FYEC - FYEC 159-160 The Stranger Friend or foe?

Institution:

Randolph-Macon College

Subject:

Description:

How do you know? Human beings have always lived in groups based on cooperation and mutual aid.Yet they are also strongly inclined to draw lines around their own groups and to treat those on the other side differently. Why? While in-group and out-group labels are often based on categories such as ethnicity, nationality, or socio-economic class, they are often arbitrary, and change from place to place and time to time. This FYE will examine the historical and cultural context in which categories of Us v. Them, Self and Other, Citizen and Foreigner take shape. Relying on cultural comparisons and literary texts, we will explore how friends and strangers are defined and how they are (mis) treated based on those definitions. Examining historical processes such as colonialism, we will discuss how different peoples have come into contact and the clashes, oppressions, and accommodations that have resulted. Taking a contemporary view of globalization, we will explore how the economic, political, and cultural shrinking of our world shapes cross-cultural (mis) understanding. Along the way, we will grapple with challenging questions about power and prejudice, war and peace, and the capacity of the human race to create a more harmonious world. Specific issues will include: immigration, racism, and human rights. Area of Knowledge requirements met: one sociology course under the Social Sciences area and one literature course under the Arts and Literature area. Four hours each semester. Mr. London, Ms. Hilliard.

Credits:

4.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.rmc.edu

Phone Number:

(804) 752-7200

Regional Accreditation:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Four-one-four plan

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