This course brings together several disciplines--history, sociology, and political science--to give students an overview of recent literature on the historical and contemporary political experiences of the four major racial and ethnic minority groups in the United States (Blacks or African Americans, American Indians, Latinos or Hispanic Americans, and Asian Americans) and their interactions with the dominant racial group (non-Hispanic White Americans) in the U.S. system. Major topics covered in this course include racial formation, (pan)ethnic identity, citizenship, suffrage, inequality in political participation and representation, and interracial conflict and coalition building. Current politics and policy debates affecting racial/ethnic minorities such as voting rights, affirmative action, and immigration reform may be covered to the extent possible.