We will use empirical data to analyze how inter- and intra-racial discrimination based on skin color and hairstyles are forms of discrimination apparent in virtually every social institution, such as marriage rates, media, imprisonment, holding political office, educational attainment, wages, and more.
Athena Title
Colorism and Hairism
Semester Course Offered
Offered every year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student learning Outcomes
Students will understand how colorism and hairism impact communities of color.
Students will learn the history and rationale behind colorism and hairism.
Students will gain knowledge of contemporary research on skin tone, colorism, and hairism.
Students will learn how to fight against colorism and hairism.
Students will consider and engage with different viewpoints from voices and groups of people in the U.S. and around the world to gain knowledge of contemporary research on skin tone, colorism, and hairism by reading and analyzing writings.
Topical Outline
1. History of colorism and hairism
2. Legality of colorism and hairism
3. Colorism and hairism in the criminal justice system
