Unit 2: The Race Problem and the Color Line
by Prof. Hangen - February 7th, 2014
This unit will jump around in time a little, there are some changes from the original syllabus – but in this unit we explore the paradox of race in America across time and region. Our main book will be Howard-Pitney’s collection of documents related to Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X in the 1950s and 1960s, working both backwards and forward in time from there. We also have the advantage of a relevant campus speaker, which we will attend together. This unit also kicks off our student-directed discussions. The Metaphysical Club should now be in Part Two of the book.
Tues 2/11 Firebell in the Night (Sectionalism and Slavery). Discussion Leaders: Lynette M, Rachel S. Readings:
William Lloyd Garrison – pick one off this list
David Walker’s Appeal: read either the excerpt here, or the full text here
Angelina Grimke, “Appeal to the Christian Women of the South” (1836) – it’s a bit long, so read more for general principles and her recommendations for action
Frederick Douglass, “The Hypocrisy of American Slavery” (1852)
Excerpts from American proslavery arguments
Thurs 2/13 Snow Day, no classes – Journal #4 is still due online, though!
Journal Prompt #4 – due Thurs 2/13 Which speech will you write about? How’s the research going? Use your journal entry to update me on your progress; remember you have a bibliography in one week on the 20th.
Tues 2/18 American Dilemma (Race Relations in the US before the Civil Rights Movement). Discussion Leaders: Will W, Michaela F. Readings: DuBois, “The Talented Tenth†(1903), 2 short columns by Langston Hughes written in the 1950s from the point of view of his fictional comic Harlem “everyman” Simple (click here for the PDF of both); and lastly 2 documents related to the 1944 book An American Dilemma by Swedish sociologist Gunar Myrdal: some short excerpts from the book, and a retrospective report from Carnegie Corporation who sponsored the research in the 1940s.
Update 2/18: Here is the slide presentation from today’s class –
Thurs 2/20 Civil Rights Movement(s). Discussion Leaders: Emily F, Liz B. Reading: Howard-Pitney, MLK and Malcolm X Part I (pages 1-72). Due in class: Speech Bibliography, formatted in Chicago Style and with a brief annotation (2-3 sentences) describing each source’s contribution to your paper and justifying its inclusion in the bibliography.
Tues 2/25 Racial Justice. Reading: Howard-Pitney, MLK and Malcolm X Part II (pages 73-179).
Thurs 2/27 Campus Speaker: James McBride, “The American Dream Re-imagined: Race, Ethnicity, and Education.” Location: May Street auditorium, 10 am. Please check in with me on location, I will take regular attendance. Speech Paper is Due, please turn it in to me at the lecture.
