First-Year Seminar FSM BC 1537x POLITICS OF IDENTITY
Fall 1999
416-b Lehman Hall, Tues/Thurs 1:10-2:25
Professor Linda Beck 

Course Description:   The goals of the First-Year Seminar are to give you an opportunity to discuss themes central to the human experience, to improve your ability to read critically and analyze texts from a variety of disciplines, to develop your ability to articulate ideas and arguments orally, and to help you learn how to write coherent college-level essays based on readings and class discussion. In this section of the seminar, our theme is the politics of identity. Over the course of the semester, we will discuss different forms of identity, the historical construction of cultural differences in various countries, and alternative strategies available to individuals, groups and states to address issues that arise in culturally diverse societies.

Course Requirements:

Readings:   All readings are required and may be obtained at the Barnard Reserve Room or at Labyrinth Books on 112^th Street and Broadway. You should be prepared to discuss the readings on the dates they are assigned.

Francisco de Vitoria, On the American Indians," in Political Writings

      of F. de Vitoria (1991)

Rigoberta Menchu, I Rigoberta Menchu (1984)

George Fredrickson, White Supremacy (1981)

Ralph Ellison, Invisible Man (1947)

B.R. Ambedkar, Annihilation of Caste (1933)

Salman Rushdie, The Moor's Last Sigh (1996)

Papers:   There will be three short papers on topics related to the readings. Topics will be distributed in class one week prior to the paper's due date. After receiving initial comments from the professor on the first paper, students will revise the paper. Each subsequent paper will be submitted for peer review. Peer editing will be done in groups of three or four in which students comment on the essays of each group member. Students will be provided with a form to complete for each member, to be returned to the author and then submitted for evaluation with the revised draft of the paper. For additional information, see memorandum on writing and editing papers.

Attendance:   Class participation is necessary to achieve the goals of the First-Year Seminar. Therefore, you are expected to attend all class sessions. Unexcused absences will affect the class participation portion of your final grade.

Grade Criteria:   Papers: 30 points each x 3 = 90%; Peer Editing: 5%; Class Participation: 5%.

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CLASS SCHEDULE:

September 7 - Class Introduction: Politics of Identity

I.   An Early Version of Cultural Imperialism: Religion and 'Just Wars' of Conquest

September 9 - Spanish Conquest of the Americas

Introduction to The Political Writings of Francisco de Vitoria

September 14 - Vitoria, On the American Indians, pp. 231-251

September 16 - Vitoria, On the American Indians, pp. 251-292

II.   Indigenous Peoples of the Americas Today: Ethnicity, Class and Gender in Guatemala

September 21 - Identity Politics among Indigenous Peoples in Latin America

I Rigoberta Menchu, pp. 1-58.

Guest Lecturer: Elisabeth Friedman

September 23 - Menchu, I Rigoberta Menchu, pp. 59-182.

September 28 - - Menchu, I Rigoberta Menchu, pp. 183-247.

September 30 - Discussion of Writing Techniques:

The Importance of the Introduction and Conclusion

Articles from New York Times Book Review

* * * First Paper Due Monday, 4 October * * *

October 5 – Debate: Autobiography or Fiction? Does it Matter?

Articles on Menchu in New York Review of Books and Lingua Franca

III.   A Comparative History of Racism in the United States and South Africa

October 7 - The Concept of Race and the Ideology of Racism

George Fredrickson, White Supremacy, introduction and chapters 1-2

* * * Revised Version of First Paper Due Monday, 11 October * * *

October 12 - Fredrickson, White Supremacy, chapters 3-4

October 14 - Fredrickson, White Supremacy, chapters 5-6

* * * Evening Film: "Neria" (Zimbabwe) * * *

IV.   Beyond the Melting Pot: Race, Class and Gender in America

October 19 - Ralph Ellison, Invisible Man, prologue through chapter 9

October 11 - Ellison, Invisible Man, chapters 10-19

October 26 - Ellison, Invisible Man, chapters 20 through epilogue

October 28 - Discussion of Writing Techniques: The Many Functions of Outlines

Bring outline of Paper to Class

- Discussion on Analyzing Political Rhetoric (Introduction to Ambedkar)

Op Ed pieces on 1999 Elections from the New York Times

* * * Second Paper Due Friday, 29 October * * *

November 2 - ELECTION DAY: NO CLASS

November 4 - Discussion of Race, Class and Gender:

Documentary Film on Clarence Thomas Hearings

* * * Revision of Second Paper Due Monday, 8 November * * *

V.   The Politics of Caste in India

November 9 - Caste and Religion in India

B.R. Ambedkar, Annihilation of Caste, pp. 1-28

November 11 - Ambedkar, Annihilation of Caste, pp. 29-104

November 16 – Affirmative Action Revisited:

Contemporary Implications of Ambedkar-Gandhi Debate

- Ambedkar, Annihilation of Caste, Appendices

- Tracts by Gandhi on Caste, Untouchability and the Reservation System

- Articles on Affirmative Action in India and the United States

Guest Lecturer: Dennis Dalton

VI.   From Cultural Tolerance to Intolerance: A Vicious Cycle?

November 18 - Moorish Spain and Contemporary India

Salman Rushdie, The Moor's Last Sigh, Part I

Art as Social Commentary on Identity Politics:
* * * Field trip to Metropolitan Museum of Art * * *

November 23- Rushdie, The Moor's Last Sigh, Part II

November 30 - Rushdie, The Moor's Last Sigh, Part III

December 2 -- Rushdie, The Moor's Last Sigh, Part IV

* * * Third Paper Due for Peer Review on Monday, 6 December * * *

December 7-- Debate on Freedom of Expression and Cultural Libel

Selected articles on the Rushdie Affair

December 9 -- The Politics of Identity: From Assimilation to Multiculturalism

* * * Revision of Third Paper Due on Monday, 13 December * * *