2021 Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses Humanities and social science courses
Special Lecture: American studies
- Academic unit or major
- Humanities and social science courses
- Instructor(s)
- Sanae Akaba
- Class Format
- Lecture
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 5-6 Mon (W931)
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- LAH.S313
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2021
- Offered quarter
- 3Q
- Syllabus updated
- Jul 10, 2025
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
In this class, students will learn about race, racial issues, and systemic/institutional racism impacted by the white supremacy ideology by reviewing various historical events and policies in the United States (U.S.).
The aim of this class is for students to gain knowledge and ideas that are helpful to become aware of and better understand racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity and to respect the differences that people bring into the world.
Course description and aims
1. Obtain foundational knowledge of social issues in the U.S., especially race and systemic racism.
2. Learn about the functionality of white supremacy in the U.S. society and elsewhere in the world.
3. Apply the understanding of racism and white supremacy to the various social issues in the U.S.
Keywords
Race, systemic/institutional racism, white supremacy
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
In each class, instructor will provide a lecture on the topic(s) in English and time for class and group discussion. Students are expected to attend each lecture, participate in class and group discussion, and submit a reflection paper weekly.
*** Update (8/5/2021) ***
This class will be held in English, not Japanese as currently listed. The syllabus will be updated accordingly in September.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Orientation Unites States today | Learn about contemporary issues in the U.S. |
| Class 2 | Race | Learn about race and racial composition in the U.S. |
| Class 3 | Social class, immigration, intersectionality | Learn about social class, immigration, intersectionality in relation to race in the U.S. |
| Class 4 | Systemic racism (1) Enslavement, Jim Crow law, housing (red lining) | Learn about enslavement, Jim Crow law, and red lining. |
| Class 5 | Systemic racism (2) Health care, education, immigration | Learn about health care, education, and immigration. |
| Class 6 | Systemic racism (3) Law enforcement, criminal justice, economy | Learn about law enforcement, criminal justice, and economy. |
| Class 7 | Review | Review the topics covered in class. |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
Not required.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Course materials will be provided as needed in class.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Attendance and participation in class and group discussion （５％ x ７＝３５％）
Reflection paper （５％ｘ７＝３５％）
Final paper （30%）
Related courses
- LAH.S444 ： Essence of Humanities and Social Sciences52:American studies
Prerequisites
None
Other
*** Update (8/5/2021) ***
This class will be held in English, not Japanese as currently listed. The syllabus will be updated accordingly in September.