Fall 2005

SOC 389K • 8-Demography of Minorities

Course Description

The purpose of this course is the development of a coherent comparative analysis of the major minority groups in the US along important social-demographic dimensions, ie a comparison among minority groups as well as with the majority (non-Hispanic whites). By and large, a number of concerns revolving around the concepts of 'minority groups' and 'race and ethnicity' fall under the heading of 'demography' broadly defined. For example, health and mortality differentials between race/ethnic groups are a major focus of current research in the US, and several specific health goals set by the US government focus on them. Likewise, much concern and debate revolves around the changing race/ethnic composition of the US, which, of course, depends upon levels of immigration, fertility, and mortality. Other items of interest falling under this topic include vast resource especially socioeconomic status) differentials across groups, differing patterns of family structure across groups, residential segregation, among others.

Texts

No text is required, but a list of readings (not exhaustive) goes along with each seminar meeting. Many of the readings will be available at the Population Research Center library. However, it is students' responsibility to find the other readings in the Perry Casteneda Library or online using the bibliographic citations the instructor provides.

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