Explore Race and Ethnicity in SOC 266

Compared to many larger schools, PVCC has a small selection of sociology classes, but one of the most interesting is SOC 266, Race and Ethnicity.  This class is only taught in the fall semester by Dr. Kim Hoosier, professor of sociology. Dr. Hossier said, “I hope it changes their worldview.”

When Dr. Hoosier asked her class what they wanted people to know about SOC 266, they said that everyone should have to take the class because it is worldview expanding.

The class starts with the year 1619 at the settlement of Jamestown. From there, the class looks at American history from the perspective of race and ethnicity, all the way through World War II.

Then, once the students have a grounding in the historical context, the last third of the class focuses on current issues such as mass incarceration and housing discrimination. 

PVCC student Corey Goldberg said that every new lesson was “shocking and depressing.” But he thinks that shock makes the lessons more impactful.

In response, Dr. Hosseir said, “If I have shocked and depressed you, then my job is done for today.”

Even though the class deals with many heavy subjects, there is also space in the classroom for a constructive and fun discussion.

As for the duller details of the class, it fulfills UVA’s guaranteed transfer requirement of a non-western or minority subculture perspective class. It also fulfills PVCC’s social science elective and there are no prerequisites. The class has a lot of reading and most of it is from links on Canvas. The class also has assigned videos and podcast episodes, so it is not just reading. Goldberg said the class is not too hard, but you have to do the work.