SOC 118: Race and Ethnicity

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2021
Credits: 3
Total Contact Hours: 54
Lecture Hours : 54
Lab Hours: 0
Hours Arranged: 0
Outside of Class Hours: 108
Strongly Recommended: ENGL 101.
District General Education: D2. Behavioral Science
Transferable to CSU: Yes
Transferable to UC: Yes - Approved
Grading Method: Standard Letter, Pass/No Pass

Catalog Course Description

This course gives an overview of the psychological, social, economic, and political aspects of minority groups in contemporary American culture. It will emphasize the relationships between these groups and the dominate culture. 54 lecture hours.

Course Objectives

  • Understand the issues facing minorities in America.
  • Compare and contrast theories of prejudice and discrimination, placement of minority and majority status, and history of minority groups.
  • Develop an awareness of cultural relativity and ethnocentrism.
  • Recognize and differentiate between race and ethnicity.
  • Analyze and apply social science terminology and theory to case study examples demonstrated through films, articles, internet materials, text, and lecture.

Major Course Content

  1. History of Ethnic Groups in the U.S.
    1. culture
    2. prejudice and discrimination
    3. groups and their cultures
    4. race/ancestry versus ethnicity
  2. Minority Group Foundations
  3. Social and Ethnic Stratifications
    1. politics of stratification
  4. Inter-ethnic group contacts and clashes
  5. Minority political strategies
    1. groups
    2. individuals
  6. Power and Discrimination
    1. psychology of dominance
    2. sociology of dominance
  7. Minority Politics in the Future
  8. Minority Group Education
    1. group dynamics
  9. Housing and Urban Renewal
  10. Public Law
    1. equal employment
    2. housing

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

Ethnic studies journal articles and internet resources

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

A paper discussing the racism faced by various minority groups in America. The paper should be 4-10 pages in length, double-spaced, with one-inch margins, and in 12 point.

Examples of Outside Assignments

Find a periodical e.g. newspaper article or magazine article on race and ethnicity. Write a one page analysis of the article using the concepts discussed during lecture or from the textbook.

Instruction Type(s)

Lecture, Online Education Lecture

IGETC Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences

4J. Sociology & Criminology