Course information

The aim of this Vertically Integrated Project is to understand how scientific theory has been used to support the concept of race and justify racism, and how legitimate contemporary genetic analyses undermine racial arguments. We will study the genetics of human diversity, including those phenotypes (e.g., skin colour, facial features) commonly deployed to categorize individuals into racialized groups, drawing attention to their arbitrariness and unrepresentativeness. We will also discuss the history of scientific racism, from its emergence in the Enlightenment and during European colonialism up to the present, with particular focus on theories of eugenics. We may also consider the topics of (a) race and health, (b) race and sporting performance, and (c) race and intelligence, before exploring what biologists and biology students can do to promote public understanding of these issues and push an antiracist agenda. The main activity for students is to conduct small-group projects designed to produce antiracist resources targeted for the public domain. They will also complete weekly reflective logs and produce a poster. The VIP comprises a mix of lectures, group discussion, student presentations and group project work.