ANTHRO 105/105G: QUESTIONS OF RACE AND RACISM

This course introduces anthropological and interdisciplinary perspectives on ‘race’ and the workings of racism, from both local and international frames of reference. The course begins by considering the variety of meanings of ‘race’ and ‘ethnic groups’ and how anthropologists distinguish these concepts. The course proceeds by considering what race is as a broader social manifestation and biological concept and whether it is scientifically useful to use this concept to describe human biological variation. The lectures that follow present anthropological as well as interdisciplinary perspectives on the social concepts of race and racism, and their social impacts in New Zealand and beyond.

Topics covered:

The Biology of Race

Nott & Gliddon, Types of Mankind, 1854. Public domain

Extreme Racism    

 

Clifford, J. Image posted for article in Irregular Times (irregulartimes.com), 5/1/15

Everyday Racism at the University of Auckland

  

An Angela Davis quote spraypainted on a wall, photographed in Wellington by Ro Cambridge

Politics of Race and Ethnicity in Superhero Comics

 

from cover of Action Comics #148, 1950. Authors uncertain

Race and Nation

   

Image by RidzDesign (Ridwan Adhami), c. 2008

Mainstream Media and Māori

    

Getty Images n.d.

Slavery and Colonization; History of Racism

  

Image from http://blogs.ua.es/africaenelsiglo16/, original source unknown

Global Versus Local Racism

Associated Press, n.d.

 Sex, Class and Race

  

Cover of Selma James's Sex, Race and Class, 2012: PM Press

Rethinking Race

   

Propaganda poster by Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss), c.1941-5

 Black Nationalism and Afro-Futurism in Rap Music

Sun Ra and his Arkestra in New York in 1967. Photograph: Herve Gloaguen/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

Delivery format

Three hours per week:

• One 2-hour lecture and discussion session per week.
• One 1-hour tutorial or skills workshop per week.

Multi-media flexible learning methods are available to enhance your learning.

Assessment

Coursework  (workload):

• Learning skills assignment (10%)
• First written assignment: 800- 1000 words (15%)
• Second written assignment: 1200-1500 words (25%)
• A two-hour exam (50%)

Resources and readings are available on Canvas

Course coordinator:  Orna Weinroth

o.weinroth@auckland.ac.nz

Yuki Kihara
Head with Pelvimeter 2015
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki

LEARNING OUTCOMES (Aims and Objectives)

• To introduce students to the theoretical perspectives, methods and data used by anthropologists
  
• To understand how that perspective applies to a range of issues to do with race and racism in New Zealand and around the world.
• To be able to conduct research on topics which investigate race and racism in society and apply the new concepts you will learn so you are able to write coherently about these topics.
• To improve your general academic reading, writing and note-taking skills