FYS 10 White Privilege, White Grievance, Why We Don’t Talk About Class
Recent events such as the deployment of ICE in major cities and the deaths of two Americans protesting the federal government's actions, the flurry of executive orders, limiting rights, and the move to eliminate birthright citizenship highlight the ongoing conflict between race and class. Additionally, the ever-increasing efforts by local school districts to prohibit teaching America's history of systemic oppression and the growing political divide today can be understood by critical inquiry into the study of white identities. This seminar, through the lens of whiteness studies, will examine and analyze a series of texts, including essays, articles, digital media, and more, to consider how writers, artists, and public intellectuals ask difficult questions and present ideas to engage in critical conversation regarding these topics. The real work of this course is strengthening students' ability to analyze, evaluate, and produce arguments. Students will engage in essay writing, with an emphasis on constructing logical arguments and developing persuasive analysis, utilizing primary and secondary evidence to support ideas, in preparation for writing an academic research paper. Works from scholars such as David Roediger, Ashley Jardina, George Lipsitz, Peggy McIntosh, and numerous others will be examined.
Open only to first-year frosh.