AS 362.355 - The Obama's: Race and Politics in Comparative Perspective

Institution:

Johns Hopkins University

Subject:

Description:

This course will compare racial politics in the United States and Brazil by examining issues such as race, religion, and political behavior that arose during Barack Obama’s political campaign and time in office. What are racial politics? How are they different in Brazil and the United States? Why was Michelle Obama’s skin complexion an issue important to African-descended women in the United States and Brazil? Does the election of an African-descended president mean there are no racial problems in the United States? Have white racial attitudes dramatically changed? Although Brazil historically touted itself as a racial democracy, why have they never elected and African descended president in a country where African-descended people now outnumber whites? Does blackness carry global currency to such an extent that it explains why five Brazilian politicians changed their names to Barack Obama when running for office? Students will learn about political opinion and behavior and racial identification in two different countries while considering these issues in a contemporary context.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.jhu.edu

Phone Number:

(410) 516-8000

Regional Accreditation:

Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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