The Impact of "-ism"s: Oppression, Privilege, and Inequalities in Society

Catalog description

Privilege flings open the doors of opportunity in a multicultural society. Oppression jams those doors tightly shut. This course provides students with understandings of how oppression and privilege operate in a multicultural society to restrict the life chances of minority and disenfranchised group members. Increasing knowledge about the nature and dynamics of oppression and privilege are fundamental dimensions of the ability to value a diverse world. This undertaking requires self-assessment and reflection on discrimination, oppression, and privilege as components of individual awareness. Such insight will help students to live, work, study, and play well with "others" who are culturally different from themselves with respect to race/ethnicity, religion, class, gender, sexual orientation/gender identity, ability, and age. Beyond increasing respectful social interaction, it is hoped that students will be motivated to work towards dismantling systems that perpetuate de-valuing, exploitation, marginalization, and violence against members of subordinate groups. Major consideration will be given to structures of oppression and privilege related to racism, classism, religious bigotry, sexism, heterosexism/transgenderism, ableism, and ageism. Note: A student cannot receive degree credit for both SASS 284 and SOCI 349 .