Course Description
Interpersonal communication and how ethnicity-race impacts our understanding of race, discrimination, and racism in close relationships. Historical, sociological, and psychological factors that affect individual relationships, including interracial relationships, homogamy, and friendships.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Additional readings and a research project will be required.
Athena Title
Ethnicity Race Close Relations
Prerequisite
COMM 1500 or COMM 3700 or AFAM 2000 or PSYC (AFAM) 2150 or AFAM(PSYC) 3150
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
This class is designed to educate students about ethnicity-race and its influence on interpersonal relationships from a communication perspective. This course is interdisciplinary in nature and aims to encourage dialogue, discussion, and critical thought regarding communication, relationships, and identity as they relate to an understanding of ethnicity-race in the United States - both how our personal relationships can perpetuate racial inequality and how they can reduce racial inequality. More specific goals are to: (1) understand the role of history in the racial and cultural identities in the United States; (2) explore the inextricable and multidimensional relationship between race, culture, and communication; (3) understand, process, and critique theories that enhance understandings of racialized experiences; (4) apply various theories about race to experiential learning opportunities; and (5) reflect on and critique the relationship between scholarship and real-world events regarding race and ethnicity. Students will apply their learning through written assignments and examinations.
Topical Outline
Week 1 The Black Family Week 2 Historical Background Week 3 Film and Race Week 4 Maternal and Paternal Roles Week 5 Slave Narratives; Family Support Week 6 Dating and Physical Intimacy Week 7 Male-Female Relationships Week 8 Marriage and Divorce Week 9 Black and White Relationships Week 10 African American (Female) Standards of Beauty Week 11 Family Violence – Staples (p. 259); Williams (p. 265) Week 12 Popular Culture and Constructions of Racial Realities Week 13 African American Communication Phenomena Week 14 African American Communication Phenomena Week 15 African American Communication Phenomena Week 16 The Extended Family
Syllabus