1. Williams College
Department of Political Science
Black Politics
Spring 2009
Professor: Bernard Moore Office Hours: Tues 7:00-9:45 p.m.
Office: South Academic Building 227 Telephone: 413-597-4771
Email: Bernard.moore@williams.edu
Course Focus
The scope of participation by African Americans in the dominant American political system will
be examined in the context of understanding the special forms of participation characteristic of
black politics. At the same time, the range of political ideologies associated with black politics
and American race relations will be examined. The historical evolution of socioeconomic
conditions will also be explored. A primary goal of this course is to develop reliable concepts of
black politics in the United States. The course is designed for advanced sophomore, juniors and
seniors.
Course Requirements
Grades
Your grade in the seminar will be based on the following components:
Seminar Participation (20% of seminar grade): Participation is critical to a successful seminar
so I am requiring you to lead one seminar discussion of assigned readings over the course of the
semester (to be arranged on first day). Discussion leaders should be prepared to initiate an
engaging/critical discussion of the week’s readings to start the meeting. I will occasionally resort
to the Socratic Method to facilitate participation, and take note of your contributions to
discussions generally.
Precises (40% of precises) Each student will be required write 3 short papers (precises) on these
readings on selected readings. Most of the students will read the common week, but three will
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2. read books for the individual readings. These three students will be required to give oral
presentations and write precises on their individual readings. They also will be expected to hand
out copies of precises to the rest of the class. The other students, who choose to write on that
week’s readings, will write on the common readings. A précis is normally three to four pages in
length. It is a synopsis (not a critique) of the reading. All precises are due at the beginning of
class and extensions normally will not be given.
Term Paper (40% of seminar grade): The core requirement of the seminar is a 20 to 25 page
term paper integrating theory and data (likely secondary) to address a topic at the intersection of
Black Politics. To facilitate development of quality papers, and opportunity to for constructive
feedback, I am requiring that you complete the paper in two stages (each graded separately).
1. Research Paper Proposal and Annotated Bibliography (10% of final paper grade):
You are required to produce a paper proposal which states the problem or issue you
plan to address, provides an abstract and/or outline detailing the approach you intend
to take, and includes an annotated bibliography of seven to ten key references and/or
sources. Due week 8 (You will be asked to discuss your proposal in class that week).
2. Final Research Paper (30% of final paper grade): Due on May 4, 2009.
Black Politics and students will be expected to present their research in class on May
.4, 2009
Students with Disabilities. If you have a documented disability and anticipate needing
accommodations in this course, please make arrangements to meet with the professor the first
week of class. At that time, we will discuss any accommodations necessary for your successful
participation in the course.
Optional Journal/Portfolio
Students can complete a journal/portfolio of entries pertaining to race in criminal justice, racial
disparities and racial profiling, based on events and experiences that occur during this semester.
Journal/portfolios should consist of copies of articles from the New York Times/Washington
Post relevant to concepts in the readings, lectures and other course activities; and typewritten
responses of approximately one to two double-spaced pages to each article. Journals will be
evaluated in terms of their ability to integrate and extend class concepts in depth and detail. As
a general rule, portfolio must include at least seven entries. Up to two entries may relate to
conversations or experiences students have had relevant to the course materials. Portfolios
should be neat and well organized; unprofessional work will be marked lower. For extra credit
toward the final grade may be earned from this assignment. Optional journal/portfolios are due in
class on Monday, May 11, 2009.
Guidelines for Written Assignments
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3. All papers shall be typed in the following format: double spaced with 1 inch margins all around,
and a 10 or 12 point font, stapled once in the top left hand corner (no binders, folders, etc.).
Papers should be printed in a standard font (Arial, Courier, Times, Bookman, etc.) and NOT in
any particularly creative fonts (e.g., Comic Sans MS).
Make-up Assignments
There will be no make-up assignments for unexcused absences. Acceptable excuses (medical or
personal emergencies and college-related business) must be provided to the instructor before the
assignment is due and in writing to be considered. Students who are unable to complete an
assignment for legitimate reasons that do not qualify as excused under college guidelines, and
who notify the instructor before the assignment is due, may, at the discretion of the instructor,
turn in late assignments for partial credit.
Penalties for Late Assignments
Assignments turned in on the day they are due but after assignment were collected in class will
face five-percent penalty. Each additional late day will accrue an additional ten percent
deduction. Electronic submission of assignments will not be accepted except at the discretion of
and by the invitation of the instructor.
Electronic Communication:
If you wish to send a message to me please include a recognizable subject line. Doing so allows
me to instantly recognize your message as important and distinguishes it from the many
messages from strange e-mail addresses that arrive on a daily basis, and facilitates a prompt
response from me. If you send me an e-mail message and do not receive a prompt response,
please do not hesitate to send a follow-up. While I try to answer each e-mail, it can be easy to
accidentally overlook any particular message.
Students are responsible for monitoring and contributing to class electronic communication.
Text
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4. Hanes Walton and Robert C. Smith, American Politics and the African American Quest for
Universal Freedom (Longman, 2000)
Required Readings
It is important that you do the readings assigned for each class meetings in advance. So that you
can actively participate in the discussions. This is a seminar so you will be expected to have
given the material some thought and come to class prepared to raise issues and ask questions.
The will come from materials on mainly on reserved book in the College Library.
An Overview of Black Politics in America
Week 1
February 4 A. General Perspectives:
Hanes Walton and Robert Smith, American Politics and the African American
Quest for Universal Freedom, Ch. 3 and 4.
John Powell, H. Jeffries, D. Newhart and E. Stiens, “Towards a Tranformative
View of Race,” ed.
Marguerite Barnett & Hefner, Public Policy for the Black Community, Ch.1:
“Theoretical Perspectives….”
Selected Readings for Precises
Henry, Chares. The Political Culture of the United States.
Fendrich, James Max. Ideal Citizens
Harris, Fredrick. Something Within: Religion in African American Political
Activism.
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5. Lincoln, Eric C., and Lawrence Mamiya. The Black Church and the African
American Experience.
Week 2
February 9 B. Political Science Concepts
Walton and Smith, American Political and African American Quest for
Universal Freedom
Michael Dawson, Black Vision, Ch. 1
Mack Jones, “Political Science and the Black Political Experience: Issues in
Epistemology and Relevance”. National Political Science Review” Vol. 3,
25-39.
Week 3 C. Concepts of Race in Political Behavior and Ideology
February 16
Robert Smith, We have No Leaders, Ch. 1.
Walters, Ron, “Barack Obama and the Politics of Blackness,” Journal of Black
Studies 38, 1 (Sept. 2007): 7:29
Claudine Gay, “Putting Race in Context,” American Political Science Review 98,
4 (Nov. 2004): 547-562.
Walton and Smith, American Politics and American Quest…, Ch. 5.
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6. Michael Omi and H. Winant, “Postmodern Racial Politics…,” ed. Theodore
Rueter, The Politics of Race, Ch.4.
Pierre van de Berge, Race and Racism, Ch.1.
Amiri Baraka, “Malcolm As Ideology,” ed. Joe Woods, Malcolm X: In Our Own
Image, pp. 19-35.
Selected Readings for Precises
Dawson, Michael. Behind the Mule: Race and Class in African-American
Politics.
Kinder, Donald, and Lynn Sanders. Divided by Color: racial Politics and
Democratic Ideals.
Smith, Robert C., and Richard Seltzer. Contemporary Controversies and the
American Racial Divide.
The Emergence of Continuing Issues and Patterns of Behavior in Black Politics
Week 4 A. Historical Political Development of Black Institutions
February 23
Antibellum Political Organizing:
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7. Walton and Smith, American Politics and the African American Quest, Ch. 2
Molefi Asante and A. Abarry, African Intellectual Heritage, Statements of F.
Douglass, N. Turner and D. Walker, pp. 609-640.
Alphonso Pinkney, In Red and Black……, “The Black Nationalist Tradition,”
Sterling Stuckey, Slave Culture, Ch. 3, “Garnett….” And Ch.4, “Identity”
John Hope Franklin, From Slavery to Freedom, Chs. 17 & 18 in 3rd
. (or two
Chapters on post-Civil War period in more recent editions).
Lerone Bennett, Black Power, USA, Ch. 5.
Mary Berry and J. Blassingame, Long Memory, pp. 92-113.
Eugene Genovese, Roll Jordan Roll.
Melville Herskovits, The Myth of the Negro Past, “Africanisms Religious Life.”
C. Van Woodward, The Strange Career of Jim Crow.
John Hope Franklin, Reconstruction After the Civil War.
Derek Bell, And We Are Not Saved, Ch. 1.
Selected Readings for Precises
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8. C. Van Woodward, The Strange Career of Jim Crow.
John Hope Franklin, Reconstruction After the Civil War.
Curtis, Michael. No State Shall Abridge: The Fourteenth Amendment and the Bill
of Rights.
Noonan, John T. Narrowing the Nation’s Power: The Supreme Court Sides with
the States.
Week 5 B. The Emergence of Nationalist-Integrationist Controversy
March 2
S. Stuckey, Slave Culture, Ch. 5, “DuBois….”
M. Marable, Black Leadership, Ch. 3&4.
Harold Cruse, The Crisis of the Negro Intellectual pp. 3-88 and 171-180.
John White, Black Leadership in America, Chs. 3&4.
Meyer Winberg, W.E.B. DuBois, A Reader
Eugene Genovese, In Red and Black, Ch. 9.
Selected Readings for Precises
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9. W.E.B. DuBois, The Souls of Black Folk, “Of Book T. Washington and Others.”
F. Broderick and A. Meier, Negro Protest Thought in the Twentieth Century,
“Booker T….,” and “Monroe Trotter…”
Alphonso Pinkney, In Red and Black….., “The Black Nationalist Tradition,”
Bernard Magubane, “Pan-Africanism,” The Ties That Blind.
Twentieth Century Black Nationalism
Week 6 A. The Garvey Movement
March 9
Amy J. Garvey, Philosophy and Opinions of Marcus Garvey, Vol. II, pp. 1-8.
Wilson J. Moses, Creative Conflict in African American Thought, Chs. 13&14.
M. Asante and Abarry, African Intellectual……, pp.402-8.
Walton and Smith, American Politics and African American Quest, Ch.8 pp.125-
133.
B. Modern Nationalists and Afrcentrists
C. Elaine Brown, A Taste of Power, Ch.1
“Farrakhan....,: Emerge (August 1990)
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10. Vincent Franklin, Living Our Stories….,”Malcolm X…”
Theodore Vincent, Black Power and the Garvey Movement, Ch.1.
Selected Readings for Precises
Giddings, Paula. When and Where I Enter: The Impact of Black Women and
Race and Sex in America.
Smith, Robert C. We have No Leaders: African Americans in the Post-Civil
Rights Era.
Stuck, Sterling. The Ideological origins of Black Nationalism.
Civil Rights Movement and Voting Rights Politics
Week 7 A. The Organizing of the Movement and Protest
March 16
Aldon Morris, The Origins of the Civil Rights Movement, Chapter 1, 2, 3 and 6.
Manning Marable, Black American Politics, Ch.2, “The Marches….”.
Robert Smith, We Have No Leaders, Ch.2, “National Black Political
Convention.”
Yvette Alex-Assensoh and Karin Stanford, “Gender, Participation and the Black
Urban Underclass,” ed. Cathy Cohen et al., Women Transforming Politics.
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11. Peter Eisinger, “Racial Differences in Protest Participation,” American Political
Science Review 75, 2 (June 1974), pp. 595-606.
Martin L. King, “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” in Why We Can’t Wait.
S. Carmichael and C. Hamilton, Black Power, Chapter 4&6.
F. Broderick and A. Meier, Negro Protest Thought in the Twentieth Century.
Andrew Hacker, Two Nations, Ch.1.
Selected Readings for Precises
Yvette Alex-Assensoh and Karin Stanford, “Gender, Participation and the Black
Urban Underclass,” ed. Cathy Cohen et al., Women Transforming Politics.
L. King, “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” in Why We Can’t Wait.
Stuck, Sterling. The Ideological origins of Black Nationalism.
Week 8
March 23 Spring Recess
Week 9
March 30 Spring Recess
Week 10
April 6 Voting Rights
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12. Chandler Davis, Minority Vote Dilution, Ch. 1&2
L. Barker, Jones and Tate, African Americans…..Ch.8
Lani Guinier, “What Color Is Your Gerrymander?....” ed. T. Rueter, The Politics
of Race.
Hanes Walton, Black Political Parties, Ch.4
Voting Behavior and Electoral Politics
Week 11 A. Patterns of Black Voting
April 13
Katherine Tate, Black Faces in the Mirror, Ch.1.
Melissa Harris-Lacewell, Barbershops, Bibles and BET, Ch. 3, “Black Talk……”
Walton and Smith, American Politics and African American Quest, Ch.10.
Norman Nie, Verba and Petrockik, The Changing American Voter, Ch.2&3
Lawrence Bobo and Franklyn Gilliam, “Race, Socio-Political Participation, and
Black Empowerment,” American Political Science Review, 84, 2 (June 1990).
Stuck, Sterling. The Ideological origins of Black Nationalism.
Edward Carmines and J. Stimson, “……Kennedy to Reagon,” ed. T. Rueter, The
Politics of Race.
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13. Selected Readings for Precises
Frymer, Paul. Uneasy Alliances: Race and Party Competition in America.
Guinier, Lani. The Tyranny of the Majority.
Walters, Ronald. Black Presidential Politics: A Strategic Approach.
Walton, Hanes, Jr. “Black voting Behavior in the Segregationist Era.
Week 12 B. Presidential Politics
April 20
Manning Marable, Black American, Chapter 5, “Rainbow Rebellion.”
TBA
Week 13 C. Local Political Participation
April 27
Georgia Persons, “Black Mayoralities….,” in Persons, Dilemmas…, Ch.10
Walton and Smith, American Politics and African American, Ch.9
M. Davis and A. Willingham, “Andrew Young….,” in Persons, Dilemmas, Ch. 8.
T. Rueter, The Politics of Race, Chs. 21-23 by R. Sonenshein, J. Sleeper and B.
Bradley.
Civil Rights and Interest Group Politics
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14. Week 14 A. Desegegration and Affirmative Action in Education
May 4
Hanes Walton, African American Power…., Ch. 5, pp. 77-86 and Ch. 9, pp. 154
75.
Martin Carnoy, Faded Dreams, Ch. 7
Lorenzo Morris, Elusive Equality, Ch. 1 & 7.
Selected Readings for Precises
Bowles and Bok, The Shape of the River Introduction & Conclusion.
Derrick Bell, Race and Racism in American Law.
Gail Thomas, ed. Black Students in Higher Education.
Race and Social Class
Week 15 A. Empirical of Analysis of Race and Class Factor
May 11
Melissa Harris-Lacewell, Barbershops, Bibles and BET, Ch.1
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15. Michael Dawson, Behind the Mule, Chapter 1 and 2.
William J. Wilson, The Declining Significance of Race, Chs. 1&2.
Douglass Glasgow, The Black Underclass, Chapter 2.
Oliver C. Cox, Caste, Class and Race, pp. 567-583.
Richard Coward & F. Piven, The Politics of Turmoil, Part 3.
Selected Readings for Precises
Richard Allen, Black Awakening in Capitalist America.
Lawrence Otis Graham, Our Kind of People: Inside America’s Black Upper.
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