MODULE 3: ETHNICITY/IMMIGRATION/RELIGION

The third module will begin with a look at ethnicity/immigration/religion in the U.S., the effects on society, the power of myths, and what can be done.

Reading/Viewing: Our reading and viewing list may include but is not limited to: 

  • Causes of Prejudice by Vincent N. Parillo
  • From Rereading America: “Quandaries of Representation” by Mona El-Ghobashy
  • Watch "The Danger of a Single Story," a TED Talks by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
  • From Rereading America: Rez Life by David Treuer
  • From Rereading America: “How Immigrants Become ‘Other’” by Suarez-Orozco
  • Full text of Trump's executive order on 7-nation ban, refugee suspension from CNNPolitics.com
  • From How Does It Feel to Be a Problem: Being Young and Arab in America: “Rasha” by Moustafa Bayoumi -- handout

In-class Dialog, Group Discussion, and Exploratory Writing: We will begin this module writing a response to the question “What effects, good or bad, has your ethnicity or immigrant status had on your life or the life of your family?” As we progress through the module, we will choose specific aspects of our topic to focus on through group and class discussions and exploratory writing exercises. To help facilitate our class discussions, you may be asked to:

  • Document the opinions of one or two persons outside of class on their ideas of immigration
  • Bring in one media story depicting discrimination based on immigrant status, ethnicity, or religion or one erroneously purporting to be such
  • As a group, locate news stories for and against immigration. Is there a difference in the language used when discussing issues of immigration? What metaphors are used? Describe any differences you notice
  • Based on what you’ve read, write down how you distinguish between race and ethnicity?

Reading Response Blog Postings: All readings will be assigned as homework. These homework assignments will not be considered complete until you have added a reading response post to the course blog if one is assigned for that reading. This is an informal posting but should be a thoughtful response, and posts will be taken up at length in class.

Response Essay: Research a recent conflict between ethnic or cultural groups on your campus or in your community. For example, there was a conflict last year regarding deporting members of Clarkston, Georgia’s Somali immigrant community. What are the views on both sides of the conflict? What triggered the conflict? Is there a history of conflict? Do you see a solution? This assignment is an expository essay of 3–4 double-spaced, typed pages detailing the conflict and resolution, if there has been one, or a resolution you think might work. Or you can choose a national issue, such as President Trump’s recent executive order.

Click here to download assignment sheet.