racist science.
Paper instructions:
choose a reading from “racist science.” Those authors who belong to the wide sense of this category (“racist science”) are at least the following: Blumenbach, Bernier, Galton, De Gobineau. I expect some careful attention to an essay by one of these authors in answer to the questions. Also, when answering the question on the political consequences of racist science (#1b), please address the consequences of the wide sense of that term–including eugenics and social Darwinism. Require a minimum of 1.5 pages (double-spaced) in answer to each
question (#1 and #2). The best answers do not simply repeat what the text says but provide detailed interpretations of the text and analysis of the author’s
arguments (i.e., analysis of the argument forms, and evaluation of its arguments).
You are required to answer all the questions below.
1. Select at least one theorist from the sections on early “racist science” (e.g.
Bernier, Blumenbach, de Gobineau or Galton from Ideas of Race) and explain
the following:
A) What is the main thesis of the theory? What evidence does the author provide
to support this thesis? What are the unscientific elements of this theory? Why
do you find them to be unscientific? Explain your answer? Do you find any racist
elements in this theory? What specifically are the racist elements or claims of
this theory? Why do you consider them racist? Explain your answer. Be sure
you provide reasons and explanations to support why you take the author’s
theory to be unscientific and racist. You should include some reference to Franz
Boas and/or modern genetics to demonstrate what exactly is unscientific about
“racist science.” (For modern genetics, you may refer to the in-class
documentary—episode 1 of Race: the Power of an Illusion.) You should also, at
minimum, offer a clear definition of what you understand “racist” to mean and a
clear explanation of how the theory fits or does not fit this definition.
B) Based upon and demonstrating your knowledge of the assigned reading
(including Blum and Anderson) and documentaries, explain how this racist
science had a historical and political influence (domestic and international) in the
19th and/or 20th century. Your answer should clearly identify and explain why
these historical/political developments are racist.
2. A) Based upon your knowledge of the reading (Blum, Omi and Winant), what
is the process of racial formation and racialization? Drawing on your knowledge
of the assigned reading (e.g. Anderson) and/or the documentaries (esp. Race:
the Power of an Illusion), explain what role governments have in these processes
and conditions (e.g. segregation).
B) What is “racial constructionism”? Demonstrating your knowledge of the
readings, what arguments support the main thesis of this theory?
C) Do you agree or disagree with our authors’ assessments of this theory? Why
or why not? Explain your answer.
Paper instructions:
choose a reading from “racist science.” Those authors who belong to the wide sense of this category (“racist science”) are at least the following: Blumenbach, Bernier, Galton, De Gobineau. I expect some careful attention to an essay by one of these authors in answer to the questions. Also, when answering the question on the political consequences of racist science (#1b), please address the consequences of the wide sense of that term–including eugenics and social Darwinism. Require a minimum of 1.5 pages (double-spaced) in answer to each
question (#1 and #2). The best answers do not simply repeat what the text says but provide detailed interpretations of the text and analysis of the author’s
arguments (i.e., analysis of the argument forms, and evaluation of its arguments).
You are required to answer all the questions below.
1. Select at least one theorist from the sections on early “racist science” (e.g.
Bernier, Blumenbach, de Gobineau or Galton from Ideas of Race) and explain
the following:
A) What is the main thesis of the theory? What evidence does the author provide
to support this thesis? What are the unscientific elements of this theory? Why
do you find them to be unscientific? Explain your answer? Do you find any racist
elements in this theory? What specifically are the racist elements or claims of
this theory? Why do you consider them racist? Explain your answer. Be sure
you provide reasons and explanations to support why you take the author’s
theory to be unscientific and racist. You should include some reference to Franz
Boas and/or modern genetics to demonstrate what exactly is unscientific about
“racist science.” (For modern genetics, you may refer to the in-class
documentary—episode 1 of Race: the Power of an Illusion.) You should also, at
minimum, offer a clear definition of what you understand “racist” to mean and a
clear explanation of how the theory fits or does not fit this definition.
B) Based upon and demonstrating your knowledge of the assigned reading
(including Blum and Anderson) and documentaries, explain how this racist
science had a historical and political influence (domestic and international) in the
19th and/or 20th century. Your answer should clearly identify and explain why
these historical/political developments are racist.
2. A) Based upon your knowledge of the reading (Blum, Omi and Winant), what
is the process of racial formation and racialization? Drawing on your knowledge
of the assigned reading (e.g. Anderson) and/or the documentaries (esp. Race:
the Power of an Illusion), explain what role governments have in these processes
and conditions (e.g. segregation).
B) What is “racial constructionism”? Demonstrating your knowledge of the
readings, what arguments support the main thesis of this theory?
C) Do you agree or disagree with our authors’ assessments of this theory? Why
or why not? Explain your answer.
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