Racism, if understood as the overarching and overbearing dominance of whiteness (as a colonial

concept, an ideology, and a power structure), is prevalent in every part of the world. Race then, as a

manifestation of whiteness, is a sociological construct and an integral part of one’s identity in

different countries but particularly in the United States. To therefore understand the present

conversations and protests against systemic racism in this country, one needs to study the evolution

of racism through a historical lens, especially the period of slavery and civil war. Students taking this

course will understand the current conflicts that plague the United States and predominantly white

institutions of higher education like MIIS by developing racial equity and justice lens. They will also

understand their role and responsibility as allies for marginalized and minoritized individuals and

communities on our campus and beyond. Finally, and most importantly, students taking this course

should be able to participate in conversations around race in different settings.