In this course, we study three multiracial communities with a Dutch-American connection, one that identifies as African American, one as Native American and one as Asian American, and take these cases as a point of departure for a broader discussion on the history and future of racially-mixed people in American society. This focus is important considering that people of mixed race have experienced a long history of discrimination in the United States. Racial mixture was long associated with degeneration, and racial theorists claimed that it weakened physical, intellectual and moral qualities such as strength, endurance, honesty, and even fertility.

Taught in English. We discuss the history of racial mixture in the United States by taking three examples of communities with a Dutch-American connection as our starting point. We also look at the future and discuss the consequences of the fact that increasing numbers of Americans identify with multiple races/ethnicities.

Repeat Rules

Course is not repeatable for credit.

Requirements class fulfills