Master of Arts Integrated Studies (MAIS) 663 Temporary Syllabus

Overview

MAIS 663: Critical Race Theory in Global Context explores conceptions of race from various perspectives in social and political theory, recognizing that such knowledge and understanding are important for making sense of the ambiguities and complexities of race and sociopolitical life in modern liberal states. Over the past two decades, critical race theory (CRT) has emerged as an important body of scholarship, first in law, and later across the social sciences and humanities. Rather than being one perspective or approach, CRT is best understood as a collection of theoretical positions that self-consciously views the construct of race through a critical lens, posing new questions on the persistence, if not the intensification, of race and the “colour line” in the twenty-first century. For example, are “race neutral” laws and “colour-blind” justice possible or desirable? Are “non-racial” or “post-racial” politics and institutions of governance possible? Do the expansion of multiracial populations and the election of leaders who are members of racialized minority groups signal the declining significance of race and racism?

This course examines the strengths and weaknesses of various perspectives on how race has been defined and (re)produced—through race making, race thinking—over time and space.

Course Objectives

The goal of this course is to help students to

1. develop a critical understanding of historical and contemporary approaches to conceptions of race.
2. understand the meanings of contemporary discourses of race, racism, antiracism, and racialization in different contexts.
3. recognize the political and social significance of debates surrounding the meaning(s) of racism.
4. appreciate the ways in which both lived experiences and the very nature of oppression itself vary owing to the interactive effects of race with other axes of difference such as gender, class, and geography.
5. understand the processes of race making in the nation state.
6. recognize the fluidity and ambiguity of the meaning and significance of racial differences and patterns of racial identification across time and place.
7. explore the workings of racism in the context of "race neutral" and "colour-blind" ideologies.
8. develop an informed perspective on the "race question" and racial theory in the twenty-first century

Student Evaluation

Students should be prepared to devote the time necessary to complete the various activities in this course:

• reading actively and critically
• participating actively online by writing succinct, critical responses and posing insightful questions
• researching and writing academic papers that are both critical and integrative

To help students develop these skills, the course professor will provide feedback on each activity. Students are expected to demonstrate a willingness to work.

To receive credit for this course, you must successfully complete the following activities and assignments:

• Participate in online in group discussion.
• Write a short critical analysis of race and media, due Monday of Week 5 (2,000 words).
• Write a short critical essay analyzing our understandings of race in class discussion, due Monday of Week 10 (1,500 words).
• Write a case study of race in a particular country of your choice, due on Monday of Week 14 (3,000-3,500 words).

The Master of Arts—Integrated Studies grading system is available online at the MAIS home page. If you are a program student, please note that it is your responsibility to maintain your program status. Any student who receives a grade of "F" in one course, or a grade of "C" in more than one course, may be required to withdraw from the program.

The following table summarizes the evaluation activities and the credit weight associated with each activity.

Course Activity	Weighting
Online Discussion	25%
Short Essay 1	20%
Short Essay 2	15%
Case Study	40%
Total	100%