Question 1

The "Curse of Ham" story in the Bible was often cited to legitimize the enslavement of Africans. This is an example of what view of race in America?

Accepted Answer

The "Curse of Ham" story is a religious/puritanical view of race in America that was used to justify the enslavement of Africans. It was interpreted to mean that since Ham was cursed by Noah for seeing him naked, his descendants (Africans) were to be enslaved. This view was used to support the idea of white superiority and black inferiority as a divine mandate.

Question 2

What famous publication by Charles Darwin spurred on the notion that race was biologically inherent and could explain group social characteristics such as intelligence, temperament and sexuality?

Accepted Answer

The famous publication by Charles Darwin that spurred on the notion that race was biologically inherent and could explain group social characteristics such as intelligence, temperament, and sexuality was "The Origin of Species."

Question 3

Scientists who consider the phenotypical characteristics of race (skin color, hair texture, etc.) as indicators of a group's social development or evolution view race as an indicator of…

Accepted Answer

Scientists who consider phenotypical characteristics as indicators of social development or evolution view race as a result of natural or biological differences. This perspective has been discredited by contemporary scientific understanding, which recognizes race as a social construct rather than a biological fact.

Question 4

The ethnicity paradigm was initially developed early in the 20^th century because social scientists wanted to…

Accepted Answer

The ethnicity paradigm was developed as an alternative to biological and religious views of race and racism, recognizing that these views were flawed and perpetuated unequal treatment of different groups. It sought to understand race and ethnicity as social constructs rather than as inherent biological or genetic traits.

Question 5

A key difference between assimilationism and cultural pluralism is…

Accepted Answer

Cultural pluralism and assimilationism have opposing views on the coexistence of different cultural groups within a society. Assimilationism promotes the idea that different groups should assimilate into the dominant culture of a society, while cultural pluralism advocates for the coexistence of different groups with their unique cultural identities. Therefore, option C is the correct answer. Option A is incorrect because it incorrectly implies that assimilationism also supports the coexistence of different cultures. Option B is incorrect because it wrongly associates assimilationism with race, while cultural pluralism with ethnicity. Option D is incorrect because assimilationism explains the incorporation of any cultural or racial group into society. Lastly, option E is incorrect because it wrongly suggests that assimilationism supports cultural groups' unique identities.

Question 6

All of the following are critiques of Robert Park's "race relations cycle" theory except that

Accepted Answer

His theory moved social science away from biological and religious explanations of race.

Question 7

Which of the following statements characterizes Omi and Winant's critique of the "immigrant analogy" to explain non-white group social failures?

Accepted Answer

Omi and Winant critique the "immigrant analogy" by arguing that it overlooks the significance of racial differences, such as skin color, in the assimilation process, assuming these differences do not impact successful assimilation.

Question 8

What major historical events do Omi and Winant identify as significant in pushing social scientists to extend the immigrant analogy to explain non-white discrimination and oppression?

Accepted Answer

Omi and Winant argue that the Civil Rights Movement and World War II were major historical events that led to the extension of the immigrant analogy to non-white discrimination and oppression. They contend that the experiences of African Americans and other groups during the Civil Rights era were seen as similar to those of immigrants, and that the rhetoric of the war against fascism was used to argue for the elimination of racism in the US.

Question 9

All of the following are critiques made by Omi and Winant of the ethnicity paradigm except

Accepted Answer

Omi and Winant critique the ethnicity paradigm for several reasons, but they acknowledge that it challenged the biological and religious views of race and racism, which is not a critique but rather a positive aspect they recognize.

Question 10

Which historical period saw the ethnicity paradigm become a tool for the "neoconservative" approach to suggest the United States is "colorblind?"

Accepted Answer

The ethnicity paradigm became a tool for the "neoconservative" approach to suggest the United States is "colorblind" after the 1960s, with the rise of the conservative movement and the implementation of policies aiming to reduce racial and ethnic inequalities through colorblind strategies. This approach emphasizes equal treatment and individual merit regardless of race or ethnicity, ignoring the role of structural and historical factors in shaping social and economic outcomes.

Question 11

Some social scientists and politicians suggest that immigrant groups that fail to successfully assimilate do so because of their unwillingness to take on American norms and values. Omi and Winant title and critique this neoconservative view as…

Accepted Answer

The "Bootstraps Model" suggests that immigrant groups are solely responsible for their own success or failure in assimilating to American culture, and that they must "pull themselves up by their bootstraps" without any support or assistance from society. Omi and Winant critique this view as ignoring the structural and institutional barriers that prevent marginalized groups from fully participating in American society.

Question 12

Recent campaigns to use "English only" in public education and on state public signs have occurred in various states: California, Georgia, and North Carolina. These campaigns are an example of

Accepted Answer

The campaigns for "English only" in public education and on state public signs suggest a call for immigrants to assimilate into American culture, rather than promoting a multicultural or inclusive society. This reflects a long-standing debate about assimilation and the role of language in American identity, with some arguing that immigrants must adopt English to fully participate in American society.

Quiz 1: Ethnicity