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ANTH 309 New Neighbors: The U.S. Hmong Community

This course explores the history, culture and social situation of one of the United States' newest immigrant/refugee groups. Emphasis is placed on their efforts to create a new way of life while maintaining important cultural traditions. This course is appropriate for all students, especially those interested in human services, human relations, community development and education.

Prerequisites

4 Undergraduate credits

Effective August 1, 1998 to May 6, 2025

Meets graduation requirements for

Learning outcomes

General

  • Understands and applies anthropological concepts to the Hmong refugee experience.
  • Compares and contrasts the experiences of other groups in the Twin Cities with those of the Hmong community.
  • Critically evaluates and writes about, at an upper division college level, Hmong refugee experiences by tracing changes in cultural institutions using anthropological concepts and methods.
  • Evaluates the Hmong as a case study to evaluate multiculturalism, political economic power relations between groups, and prejudice in contemporary U.S. society.

Minnesota Transfer Curriculum

Goal 5: History and the Social and Behavioral Sciences

  • Employ the methods and data that historians and social and behavioral scientists use to investigate the human condition.
  • Examine social institutions and processes across a range of historical periods and cultures.
  • Use and critique alternative explanatory systems or theories.
  • Develop and communicate alternative explanations or solutions for contemporary social issues.

Goal 7: Human Diversity

  • Understand the development of and the changing meanings of group identities in the United States' history and culture.
  • Demonstrate an awareness of the individual and institutional dynamics of unequal power relations between groups in contemporary society.
  • Analyze their own attitudes, behaviors, concepts and beliefs regarding diversity, racism, and bigotry.
  • Describe and discuss the experience and contributions (political, social, economic, etc.) of the many groups that shape American society and culture, in particular those groups that have suffered discrimination and exclusion.
  • Demonstrate communication skills necessary for living and working effectively in a society with great population diversity.