Final Review

Race and Politics in the US

POS 4070 – Spring 2020

Study Guide & Questions – Final Exam

Be familiar with the cases involving affirmative action and the arguments that have structured the

debate.

How can we increase black and Latino political engagement?

Explain how race is tied to the history of partisanship in our country.

What are the challenges to comprehensive immigration reform?

How are linked fate and perception of discrimination related?

Know the debate regarding redistricting and gerrymandering with regard to race.

How does redistricting affect our political process?

What the different ways that groups can engage in activism?

How has the debate on affirmative action changed since its introduction in the 1960s?

What role do racial attitudes play today vs. decades ago? What are the challenges in testing racial

attitudes?

How have immigration policies changed over the years? Public opinion regarding immigration?

What have been ways in which redistricting has been pursued and challenged?

How important is descriptive representation? What are the findings on this concept for blacks?

What are the current challenges to increase voting among blacks and Latinos?

Describe the current crisis regarding mass incarceration. What are its origins?

Is immigration the most important issue in the Latino community – why or why not?

What is political efficacy and how does it affect political participation?

What are the current challenges related to education and school segregation?

How has the debate on affirmative action changed since its introduction in the 1960s?

What are the arguments for and against affirmative action in this country?

What are some of the practices that allow for racism to be embedded in our U.S institutions?

What does Alexander argue in the New Jim Crow?

How did the Voting Rights Act affect states’ rights?

In what ways is housing segregation reinforced today?

What is the role of wealth in explaining inequality in the United States? Why is the racial wealth gap so

significant?