex-Governor Pete Wilson, “An Open Letter From Governor Pete Wilson to the People of California,” May 31, 1995.

e. “Readings” #62 (pp. 463-469): L.A. Times articles (4-30, 5-1, 3-7, 1995) re AA.

f. “Readings” #63 (pp. 470-473): Richard Flacks, Book Review: The Shape of the River: Long-Term Consequences of Considering Race in College and University Admissions, by William G. Bowen and Derek Bok.  Los Angeles Times 7-4-99.

 

·Week Fifteen: December 3-7

 

(3) Language Policy

Reading Assigned:

a. “Readings” #64 (pp. 474-486): Ronald Schmidt, “Latinos and Language Policy: The Politics of Culture,” from F. Chris Garcia, ed. Pursuing Power: Latinos and the Political System (Notre Dame: University of Notre Dame Press, 1997).

b. “Readings” #65 (pp. 487-490): Sen. S.I. Hayakawa, “The Case for Official English,” from James Crawford, ed., Language Loyalties (University of Chicago Press, 1992).

c. “Readings” #66 (pp.491-494): Linda Chavez, “One Nation, One Language,” Reader’s Digest (1995).

d. “Readings” #67 (pp. 495-507): Juan F. Perea, “Death by English,” from from Delgado & Stefancic, eds., The Latino/a Condition: A Critical Reader (New York: NYU Press, 1998).

e. “Readings” #68 (pp.508-509): Victoria Lee-Jerrems and Ellen Wu, “A Crude Way to Teach Asian Pacific Americans English,” Los Angeles Times, 1998.

e. “Readings” #69 (pp.510-513): James Brooke, “American Indians Trying to Save Languages From Extinction,” New York Times, 1998.

 

·Week Sixteen: December 11-15

 

FINAL EXAMS

 

Section 1 (MW 2-3:15 class): Monday, December 11, 12:30-2 p.m.

Section 2 (TR   2-3:15 class): Thursday, December 14, 12:30-2 p.m.

 

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