ON TRIAL: AFFIRMATIVE ACTION AT THE DAWN OF A NEW CENTURY

Fall, 1997

Tuesdays 1:30-4:20 p.m.

Wilcox, Seminar Room

Patricia Fernandez-Kelly
Princeton University
Office of Population Research and Department of Sociology
21 Prospect Avenue
Office Hours: Fridays, by Appointment, Tel: (609) 258-2237
email: mpfk@opr.princeton.edu

|Overview|Objectives|Syllabus|September 16|September 23|September 30|October 7|October 14|October 21|November 4|November 11|November 18|November 25|December 2|Requirements|Supplementary Bibliography|Readings and Links|

A major consequence of the Civil Rights Movement was the passage of legislation to establish anti-discriminatory and set-aside programs for women and racial minorities. Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act -- outlawing employer discrimination against blacks and other minorities -- and Executive Order 11246 -- requiring federal contractors to establish affirmative-action plans for complying with Title VII-- became the centerpieces of the new policies. Narrowly construed, affirmative action refers only to these items of legislation and their response in the public and private sectors. In everyday usage, however, it embraces all efforts to improve minority job opportunities that go beyond eliminating formal discrimination, regardless of whether these efforts are mandated by federal law. Although affirmative action Programs had opponents from the beginning, it was only in the 1980s that they came under serious attack. As the century draws to an end concrete steps are being taken to reverse government policies that have been in existence for nearly thirty years. The time is ripe to review the history of affirmative action, its effects and possible alternatives for the next century.

The objectives of this course are to:

The course begins with a historical sketch pinpointing moments in the evolution of governmental actions regarding race/ethnic relations. We will take a broad view beginning with the examination of legislation regulating the place of minorities since the nineteenth century and culminating with Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

That introduction will be followed by a review of the costs and benefits of affirmative action. We will analyze information derived from statistical analysis and case studies illustrating particular issues. A special concern will be to investigate the unintended consequences of affirmative-action policies at the local level and in various areas of social and economic activity. The tension between economic efficiency and procedural justice will serve to anchor our review. Among the issues to be examined are: the pros and cons of racial/ethnic categorization; the rise of concerns over reverse discrimination; the extent to which the intention of affirmative action has been subverted by variations in socio-economic status; and the ways in which government policies regarding sexual equality differ and/or converge with equivalent policies regarding race and ethnicity.

Finally, the course will explore alternatives to current modalities of affirmative action within the public and private sectors. Special attention will be given to proposals for the implementation of policies based on social class and income rather than race or ethnicity. In this portion of the course we will also explore government actions (investment in education, mentorship programs, business formation) that may have an indirect but positive effect on racial equality.

SYLLABUS

September 16

September 23

Required Readings:

September 30

Required Readings:

October 7

Required Readings:

October 14

Required Readings:

October 21

Required Readings:

November 4

Required Readings:

November 11

Required Readings:

Recommended Reading:

November 18

Required Reading:

November 25 (Reading Day)

December 2

Required Reading:

REQUIREMENTS

Supplementary Bibliography