Empires, Colonial Subjects, and Disenfranchisement
by admin - October 2nd, 2012
The next two class sessions both deal with colonized nations within the jurisdiction of the United States. Each of these nations or groups has claim to American citizenship, although that claim has been at times historically contested, hard-won, or tenuous. We will explore these different experiences and histories and compare them to one another.
Wed 10/3 – “Empires, Subject and Islands.” We will view the film The Insular Empire: America in the Mariana Islands during class. This 2010 PBS documentary traces the history of the Mariana Islands and its indigenous peoples as both American citizens and colonial subjects. (Photo, raising the flag over Guam in WW2)
Mon 10/8 – Columbus Day, no class. Thanks to Columbus, chance to ponder the impact of European colonization on New World peoples.
Wed 10/10 – “The Disenfranchised.” Reading = Keyssar, RV Ch 5 + Wolfley, “Jim Crow: Indian Style” (PDF). Please remember your paper topic is due on this day. For details on this assignment, consult the “Research Project” tab above.
