CES 301:

RACE AND GLOBAL INEQUALITIES

Course Website: www.josealamillo.com

Meets: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:10am-10:25am

Fulfills: [M] Writing in the Major

Semester: SPRING 2006

Classroom: CUE 409

Instructor: José Alamillo, Assistant Professor

Office: Wilson Hall 120

E-mail: alamillo@wsu.edu

Phone: 509-335-4793

Office Hours: Tuesday & Thursday 10:30-12noon

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course seeks to expand on traditional conceptualization of Ethnic Studies as a discipline by exploring the connections between racial, gender, and economic inequalities from a "global" perspective. CES 201 focused on a wide range of complex historical, cultural and political forces that have and continue to shape racial and ethnic groups in the United States. CES 301 will examine inequalities of wealth, resources, and power that separate racial and ethnic groups, men and women, immigrants and refugees, workers and the underclass, peasants and indigenous people across Europe, South Africa, and North and South America. We will begin with a historical examination of racial formation from a world historical perspective, beginning in the fifteenth to the twentieth century. Then we will shift to the Post World War II world to compare four case studies: United States, South Africa, Brazil, and Europe. Given the recent racial conflicts in France, we will spend time examining the “immigrant racialization” of Algerians and North Africans in France. We will then examine cultural, spatial, psychological and intellectual displacement of Asian immigrants, exiles, refugees, expatriates and migrants in the Americas. Then, we will discuss how sexual violence is used as a tool of patriarchy and colonialism against Native women in Canada and the United States. Lastly, we will read how Latin American women are waging a labor organizing campaign in Honduras’ banana plantations and redefining transnational feminism, international labor solidarity, and human rights.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1) Students will learn about global approaches to the field of ethnic studies

2) Students will learn to think critically about racial, gender, and economic inequalities in a global and comparative context.

3) Students will write about contemporary global issues.

4) Students will present their research paper at an academic conference.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

● Attendance/Participation

It is critical that everyone attend class and be involved in class discussion. You will receive points for both attendance and class. You will receive 5 points for attendance and participation. Excluding the first day of class and April 20th, there will be 28 class meetings for a total of 140 points. Only approved and documented university excuses will be accepted. You are allowed up to two absences from the instructor. Additional absence will reduce your final attendance and participation by 5 points. Please read the assigned readings before class and write in your journal and be prepared to share your thoughts and ask questions. In terms of participation it is important that you write down your thoughts and questions to improve the quality of your contribution to discussions. I expect every student to show respect for others' opinions and perspectives and hope to engage each other in a productive dialogue, choosing to agree to disagree when necessary. 140 points.  

● Journals

This class will require more than reading, but engaging the reading material through writing. By writing a journal it will help you prepare for class discussions.. Journal entries should be word processed or typed. You must write an entry for each reading and film/video. Please use a two-pocket binder folder and write your name, student I.D. on the front cover. Each entry should include two paragraphs and one question: (1) brief summary of the reading (2) evaluation of reading with strengths and weaknesses (3) one question on the reading. NOTE: Journals will be collected on Thursdays every week, beginning on January 12^th. Each journal entry (total 14) will be worth 10 points for a total of 270 points. I will not accept late journals, unless you have an excused absence or made arrangements to turn in my mailbox or received an extension from the instructor. 270 points.

● Final Paper

The course requires a final research paper on a topic related to global inequalities. The paper should be at least 8 pages and no longer than 10 pages. This will require that you select a topic at the outset, write a proposal (abstract), conduct library and online research and complete an annotated bibliography, and complete a final draft for feedback from the instructor, and finally make final revisions on your paper. You may use secondary academic sources, especially books, web resources, newspaper and scholarly articles.

Topic ………………………..………10pts (Due 2/7)

Proposal…………………………….20pts (Due 2/14)

Annotated Bibliography…………30pts (Due 3/21)

Draft Paper…………………. …….40pts (Due 4/11)

Final Paper…………………………300pts (Due 5/3)

● Final Presentation

Each student will be required to present their final paper at the CES Student Conference scheduled for Friday, April 28, 2006. If you cannot attend the conference you may have the option of presenting to the class on the last week of class. You are greatly encouraged to submit a paper proposal to the CES Student conference. This will be good experience for you to present at an academic conference. With the feedback you receive from the instructor and attendees at the conference you will have time to revise the final paper. 10 pages equals approximately 20 minutes of presentation. 190 points.

● Final Grade Calculation:

Attendance/Participation……………….140 points

Journal……………………………………...270 points

Final Presentation……………………… 190 points

Final Paper…………………………………300 points

 total    900 points

Grade Calculation:

A 900-810 points

B       809-730 points

C 729-650 points

D 649-570 points

F under 569 points