SOCI 429 - Sociology of Black-ish: The Black Middle Class in America

FC SSCI CD

4 credits
What are some of the unique challenges middle-class Black Americans face? Through viewing Black-ish, a sitcom that portrays a Black family’s day-to-day life in a predominantly white neighborhood, and reading sociological texts on the Black middle class, this class aims to give students a better understanding of the persistent salience of race and racism in the U.S. and the nuances of Black identity. We will read classic scholarship from sociologists such as DuBois and Frazier as well as more contemporary work on the Black middle class focused on topics including education, neighborhoods, work, wealth, consumption, culture, leisure, family, and health.

Prerequisites: one “Introduction to Sociology” course.