CARLETON UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY

SOCIOLOGY 3210B SOCIOLOGY OF * WINTER 2019

Instructor: H. Eloy Rivas-Sánchez (Eloy) Office: A713 Loeb Building Office Hours: Thursdays 10 a.m.–11: a.m. or by appointment Email**: [email protected] Course meets: Mondays, 2:35pm – 5:25pm in 3328 Mackenzie Building Pre-requisites: Soc/Anth 1001 and 1002 or Soc/Anth 1003. Students with at least 3rd-year standing only. T.A.: TBA

* This syllabus draws upon the outline developed by Dr. Justin Paulson, creator of this course. ** Emails will be answered within 48 hours.

Course Description and Objectives

This course draws on a variety of theoretical perspectives to interrogate the sociopolitical and socioeconomic structures that made Trump’s election possible. It also scrutinizes the set of ideologemes which underpin and structure contemporary right-wing , such as patriarchal backlash, white supremacy, and anti-immigrant nativism. Particular emphasis will be put on the historical understanding of the Trump phenomenon and its relationship with the emergence of the far right in advanced capitalist societies. Based on critical readings of academic texts, videos, lectures, and collective discussions, throughout this course we will do a collective effort to answer questions such as: What are the sociohistorical conditions that made Trump’s election possible? What (if anything) is new about Trumpism? How Trumpism relates to rightwing populism and fascist movements elsewhere? How is Trumpism affecting Canadian politics? And how Trumpism and rightwing populism are being contested from the bottom-up?

It is expected that, at the end of the term, students will be able to provide a critical assessment of the rise of Trumpism and rightwing populism, and of the ideologies that sustain them. It is also expected that students can further engage in a process of concientization and critical understanding of the subject as a social phenomenon intrinsically linked to issues of democracy and social justice.

Learning Outcomes

 Understand key processes that explain the rise of Trumpism and rightwing populism  Understand the ideologies that underpin Trumpism and rightwing populism in advanced capitalist societies  Develop sociological skills to analyze social problems linked to the rise of Trumpism and rightwing populism from a sociological perspective  Participate in communal learning practices through classroom discussion activities  Demonstrate critical analytical skills through the production of a final paper

Required readings:

 All journal articles, news stories, and book chapters can be accessed and downloaded in PDF format on Ares through cuLearn.

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Course Requirements & Methods of Evaluation:

(All components must be completed in order to get a passing grade)

Participation in class 10% (1% x participation) Ongoing Social media analysis 25% (1 x 25%) Due: February 11 Critical readings and reflection journals 30% (5 x 6%) Due: On day of readings Final paper 35% (1 x 35%) Due: April 8

In accordance with the Carleton University Undergraduate Calendar Regulations, the letter grades assigned in this course will have the following percentage equivalents:

A+ = 90-100 B+ = 77-79 C+ = 67-69 D+ = 57-59 A = 85-89 B = 73-76 C = 63-66 D = 53-56 A - = 80-84 B - = 70-72 C - = 60-62 D - = 50-52 F = Below 50 WDN = Withdrawn from the course DEF = Deferred (See above)

Participation (10%) Ongoing

Asking we walk. The classroom is a creative site where students and teacher give birth to a critical understanding of the social world through collective inquiring. Asking questions, listening, speaking and conversing in class are key for stimulating the learning process. This grade will be based on your contribution to the communal learning process through active participation. Different classroom activities will be conducted to encourage every student to participate in class.

Social media analysis (25%) Write a social media analysis about a social problem* that has been produced or exacerbated by the arrival of Trump to the US presidency. The paper must draw from social stories collected through the media (newspapers or reviews) and should be between 1,000 and 1,500 words. Due in class on February 11.

*Note: we will discuss in class how to identify a social problem using sociological criteria.

Critical reading and reflection journals (30%)

In The Sociological Imagination, sociologist C. Wright Mills states that one effective way to understand better our social surroundings, and to better identify social problems, is by trying to see the connections that exist between larger and historical social processes and our own personal biographies. Each week of our course is organized by an overarching theme (e.g., “Trumpism, White (Male) Supremacy and Racial Cleansing”). You are required to write critical reading and reflection journals on 6 readings from 6 different course themes. You are highly encouraged to write the reading and reflection journals using your sociological imagination, as defined previously: Why was that topic interesting to you? How is that connected to your own personal interests/positions in society? Each journal is worth 6 % (for a total of 30% of the course grade). Each critical reading journal should be 3 double spaced pages. It does not require footnotes or bibliography.

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At least one critical reflection and reflection journal needs to be submitted by the 4th week of class so that you can use the feedback provided for improving future journals. The critical and reflection journals must be submitted at the beginning of each class. Please note that if you do poorly on a journal you won’t be given the opportunity to make it up on another week.

The critical reading and reflection journals should include the following: 1. A concise description of a) the main goal of the text, b) the problem identified or discussed by the author, and c) the argument(s) advanced by the author(s) 2. A short reflection on why and how the topic discussed resonates to your personally and about what is the specific “take home message” you found in the text. 3.. An original question* that you would like to discuss with the class (Your question in class will count as participation). * Note: The last 30 minutes of each class will be devoted to ask and answer the questions you bring to class as part of your critical reflection journal.

Final Paper: Sociological reflection about a social problem linked to Trumpism and the rise of the far right: Due on April 8 (35%)

Examining social phenomena through writing analytical texts is a fundamental labour of a sociologist. In 6 double- spaced pages, excluding title page and bibliography, write a sociological reflection about a social problem linked to the rise of Trumpism and/or rightwing populism. - Identify a social problem linked to the rise of Trumpism and/or rightwing populism, and justify why it is a social problem - Choose a theoretical reference or concept (s) that you consider relevant to your analysis. - Analyze the problem using the theoretical and conceptual tools you choose - Make an argument. Your analysis should have a thesis statement and specific empirical/theoretical support for your argument that is drawn from our readings in class and/other other sources.

This assignment is intended to provide you with the opportunity to engage with the course material as it relates to the topic of Trumpism and rightwing populism in the context of the communities in which we live.

NOTE: All assignments should use 12-point Times New Roman Font and be double-spaced. Bibliography will be cited according to the Chicago Manual of Style, 17th edition. Consult the manual here: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/chicago_manual_17th_edition/chicago_manual_of_style_17th_ edition.html Using other citing styles is allowed as long as it is used consistently.

POLICY ON LATE ASSIGNMENTSS

Late Papers/Assignments: You are highly recommended to submit your work on time. If you submit your work late, the grade will be marked down one percentage point per day to a maximum of four. If you require an extension, please make arrangements with me ahead of time. There will be no extension for the final paper. Any assignment that is not directly handed in to me in class must be dropped in the Sociology drop box (B750 Loeb). Please retain both a hard copy and electronic copy of all work that is submitted.

Assistance for Students: Carleton University has a number of resources that you may wish to take advantage of, including: Academic and Career Development Services: http://carleton.ca/sacds/ 4

Writing Services: http://www.carleton.ca/csas/writing-services/ Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS): https://carleton.ca/csas/group-support/pass/

Academic Regulations, Accommodations, Plagiarism, Etc. University rules regarding registration, withdrawal, appealing marks, and most anything else you might need to know can be found on the university’s website, here: http://calendar.carleton.ca/undergrad/regulations/academicregulationsoftheuniversity/

Academic Accommodations for Students with Disabilities. The Paul Menton Centre for Students with Disabilities (PMC) provides services to students with Learning Disabilities (LD), psychiatric/mental health disabilities, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), chronic medical conditions, and impairments in mobility, hearing, and vision. If you have a disability requiring academic accommodations in this course, please contact PMC at 613-520-6608 or [email protected] for a formal evaluation. If you are already registered with the PMC, contact your PMC coordinator to send your Letter of Accommodation at the beginning of the term, and no later than two weeks before the first in-class scheduled test or exam requiring accommodation (if applicable). *The deadline for contacting the Paul Menton Centre regarding accommodation for final exams for the Fall 2018 (December) exam period is November 9, 2018. The deadline for contacting the Paul Menton Centre regarding accommodation for final exams for the Winter 2019 (April) exam period is March 15, 2019.

For Religious Obligations: Please contact your instructor with any requests for academic accommodation during the first two weeks of class, or as soon as possible after the need for accommodation is known to exist. For more details, visit the Equity Services website: www.carleton.ca/equity/wp-content/uploads/Student-Guide-to-Academic-Accommodation.pdf

For Pregnancy: Please contact your instructor with any requests for academic accommodation during the first two weeks of class, or as soon as possible after the need for accommodation is known to exist. For more details, visit the Equity Services website: www.carleton.ca/equity/wp-content/uploads/Student-Guide-to-Academic-Accommodation.pdf

For Survivors of Sexual Violence As a community, Carleton University is committed to maintaining a positive learning, working and living environment where sexual violence will not be tolerated, and is survivors are supported through academic accommodations as per Carleton's Sexual Violence Policy. For more information about the services available at the university and to obtain information about sexual violence and/or support, visit: www.carleton.ca/sexual- violence-support

Accommodation for Student Activities Carleton University recognizes the substantial benefits, both to the individual student and for the university, that result from a student participating in activities beyond the classroom experience. Reasonable accommodation must be provided to students who compete or perform at the national or international level. Please contact your instructor with any requests for academic accommodation during the first two weeks of class, or as soon as possible after the need for accommodation is known to exist. https://carleton.ca/senate/wp- content/uploads/Accommodation-for-Student-Activities-1.pdf

Plagiarism and cheating are viewed as being particularly serious and the sanctions imposed are accordingly severe. Plagiarism is the passing off of someone else's work as your own and is a serious academic offence. Students are expected to familiarize themselves with and follow the Carleton University Student Academic Integrity Policy (See https://carleton.ca/registrar/academic-integrity/). The Policy is strictly enforced and is binding on all students. Academic dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Students who infringe the Policy may be subject to one of 5 several penalties such as: a grade of zero, a failure or a reduced grade for the piece of academic work; reduction of final grade in the course; completion of a remediation process; resubmission of academic work; withdrawal from course(s); suspension from a program of study; a letter of reprimand. All allegations of plagiarism are reported to the faculty of Dean of FASS and Management. Documentation is prepared by instructors and departmental chairs. The Dean writes to the student and the University Ombudsperson about the alleged plagiarism. The Dean reviews the allegation. If it is not resolved at this level then it is referred to a tribunal appointed by the Senate.

Important Information:  Student or professor materials created for this course (including presentations and posted notes, labs, case studies, assignments and exams) remain the intellectual property of the author(s). They are intended for personal use and may not be reproduced or redistributed without prior written consent of the author(s).  Students must always retain a hard copy of all work that is submitted.  Standing in a course is determined by the course instructor subject to the approval of the Faculty Dean. This means that grades submitted by the instructor may be subject to revision. No grades are final until they have been approved by the Dean.  Carleton University is committed to protecting the privacy of those who study or work here (currently and formerly). To that end, Carleton’s Privacy Office seeks to encourage the implementation of the privacy provisions of Ontario’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) within the university. In accordance with FIPPA, please ensure all communication with staff/faculty is via your Carleton email account.  If you do not have or have yet to activate this account, you may wish to do so by visiting https://students.carleton.ca/

SCHEDULE

Please note that occasionally the seminar schedule may vary slightly from the course outline

Week 1: January 7 Introduction to the Sociology of Trumpism  An introduction to the course, review of syllabus, and assignments followed by a lecture on the sociology of Trumpism and rightwing populism.

Readings: Benjamin, Walter. 2007 [1955]. Theses on the Philosophy of History (‘Thesis IX’). In: Walter Benjamin Illuminations. Essays and Reflections (pp. 257-258). New York, NY: Schooken Books

Williams, Raymond. 1983. ‘Ideology’, ‘Experience’, ‘Hegemony.’ In Raymond Williams Keywords (pp. 153- 157; 126-129; 144-146). Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press

Suggested:

Kelley, Robin D.G. 2017. ‘One Year Later.’ Boston Review. A Political and Literary Forum (Nov. 08, 2017). Access to the article here: http://bostonreview.net/race-politics/robin-d-g-kelley-one-year-later

Week 2: January 14 What is Trumpism?

Readings: 6

Riley, Dylan. 2018. What is Trump? Review, 114 (Nov-Dec).

Foster, John Bellamy. 2017. ‘Neo- in the White House.’ In John Bellamy Foster Trump in the White House: Tragedy and Farce (Chapter 1). New York, NY: Monthly Review Press.

Butler, Judith. 2017. ‘Reflections on Trump.’ Hot Spots, Cultural Anthropology. Access to the article here: https://culanth.org/fieldsights/1032-reflections-on-trump

Week 3: January 21 ‘How we got here’: Four Hypotheses (Part I)

Readings: Chomsky, Noam. 2016. ‘On the new Trump era.’ UpFront special. Interview in Al Jazeera (November 25, 2016). Access to the interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jB54XxbgI0E

Klein, Naomi. 2017. ‘How We Got Here. Rise of Superbrands.’ In Naomi Klein No is not Enough. Resisting the New Shock Politics and Winning the World We Need (pp.15-46). Toronto, ON: Penguin Random House KNOPF Canada.

Week 4: January 28 ‘How we got here’: Four Hypotheses (Part II)

Readings: Harvey, David & Jeremy Scahill. 2018. ‘On Trump, Wall Street and Debt Peonage: Interview with David Harvey.’ The Intercept (January 21, 2018). Access to the interview here: https://theintercept.com/2018/01/21/marxist-scholar-david-harvey-on-trump-wall- street-and-debt-peonage/

Adorno, Theodor. 2005 [1951]. ‘Novissimum Organum.’ In Theodor Adorno Minima Moralia: Reflections from Damaged Life (pp. 228-231). New York, NY: Verso

Week 5: February 4 Conservativism, Neoliberalism & Rightwing Populism

Readings: Brown, Wendy. 2006. American Nightmare: Neoliberalism, Neoconservatism, and De-Democratization. Political Theory, (34) 6, 690-714

Fletcher Jr., Bill. 2016. ‘Stars and Bars: Understanding Rightwing Populism in the USA,’ Socialist Register 52: 296-308.

Blee, Kathleen M. & Kimberly A. Creasap. 2010. ‘Conservative and Right-Wing Movements,’ Annual Review of Sociology 36: 269-286.

Week 6: February 11 Trumpism, White (Male) Supremacy and Racial Cleansing

Readings: Giroux, Henry A. 2017. ‘White Supremacy and Racial Cleansing Under the Regime of Donald Trump.’ In: Henry A. Giroux The Public in Peril: Trump and the Menace of American (pp.51-73). New York, NY: Routledge.

Kelley, Robin D.G. 2016. ‘After Trump.’ Boston Review (Nov 15, 2016). 7

Access to the article here: http://bostonreview.net/forum/after-trump/robin-d-g-kelley-trump-says-go-back-we- say-fight-back

Rosen, David. 2016. ‘Donald Trump and the Crisis of Masculinity.’ CounterPunch (Feb 26, 2016) Access to the article here: https://www.counterpunch.org/2016/02/26/donald-trump-and-the-crisis-of-masculinity/

February 18-22 Winter break, no classes

Week 7: February 25 Trumpism and Class Politics

Readings: Chomsky, Noam. 2017. ‘Principle 10: Marginalize the Population.’ In Noam Chomsky Requiem for the American Dream: The 10 Principles of Concentration of Wealth and Power. New York, NY: Seven Stories Press

Giroux, Henry A. 2017. ‘Domestic Terrorism, Youth and the Politics of Disposability.’ In: Henry A. Giroux The Public in Peril: Trump and the Menace of American Authoritarianism (pp.117-139). New York, NY: Routledge.

Week 8: March 4 Trumpism and the Environmental Politics

Readings: Foster, John Bellamy. 2017. ‘Trump and Climate Catastrophe.’ In John Bellamy Foster Trump in the White House: Tragedy and Farce (Chapter 3). New York, NY: Monthly Review Press.

Klein, Naomi. 2017. ‘The climate clock strikes midnight.’ In Naomi Klein No is not Enough. Resisting the New Shock Politics and Winning the World We Need (pp.63-82). Toronto, ON: Penguin Random House KNOPF Canada.

Video: Chomsky, Noam. 2018. ‘Noam Chomsky on Midterms: Republican Party Is the “Most Dangerous Organization in Human History.” Democracy Now (Nov 5, 2018) Access to the interview here: https://www.democracynow.org/2018/11/5/noam_chomsky_on_midterms_republican_party#transcript

Week 9: March 11 Trumpism and Immigration Policies (and how they are contested)

Guest speaker: The Ottawa Sanctuary City Network

Readings: Petrella, Christopher. ‘After Trump.’ Boston Review (Nov 22, 2016).

Shear, Michael D. & Helene Cooper. 2017. ‘Trump bars refugees and citizens of 7 Muslim countries.’ The New York Times (January 27, 2017) Access to the article here: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/27/us/politics/trump-syrian-refugees.html

Ridgley, Jen. 2008. ‘Cities of Refuge: Immigration Enforcement, Police and the Insurgent Genealogies of Citizenship in U.S. Sanctuary Cities.’ Urban Geography 28 (1) 8

Avila, Krsna; Kemi Bello, Lena Graber & Nikki Marquez. 2018. The rise of sanctuary: Getting local officers out of the business of deportations in the Trump era. New York, NY: Immigrant Legal Resource Center. Access to the article here: https://www.ilrc.org/sites/default/files/resources/rise_of_sanctuary-lg-20180201.pdf

Week 10: March 18 Who are Trump’s Base Supporters?

Readings: Mike Davis, "The Great God Trump and the White Working Class," Catalyst 1:1 (2017), 151-171. Access to the article here: https://catalyst-journal.com/vol1/no1/great-god-trump-davis

Matthew MacWilliams, "The Best Predictor of Trump Support Isn't Income, Education, or Age, It's Authoritarianism." Vox, Feb 23, 2016. Access to the article here: https://www.vox.com/2016/2/23/11099644/trump-support-authoritarianism

Enders, Adam & Steven Smallpage,. 2016. ‘Racial Prejudice, not Populism or Authoritarianism, Predicts Support for Trump over Clinton.’ Washington Post (May 26, 2016). Access to the article here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2016/05/26/these-9-simple- charts-show-how-donald-trumps-supporters-differ-from-hillary-clintons/?utm_term=.75330f400ff0

Alvarez, Linda et al. 2016. ‘The One They've Been Waiting For: White Fear and the Rise of Donald Trump.’ JREP: Politics of Color (Nov 27, 2016). Access to the article here: http://politicsofcolor.com/the-one-theyve-been-waiting-for-white-fear-and-the-rise-of- donald-trump/

Pettigrew, Thomas. 2017. ‘Social Psychological Perspectives on Trump Supporters.’ Journal of Social and Political Psychology 5:1 (2017), 107-116.

Week 11: March 25 Trumpism and Rightwing Populism in Canada?

Readings: Klein, Naomi. 2018. ‘Will Trumpism Come to Canada?’ Democracy Now (June 06, 2018) Access the article here: www.democracynow.org/2018/6/6/will_trumpism_come_to_canada_naomi

Statistics Canada. 2015. ‘Police-Reported Hate Crimes, 2015’ (latest year available). Access to the document here: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/170613/dq170613b-eng.pdf and http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/85-002-x/2017001/article/14832-eng.pdf

Dangerfield, Katie. 2017. ‘White Nationalist groups on the rise in Canada, plan more rallies,’ Global News (August 15, 2017) Access to the document here: http://globalnews.ca/news/3670776/white-nationalist-groups-canada-on-the-rise/

Week 12: April 1 Contesting Trumpism, Rightwing Populism and Neo-Fascism

Readings: Klein, Naomi. 2017. ‘Lessons from Standing Rock. Daring to Dream’ and ‘The Caring Majority Within Reach’. In Naomi Klein No is not Enough. Resisting the New Shock Politics and Winning the World We Need (pp.222-230 and 257-271). Toronto, ON: Penguin Random House KNOPF Canada.

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Mouffe, Chantal. 2018. ‘Populists are on the rise but this can be a moment for progressives too.’ The Guardian (September 10, 2018). Access the article here: www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/sep/10/populists-rise-progressives- radical-right

Week 13: April 8 Democratic Alternatives to Trumpism and Rightwing Populism (as They have been Imagined): But, what else we can learn from those who are dead?

Readings: Klein, Naomi. 2017. ‘A Time to Leap. Because Small Steps Won’t Cut It.’ In Naomi Klein No is not Enough. Resisting the New Shock Politics and Winning the World We Need (pp.231-256). Toronto, ON: Penguin Random House KNOPF Canada.

Foster, John Bellamy. 2017. ‘The Nature of Resistance. A Brief Conclusion.’ In John Bellamy Foster Trump in the White House: Tragedy and Farce (Chapter 4). New York, NY: Monthly Review Press.

Benjamin, Walter. 2007 [1955]. Theses on the Philosophy of History (‘Thesis XI’). In: Walter Benjamin Illuminations. Essays and Reflections (pp. 258-259). New York, NY: Schooken Books

 Final Paper due