76-185 Grand Challenge Interdisciplinary Freshman Seminar: Racism
9 units, Carnegie Mellon University
Racism is a complex phenomenon that refers to historically hierarchical power differences between groups e.g. Native populations and Europeans during the conquest, ideas about how humans can be classified into groups by race, and also discriminatory practices against nondominant groups. This system of social relations and ideology serves to justify social inequality and differential treatment. If we are to end racism, we must strive to understand it. What are the historical origins of racism How is racism reproduced How does race influence identity formation Can racism produce positive identities Why has the struggle against racism shifted from a demand for human rights to a search for diversity and inclusion This course will examine racism in Pittsburgh, in the United States, and in several other countries and regions throughout the world. We will approach racism from multiple academic disciplines and perspectives from discourse analysis and comparative history to literary analysis and film criticism. While we will spend time analyzing the history and ways racism and race function in our society, much of the course will focus on reflecting on what has been done and what could be done to overcome racism. Students are encouraged to bring their own experiences, questions, and ideas into the course. Toward that end, our course will include several field trips, guest speakers and community collaborations. We will invite students to work together in small teams to design solutions to particular facets of racial inequality in Pittsburgh, from education to housing to employment to the criminal justice system. And we will provide each team with a small sum of money to put their ideas into practice.
Prerequisites: none listed
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