This course is designed explore the conditions and consequences for crossing racial boundaries in North America. We take a multidisciplinary approach, exploring literary, anthropological, historical and communication approaches along with several feature and documentary film treatments of the subject.

The three primary units covered include: Colonial America--Labor, Nation-Building and the Problem of Racial Classifications; Reconstruction and the Early 20th Century--Consolidating Power and the “New” Racial Order; Post-Civil Rights Era and 21st Century--Social Justice, Color-Blindness and Mixed Race Identities.