Course Description
A history of racism exploring the ideology’s association with slavery and other forms of oppression. Examination of ethnic and racial representations in ancient Greek, Roman, and Judaic texts, then the medieval and modern periods, ending with nineteenth-century pseudo-scientific racism and the Nazi Holocaust.
Athena Title
History of Racism
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
The primary objective of this course is to provide students with an historical framework for interpreting the history and contemporary manifestations of racism and related ideologies. An equally important second objective is to develop the students’ academic skills. Students in this course will improve their reading, thinking, and analytical skills. Students will be expected to: 1) Read primary sources from many genres, as well as the related secondary literature in which scholars debate the origins and political functions of ethnic and racial stereotypes. 2) Improve their skills in critically assessing various types of texts. 3) Discuss assigned readings in class and write formal essays analyzing the assigned texts.
Topical Outline
Week One: Introduction to the Course and the History and Theory of Racism Week Two: Review of the Historical Debates about Racism Week Three: Ancient Representations of Ethnicity and Race Week Four: Scriptural Slavery and the Racialization of the ‘Curse of Ham’ Week Five: Medieval Racial Stereotypes and the Abrahamic Religions Week Six: Race, Slavery, and Religion in Medieval Islamic Africa Week Seven: The Connection Between Islamic and Christian Views on Race Week Eight: The Atlantic Slave Trade and Western Racism Week Nine: Atlantic Slavery and Racial Ideologies Week Ten: The Abolition Movement and Racial Representations Week Eleven: Race, Social Darwinism, and the Abolition of Slavery Week Twelve: Scientific Racism and European Imperialism in Africa and Asia Week Thirteen: Race, the World Wars, and the Nazi Holocaust Week Fourteen: The Post-War Anti-Racist Movements Week Fifteen: Analyzing the Historical Connection Between Racism and Oppression
Syllabus