SOCY 2543 Racial and Ethnic Relations Syllabus W01 Spring 2026

Credit Hours 3.00 Lecture Hours 3 Clinical/Lab Hours 0
Type of Credit
CIP Code
45.1101
Course Meeting Time

Online/Asynchronous 

Course Description

This course is a comparative analysis of racial and ethnic groups; examining elements of group identity, social movements, government policy, individual and institutional discrimination, and related social problems. IAI: S7 903D.

Prerequisites

Appropriate assessment score or ENGL 1422 with a grade of C or better - Must be taken either prior to or at the same time as this course.

Course Alignment

IAI Number
S7-903D
IAI Title
Racial and Ethnic Relations
General Education Outcomes

General Education Outcomes are the knowledge, skills, abilities, attitudes, and behaviors that students are expected to develop as a result of their overall experiences with any aspect of the college, including courses, programs, and student services, both inside and outside of the classroom. The General Education Outcomes specifically learned in this course are:

  1. Critical Thinking
  2. Responsibility
Explanation of Course Alignment

AAS: Social and behavioral science elective. IAI: S7 903D Social and behavioral science.

Faculty Contact Information

Faculty Name
Jessica Maureen Oladapo
Faculty Email
Faculty Phone
815-802-8707
Faculty Office Number
L311
Faculty Student Support Hours

TTH - 9am -11am (L311)

Friday - 9am - 11am (online)

Faculty Information

Jessica Oladapo, L311

Course Information

Course Outcomes

At the end of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a familiarity with sociological concepts relevant to the study of race and ethnicity.
  2. Illustrate the ability to apply the major sociological perspectives to issues of race and ethnicity.
  3. Utilize social science research methods.
  4. Analyze social science journal articles.
  5. Critique various responses to social problems related to race and ethnicity.
Topical Outline
  1. Exploring Race and Ethnicity 
  2. Prejudice
  3. Discrimination 
  4. South Africa 
  5. Immigration 
  6. Ethnicity and Whiteness 
  7. Native Americans 
  8. African Americans 
  9. Hispanic/Latinx 
  10. Asian Americans 
  11. Muslim/ Arab Americans 
  12. Jewish Americans 
  13. Overcoming Exclusion
Textbook/s and Course Materials

Schaefer, Richard T., Racial and Ethnic Groups. Latest edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ:

Pearson Prentice Hall..

Other required readings will be posted via CANVAS.

Methods of Evaluation

Grading

  • Discussion Posts

  • 2 Exams (Midterm & Final)

 

The grading breakdown is:

Exams – 50%

Discussion posts – 50%

 

Grading Scale

A --- (100 – 90%)

B --- (90 – 80%)

C --- (80 – 70%)

D --- (70 - 60%)

F --- less than 60%

Academic Division

Liberal Arts & Sciences

Dean, Jennifer Huggins; 815-802-8484; R310; jhuggins@kcc.edu; Division Office- W102; 815-802-8700

Course Policies

General Expectations:

1. Participate each week.

2. Be respectful of each person’s opinion. There will be conversation around provocative topics, and I am sure that conversation can get heated. We all come from different walks of life and have different experiences. However, respect demands that we engage respectfully.

3. We will try our very best to stay on schedule with the syllabus, however, I have the right to adjust the syllabus to best meet the needs of the students in the class. 


General Set up of the class

1. POSTING REQUIREMENTS: Each week there will be discussion sections. Please respond with an original post/answer.

2. You may respond to your classmates’ original posts. These responses should be thoughtful, challenging, and well organized. A response of “I agree” or “I disagree” is not thought provoking. You may, however, add to an idea, refute an idea, and give an argument as to why you agree or disagree, citing evidence from the text. Responses are not required but are encouraged. Additional points may be gained for thoughtful, thought provoking responses that further the conversation.

3. Also in the folder for each week, there may be possible video clips and other reading materials. Please pay close attention to the discussion question as it may require you to watch or read the other materials prior to completion.

4. There are also two exams. You will have an entire week to complete the exams.

5. This is a completely online course. As such, you are required to be able to work independently and stay on task. Quizzes will be on material covered in the text, as well as the online discussions. You are responsible for reading and understanding the material. I am available and during office hours if clarification is needed.

Course Calendar
Date Assignments Due
January 12- January 18Introductions 
January 19 – January 25Chapter 1 – Exploring Race and Ethnicity 
January 26 – February 1Chapter 2 & 3– Prejudice and Discrimination 
February 2 – February 8Chapter 2 & 3– Prejudice and Discrimination 
February 9 – February 15Chapter 18 – South Africa 
February 16 – February 22Chapter 4 Immigration 
February 23 – March 1Chapter 5– Ethnicity and Religion 
March 2 – March 8Chapter 6 – Native Americans 
March 9 – March 15Chapter 7 & 8 – African Americans 
March 16 – March 22Chapter 7 & 8 – African AmericansMidterm Due by March 22
March 23 – March 29Chapter 9 & 10 – Hispanic/Latinx 
March 30 – April 5Chapter 9 & 10 – Hispanic/Latinx 
April 6 – April 12Chapter 12 & 13 – Asian Americans 
April 13 – April 19Chapter 12 & 13 – Asian Americans 
April 20 – April 26Chapter 11 – Muslim/ Arab Americans 
April 27 – May 3Chapter 14 – Jewish Americans 
May 4 – May 10 Final Due by May 10
May 11 – May 14Final Exams Week 

College Policies, Resources and Supports

College Policies

For information related to the Student Code of Conduct Policy, Withdrawal Policy, Email Policy, and Non- Attendance/Non-Participation Policy, please review the college’s Code of Campus Affairs and Regulations webpage, which can be found at catalog.kcc.edu under the Academic Regulations & Conduct Guide. 

Resources

KCC offers various academic and personal resources for all students. Many services are offered virtually, as well as in person. Please visit Student Resources - Kankakee Community College to access student resources services such as:

  • Clubs and organizations
  • Counseling and referral services
  • Office of disability services
  • Student complaint policy
  • Transfer services
  • Tutoring services, etc.