SOC 305 - Racism & Ethnicity in Hawaii

2 or 4 credit(s)
This course focuses on the creation of race, ethnicity, and racism in Hawaii and examines how these concepts affect the culture, social structure, and social institutions in Hawaii. The course focuses on the historical and contemporary experiences of native Hawaii and other Asian/Pacific Islander ethnic groups that comprise Hawaii’s population. The course will include discussions about native Hawaiian culture, the colonization of Hawaii, the ethnic structure that was further developed in Hawaii during Hawaii’s plantation era, and how these complex histories inform and affect the current ethnic social structures and practices (e.g. education, politics, criminal justice system, ethnic humor, etc.) that exist in Hawaii. Overall, the course will expose students to the lived experiences of the various ethnic groups that constitute Hawaii’s population and provide students with an understanding of how Hawaii’s unique history affects the life chances of the different ethnic groups in Hawaii. It will also prepare students for a travel course (SOC 318) that provides students with first-hand experiences of race and ethnicity in Hawaii. When offered for 4, topics will be explored in more depth.
Core Requirement(s): Counts toward core requirements: Diverse Perspectives and Historical Context.
Prerequisite(s): SOC 101, SOC 102, SOC 110, SOC 120, SOC 130, or SOC 150.