This course deals centrally with the social process by which societies create racial and ethnic groups and define their place in relation to other racial or ethnic groups. Because the emergence of racial and ethnic groups is a historical process, the course will examine American history from the colonial period to the present in order to understand the changing ways that Americans have viewed each other and divided into groups. In short, the course will be rooted in specific processes in American history, but will examine how America formed groups that are given power and prestige, recognized as real Americans, discriminated against, marginalized, enslaved or killed. The groups to be examined include, but are not limited to, Blacks, Native Americans, Irish-Americans, Italian-Americans, Chinese-Americans, Jews, and Chicanos. Note: This course can be used to satisfy the university Core Studies in Race (RS) requirement. Although it may be usable towards graduation as a major requirement or university elective, it cannot be used to satisfy any of the university GenEd requirements. See your advisor for further information.