Taofang Huang

Course Description

This course is intended to provide students with a fundamental understanding of how race and ethnicity affectsAmerican politics with a focus on the historical and political development of the four major racial and ethnic groups in the United States: ethnic Whites, pan-African-Americans, pan-Hispanics, and pan-Asians. The following questions are addressed:

1. How is the concept of race and ethnicity historically, socially, and politically constructed for each racial and ethnic group? What factors are in play?
2. How does the formation of group identity affect individuals’ and groups’ political behaviors?
3. How do different racial and ethnic groups interact with one another? Do various groups share the same perceptions of one another? Why or why not? How do these interactions and perceptions influence individual political orientations and behaviors?
4. How should or can we reevaluate the role of race and ethnicity in the contemporary American politics? What methods are available to political scientists (and social scientists)?

Ultimately, my goal for students in this class is to become an informed and critical thinker as well as a participant of American politics. While race and ethnicity is everywhere, students will learn how to observe and examine the politicalworld with the lens of race and ethnicity.

Grading Policy

 Evaluations on students will be determined according to the following breakdown: 

Midterm Examination I: 25%

Midterm Examination II: 25%

Research Proposal: 5%

Research Draft: 10%

Research Paper: 10%

Response Papers: 10%

Attendance and Participation: 15%

Texts

 Kinder, Donald R . and Lynn M. Sander. 1996. Divided by Color: Racial Politics and Democratic Ideals. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Barreto, Matt. 2010. Ethnic Cues: The Role of Shared Ethnicity in Latino Political Participation. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press.

Aoki, Andrew and Okiyoshi Takeda. 2008. Asian American Politics. Cambridge, MA: Polity Press.

Shively, W. Phillips. 2004. The Craft of Political Research. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice Hall.

Bb (Blackboard): Various readings culled from academic texts, journals, and the popular press. These readings will be available on blackboard.

This course is intended to provide students with a fundamental understanding of government andpolitics in the United States and Texas, with a focus on the content and practice of U.S. and Texasconstitutions. Three main questions are addressed:

I. How is the political system of the United States designed and operated?

II. How is Texas politics designed and operated?

III. What are the differences of political systems between the federal and state levels?

IV. What role do ordinary citizens play in the political process?

Ultimately, my goal for you in this class is to become an informed and critical thinker as well as aparticipant of American politics. After all, this is about the governance of your everyday life in Americansociety.

Prerequisites for course (see course description in the online course catalog): “Twelve semester hours ofcollege coursework and a passing score on the reading section of the Texas Higher Education Assessment(THEA) test (or an appropriate assessment test).” Note that if students do not know what THEA is, thenit probably does not apply to them. Also, the 12 hour rule may or may not be enforced. Refer toUndergraduate Advising if you have any questions on these prerequisites.

Your Grade in this course will be determined according to the following breakdown:

Midterm Exam I: 25%

Midterm Exam II: 30%

Midterm Exam III: 30%

Homework and Quizzes: 15% (Ignoring the worst QZ score)

Required Text is available at the Co-Op:

Bianco, William T. and David T. Cannon. 2010. American Politics Today, New York: Norton. (“B&C”)Core Second Edition, Loose leaf: three-hole punchISBN: 978-0-393-14955-5

• Texas Politics (http://texaspolitics.laits.utexas.edu), a free, multi-media textbook (“TX”).

• Readings on Blackboard (“Bb”): During the term some additional required readings will be postedunder “Course Documents” on Blackboard. * The instructor reserves the right to modify readingassignments based on class needs.

see syllabus