Race in the 21st Century
Ethnographic Approaches
ISBN13: 9780195375602ISBN10: 0195375602
Paperback, 240 pages
Nov 2009,
In Stock
Retail Price to Students:
$34.95 (04)
240 pages;
6-1/8 x 9-1/4;
ISBN13: 978-0-19-537560-2ISBN10: 0-19-537560-2
The first text to take an explicitly ethnographic approach to the study of race
Description
What is the state of race relations in the U.S.? Are we making progress toward ending racial discrimination and prejudice? What, exactly, does "race" mean?In Race in the 21st Century: Ethnographic Approaches, John Hartigan takes an anthropological look at questions such as these by introducing students to the study of race through qualitative approaches. In the first text to take an explicitly ethnographic approach, Hartigan summarizes and explains the current state of social science knowledge on race in the United States. In the process of surveying this research, Hartigan guides readers to think through basic important questions about race in relation to their own circumstances. Unlike many texts, however, this one focuses not on essential differences between racial or ethnic groups, but rather on the commonalities. The author concentrates on the particular contexts where people actively engage and respond to racial meanings and identities. In this way, he encourages readers to think critically about the meaning of race.
Ideal for undergraduate courses in race and ethnicity, the anthropology of race, and cultural/human diversity, Race in the 21st Century seamlessly brings together classic and contemporary studies in one accessible volume.
The author is also hosting a companion website http://www.raceinthe21stcentury.com/ that features useful web links, sample assignments, and reviews of ethnographies not covered in the text.
Features
- A brief and accessible look at the current state of social science knowledge on race in the U.S.
- Introduces students to the study of race through ethnographic approaches.
- Key concepts include cultural processes such as racial formation, racialization, and colorblind racism; the tools to perform cultural analysis in order to understand cultural dynamics; and the controversies surrounding racial identity as it relates to human diversity.
- Ethnographic vignettes include both classic and contemporary studies such as Powdermaker's After Freedom and Moffatt's Coming of Age in New Jersey.
- The text focuses on commonalities instead of differences between racial or ethnic groups.
- The author encourages readers throughout to think critically about race as it applies to their own lives.
- Two appendixes provide readers with guidance about understanding ethnographic research and preparing to undertake their own.
About the Author(s)
John Hartigan is Associate Professor of Anthropology at University of Texas at Austin and the Director of the Americo Paredes Center for Cultural Studies. He is the author of Odd Tribes: Towards a Cultural Analysis of White People (Duke University Press, 2005) and Racial Situations: Class Predicaments of Whiteness in Detroit (Prince University Press, 1999).
