CoursesAmerican Race: A Philadelphia Story
ASAM 115 / SAST 115 / URBS 115 / SOCI 115 / LALS 115

American Race: A Philadelphia Story

This course proposes an examination of race with a two-pronged approach: one that broadly links the study of race in the United States with a multi-disciplinary approach and also simultaneously situates specific conversations within the immediate location of Philadelphia, home to the University. The broad historical examination advances key concepts of race and racialization, explores theoretical methodologies, and highlights major scholarly works.

Tuesdays/Thursdays, 12 PM – 1:30 PM

Students will engage with the study of race through Africana Studies, Asian American Studies, Sociology, Urban Studies and through Latin American & Latinx Studies. Readings and methodologies will introduce students to critical issues in education, in literature, in sociology, and with methods in oral history, archival work, and ethnography. Most importantly, this extensive approach highlights the impact of race across multiple communities including Black Americans, immigrant populations, and communities that are marginalized to emphasize connections, relationships, and shared solidarity. You will be intellectually pushed to see the linkages and the impacts of racism across and among all Americans historically and presently. As each theme is introduced a direct example from Philadelphia will be discussed. The combination of the national discourse on race, with an intimate perspective from the City of Philadelphia, engages students both intellectually and civically.

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PSYC 3409-001

Failure to Communicate

Instructor(s)

  • Carlin Romano

Semester

Spring 2024

Mondays, 7:00 pm-9:59 pm

The phrase “failure to communicate” became iconic in American English from the 1967 film “Cool Hand Luke,” in which Paul Newman played a convict who refuses to listen or follow orders. The film raised questions about the multiple ways we understand “failure to communicate” and its consequences. Is it sometimes a decision to resist a presumption, a premise, an interpretation, an argument, a directive from authority? Is it at other times simply a mechanical failure? This course examines “failure to communicate” in multiple cultural areas, among them literature, romance, politics, show business, law, science, war, psychology, philosophy, business, religion, humor and education.

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ASAM 0115/ SAST 0115/ URBS 1150/ LALS 0115/ AFRC 1115

American Race: A Philadelphia Story

Instructor(s)

  • Fariha Khan
  • Fernando Chang-Muy

Semester

Spring 2024

Mondays, 12:00 pm – 2:59 pm

This course proposes an examination of race with a two-pronged approach: one that broadly links the study of race in the United States with a multi-disciplinary approach and also simultaneously situates specific conversations within the immediate location of Philadelphia, home to the University.

Learn More