Course Syllabus
Week 5
Week 3
Week 1
Week 2
Week 4
Introduction: What Is Race, Culture, Ethnicity, and Diversity?
Personal Accounts of First and Last Interactions with "Others"
Social Constructions of Race and Cultural Difference
Insider Privilege
"Non-Traditional" Casting I
Week 6
The Politics of Recognition: "Art for Arts Sake?"
Week 7
Week 8
August Wilson - Robert Brustein Debate
Week 9
The Politics of Funding
Week 10
The Tempest
Week 11
Week 12
Cinderella Presentations
We often lack the vocabulary for meaningful discourse on multiculturalism. In debates over policy practices concerning cultural plurality, we disagree on the meaning of fundamental terms like equality, democracy, and inclusion; race, culture, identity, and ethnicity. Without basic definitions as a foundation for discourse, we apply different interpretations to important terms and issues needed for a productive exchange of ideas.
Class exercises will serve as a medium for discussing theories and ideas on social construction of race and cultural identities, as they are internalized by society and individuals. For example, what defines race? What defines culture? What defines ethnicity? How do our definitions impact the assumptions we have about ourselves and others? Once we have a basic understanding of how different theorists define culture, race, and ethnicity, we can then discuss how theory applies to our institutions and the everyday lives of individuals.
Theater, Politics & Postmodernity
My Website
Key Texts
Social Theory
"Non-Traditional" Casting II
Cinderella
Grading & Requirements
