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
Prerequisite
Any HIST course or ENGL 1101 or ENGL 1101E or ENGL 1101S or ENGL 1102 or ENGL 1102E or ENGL 1102S or POLS 1101 or POLS 1101E or POLS 1101H or POLS 1101S
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to arrive at conclusions about the history of racism by gathering and weighing evidence, logical argument, and listening to counter argument.
By the end of this course, students will be able to write stylistically appropriate papers and essays. Students will be able to analyze ideas and evidence, organize their thoughts, and revise and edit their finished essays.
By the end of this course, students will be able to identify how the history of racism shaped diverse social and cultural attitudes toward race and ethnicity, stereotypes and hatred, and ethics and morality, encouraging them to understand diverse worldviews and experiences.
By the end of this course, students will be able to apply appropriate methodological approaches to their analysis of primary sources and to organize their evidence to show historical continuities and discontinuities.
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
Institutional Competencies Learning Outcomes
Analytical Thinking
The ability to reason, interpret, analyze, and solve problems from a wide array of authentic contexts.
Communication
The ability to effectively develop, express, and exchange ideas in written, oral, interpersonal, or visual form.
Critical Thinking
The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.
