Legal Constructions of Race in the Netherlands

About

Why does racial discrimination and inequality remain a problem in modern society? By now, most people accept that the idea that ‘race’, when used to describe people, is not a biological fact, but a social construct. However, explaining how this social construction works in practice can be difficult. This course aims to remedy that difficulty. Using the Netherlands as a case study, it provides historical context and concrete examples of how ‘race’ has functioned as a legal concept throughout history and how laws regulating race have adapted to the postcolonial, some say even post-racial world. By examining how race is enacted through laws in different eras and territories, we will get to the central question of why racial inequality and discrimination persist

Course leader

Alison Fischer

Target group

This course explores how law creates and enforces the idea of 'race' as it relates to human beings. Using both historic and present day examples, we will examine what it means to say that 'race is a social construct', and identify ways that law contributes to and counteracts racial inequalities in society. We will also look at how law enables or inhibits activism and organizing for social change.

This course is aimed at students at all levels and disciplinary backgrounds. Despite the 'law' in the title, it takes an interdisciplinary approach, incorporating methods from political science, history, literature and even visual art. Despite the 'Netherlands' in the title, it is aimed at an international audience, examining the Dutch case study through a comparative lens. Readings will be a mix of academic articles and popular material, and students will propose and execute a small independent research project. While more appropriate for advanced bachelor students, the course welcomes anyone willing to make the effort. It could be interesting to masters students and even beginning PhD researchers. No prior knowledge is required

Course aim

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

Define the concepts of social and legal constructions of race and other identity-linked concepts
Explain how legal and social constructions apply to concepts of race and citizenship
Describe how different legal status of Dutch citizens from former colonies impacted migration and establishment of communities in the Netherlands. Compare the Dutch experience to those in North America and other European countries
Evaluate the role of legal construction of race and citizenship in current controversies surrounding migration, hate speech and criminal justice
Evaluate the efficacy of using law and courts to address historic and present-day disputes around race, racism or inequality

Fee info