2024 Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses Humanities and social science courses
Essence of Humanities and Social Sciences52:American studies
- Academic unit or major
- Humanities and social science courses
- Instructor(s)
- Sanae Akaba
- Class Format
- Lecture (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 3-4 Wed
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- LAH.S444
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2024
- Offered quarter
- 2Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 14, 2025
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
This class will be held in English.
In this class, students will learn about race, racial issues, and systemic/institutional racism impacted by the white supremacy ideology that have been frequently discussed in the United States (U.S.) today.
This class aims to help students gain knowledge and ideas of the functionlity of white supremacy and systemic racism in the U.S. and to become able to apply them to act against and dismantle systemic discrimination in the U.S., Japan, and elsewhere in 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 various social issues in the U.S., Japan, and elsewhere in the world.
Keywords
Race, culture, racism, 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, the instructor will provide a lecture on the topic and hold small/whole group discussion sessions. Students are expected to submit a reflection paper weekly. The lecture will be held in English, but students may ask questions in English and Japanese.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Orientation Single story: Stereotypes | We will cover course objectives, class expectations and agreements. Students will learn about stereotypes. |
| Class 2 | Race & racial identity and culture | Students will learn about race, racial identity and cultural diversity in the U.S. |
| Class 3 | White supremacy, whiteness | Students will learn about white supremacy and whiteness in the U.S. through a historical lens. |
| Class 4 | White supremacy | Students will learn about white supremacy in the U.S. through a historical lens. |
| Class 5 | Systemic racism and culturally relevant practice Action plans | Students will learn about culturally relevant practice (CRP) that has been frequently discussed in the U.S. today. |
| Class 6 | Systemic racism (immigration) | Students will learn about systemic racism in the U.S. through a historical lens. |
| Class 7 | Review and final examination | We will 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 are provided as needed in class.
Critical Race Theory: An Introduction. (2017). By Richard Delgado and Jean Stefancic
Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?: And Other Conversations About Race. (2017). By Beverly Daniel Tatum
The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America. (2017). By Richard Rothstein
Freedom is a Constant Struggle: Ferguson, Palestine, and the Foundations of a Movement. (2016). By Angela Y. Davis
Evaluation methods and criteria
Reflection paper, class participation: 10%x5 = 50%
Final paper: 50%
Related courses
- LAH.S313 ： Special Lecture: American studies
Prerequisites
N/A