WGS 3280 - Racism and Antiracism: Global perspectives

Credits: 4

This course will look at the ways in which systemic racism manifests in different social and cultural contexts, much as antiracist movements do. It will strive to understand the long-lasting epidemic of global racism and explore some of the solutions proposed and provided by communities, activists, scholars, politicians, and international and local organizations. Students will also gain greater understanding of their role in our global society and the powerful influence they can exercise over the ongoing fight against racism. This course is interdisciplinary and will draw on a variety of epistemologies from cultural studies, African and African American studies, Latin American studies, queer studies, gender and sexuality studies, political science, and psychology. The course is organized thematically around the four levels of racism (internalized, interpersonal, institutional and structural) and peace activism. It explores topics such as colorism, spirituality and antiracism, woke and anti-woke cultures, Afro-Latinx and indigenous people struggles in Latin America, climate change and racism. Some of the questions this course will seek to answer include: what are the different ways racism expresses itself? What is antiracism? How do factors such as gender, sex, culture, religion, and (dis)ability interact with race and ethnicity and influence one’s experience of racism or facilitate antiracism?
Fulfills: SOSC and D in LS Core