Race, Racism, and Science: Social Impact and Interaction

John P Jackson

ISBN 10: 0813537363 / ISBN 13: 9780813537368

Published by Rutgers University Press, 2005

About this Item

Since the eighteenth century when natural historians created the idea of distinct racial categories, scientific findings on race have been a double-edged sword. For some antiracists, science holds the promise of one day providing indisputable evidence to help eradicate racism. On the other hand, science has been enlisted to promote racist beliefs ranging from a justification of slavery in the eighteenth century to the infamous twentieth-century book, The Bell Curve,whose authors argued that racial differences in intelligence resulted in lower test scores for African Americans.            This well-organized, readable textbook takes the reader through a chronological account of how and why racial categories were created and how the study of ?race? evolved in multiple academic disciplines, including genetics, psychology, sociology, and anthropology. In a bibliographic essay at the conclusion of each of the book?s seven sections, the authors recommend primary texts that will further the reader?s understanding of each topic. Heavily illustrated and enlivened with sidebar biographies, this text is ideal for classroom use.

Seller Inventory # CIN0813537363G

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Race, Racism, and Science: Social Impact and Interaction
• Publisher: Rutgers University Press
• Publication Date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0813537363
• ISBN 13: 9780813537368
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: Good

About this title

Synopsis

Since the eighteenth century when natural historians created the idea of distinct racial categories, scientific findings on race have been a double-edged sword. For some antiracists, science holds the promise of one day providing indisputable evidence to help eradicate racism. On the other hand, science has been enlisted to promote racist beliefs ranging from a justification of slavery in the eighteenth century to the infamous twentieth-century book, The Bell Curve,whose authors argued that racial differences in intelligence resulted in lower test scores for African Americans.

            This well-organized, readable textbook takes the reader through a chronological account of how and why racial categories were created and how the study of “race” evolved in multiple academic disciplines, including genetics, psychology, sociology, and anthropology. In a bibliographic essay at the conclusion of each of the book’s seven sections, the authors recommend primary texts that will further the reader’s understanding of each topic. Heavily illustrated and enlivened with sidebar biographies, this text is ideal for classroom use.

About the Author

JOHN P. JACKSON, JR., is an assistant professor in the department of communication at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

NADINE M. WEIDMAN is a lecturer in history of science at the Harvard University Extension School and the author of Constructing Scientific Psychology: Karl Lashley's Mind-Brain Debates.