AMS/MCS/SOC 200

Race, Class, & Ethnic Groups in America

Course Description

Failure to deal with diversity in society clearly has led to increasing polarization among groups of people, and increasing tension, frustration, and anger. Based on the premise that the more we understand, the less we fear, Dealing With Diversity introduces students to people from many diverse populations-Native Americans, Hispanic-Americans, African-Americans, Asian-Americans, and Euro-Americans. The goal is to help students understand the different constraints and motivations of people from backgrounds different from their own.

The programs also provide important sociological lessons in social interaction, the concept of race, social class, age, gender, sexual orientation, and the sociology of minorities. Other social science issues covered include global and national demographic trends and immigration policy. The Dealing With Diversity programs were designed to show how the United States is a nation of nations, with common elements of humanity between individuals and groups of people. Led by Dr. J.Q. Adams of Western Illinois University, the programs feature on-site interviews with people talking about their cultures and their lives in American society and discussions between in-studio guests and students. Dealing With Diversity helps students develop an awareness that society is strengthened, not from striving for uniformity, but from a free and unfettered expression of individuality in all its diverse manifestations.

WAYS TO USE

• as a complete college-credit telecourse
• as a continuing education course
• as part of workshops and special seminars
• as a resource for student groups
• as part of non-credit and short courses
• as an audiovisual resource for on-campus classes
• as a major addition to the audiovisual collections of school and college libraries

PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS

101 - Course Overview
This introductory program provides definitions and an examination of ethnic/racial, religious, and cultural origins.

103 - Cross Cultural Communication in Diverse Settings
This program defines the basic characteristics and elements of communication and the difficulties of communicating across cultures.

104 - Global and National Demographic Trends
This program presents world population and U.S. population demographics and trends.

105 - Immigration Policy in the U.S.A.
. This review of immigration law shows how it has influenced the types of people that have come to the United States and the problems of rants whose immigrant status is questioned.

106 - Race: The World's Most Dangerous Myth
The concept of race is examined from scientific and cultural perspectives. The program also details the different classifications of race.

107 - Native American Culture in the U.S.A. : Part I
This program discusses the early populations of Native Americans, their rights. stereotypes, treaty disputes, and land allotments.

108 - Native American Culture in the U.S.A. : Part II
This program presents a case study of the controversy regarding the display of remains of ancient Native Americans. The program also discusses the Native American respect for the environment.

109 - Hyspanic-American Cultures in the U.S.A.
This program reveals the multiple ethnic groups classified as Hispanic, the political issue of bilingualism, and the issue of color in Hispanic society.

110 - African-American Cultures in the U.S.A. : Part I
This program presents the changing statistical and demographic data of African-Americans, the Afro-centric movement, and the causes of demographic differences between African-Americans and other ethnic groupings.

111 - African-American Cultures in the U.S.A. : Part II
This program continues with a background on African history and religion, the impact of African-American images in the media. Poor academic performance of African-Americans, and how schools perpetuate African-American stereotypes.

112 - Asian American Cultures in the U.S.A.
This program provides an overview of the many groups classified as Asian Americans and their similarities and differences. The program also contrasts the attitudes between first and second generation Asian Americans.

113 - Korean-Americans in Chicago
This program presents a case study of the underlying tension between Chicago's Korean-American business community and their African-American clientele. The program also discusses the impact of Korean Methodist and African Methodist churches in working together to diffuse racial tension.

114 - Euro-American Issues in the U.S.A.
There is great diversity between the many European ethnic groups in the United States. This program discusses the problems of Italian Americans and Jewish Americans in merging into the majority Anglo culture while retaining their individual languages and customs.

115 - Social Class in the U.S.A.
This program presents demographic data illustrating family income by ethnic group, the increasing numbers of people below the poverty level, and the plight of the homeless.

116 - Age in Issues U.S.A. : Senior Citizens
Adults over the age of 55 are one of the fastest growing segments in our society. This program discusses the impact on the healthcare industry, income distribution, housing, and issues concerning dignity and quality of life.

117 - Age Issues in the U.S.A. : Yough Culture
This program focuses on the gang culture as seen through the eyes of a police detective who is assigned to a local high school. The sociology of gang names, colors, and insignia are discussed.

118 - Gender in the U.S.A. : Part I
This program discusses women in the workforce, feminism and the feminist dictionary and recent legislative changes promoted by women.

119 - Gender in the U.S.A. : Part II
This freewheeling discussion of gender includes references to Robert Bly's Iron John, the rise of men's groups, and the rites of passage for men and women.

120 - Sexual Orientation Issues in the U.S.A. : Part I
This upfront program talks about homosexuality, the difficulties of gays and lesbians in establishing open relationships, homophobia, and violence against homosexuals.

121 - Sexual Orientation Issues in the U.S.A. : Part II
This program discusses the experiences of individuals who were denied equity and equality because of their sexual preference and specifically "The Forgotten Boy Scouts" - an organization of individuals expelled from scouting because of their sexual orientation.

122 - Ability Issues in the U.S.A.
People with disabilities are the largest minority group and many forms of discrimination exist against them. This program also discusses issues of access in the workplace and in public places, social interaction, and the economic problems of the disabled.

123 - Hate Groups in the U.S.A.
This program discusses the distribution and types of hate groups and the case that they make for white supremacy.

124 - Summary and Review of Major Concepts and Issues
This program reviews the social interaction model in relation to the concepts and issues uncovered in the series.