This volume collects interdisciplinary essays that examine the crucial intersection between whiteness as a privileged racial category and the various material practices (social, cultural, political, and economic) that undergird white ideological influence in America. In truth, the need to examine whiteness as a problem has rarely been grasped outside academic circles. The ubiquity of whiteness - its pervasive quality as an ideal that is at once omnipresent and invisible - makes it the very epitome of the mainstream in America. And yet the undeniable relationship between whiteness and inequality in this country necessitates a thorough interrogation of its formation, its representation, and its reproduction. Essays here seek to do just that work. Editors and contributors interrogate whiteness as a social construct, revealing the underpinnings of narratives that foster white skin as an ideal of beauty, intelligence, and power. Contributors examine whiteness from several disciplinary perspectives, including history, communication, law, sociology, and literature. Its breadth and depth makes The Construction of Whiteness a refined introduction to the critical study of race for a new generation of scholars, undergraduates, and graduate students. Moreover, the interdisciplinary approach of the collection will appeal to scholars in African and African American studies, ethnic studies, cultural studies, legal studies, and more. This collection delivers an important contribution to the field of whiteness studies in its multifaceted impact on American history and culture.

STRESS STYLES It is late afternoon on the last Friday of the month. At the bank, the lines of customers waiting to deposit their paychecks or to withdraw money for the weekend have stretched practically to the front doors. At one window, a customer finishes and the next person, a merchant, steps up. He opens a cloth bag and produces a stack of checks, cash, and deposit slips almost two inches thick. The teller's eyes widen. This will be at least ten minutes' work, maybe fifteen. What about those other customers waiting in line? How will they react? Interestingly enough, the reactions of the customers waiting in line behind the merchant vary considerably. Gary Johnson, for instance, is furious. He grinds his cigarette under his heel and mutters about inconsiderate jerks who wait until the last minute to deposit their week's receipts. Gary shifts back and forth from foot to foot, the swaying of his body telegraphing his frustration. He probes his pockets to see whether any of his antacid mints are left. Finding none, he curses under his breath and lights another cigarette.

Black Acting Methods seeks to offer alternatives to the Euro-American performance styles that many actors find themselves working with. A wealth of contributions from directors, scholars and actor trainers address afrocentric processes and aesthetics, and interviews with key figures in Black American theatre illuminate their methods. This ground-breaking collection is an essential resource for teachers, students, actors and directors seeking to reclaim, reaffirm or even redefine the role and contributions of Black culture in theatre arts.

Black Acting Methods seeks to offer alternatives to the Euro-American performance styles that many actors find themselves working with. A wealth of contributions from directors, scholars and actor trainers address afrocentric processes and aesthetics, and interviews with key figures in Black American theatre illuminate their methods. This ground-breaking collection is an essential resource for teachers, students, actors and directors seeking to reclaim, reaffirm or even redefine the role and contributions of Black culture in theatre arts.

Authentic world literature provides the source material for students to enhance their critical thinking, reading, and writing skills. The Instructor's Manual makes teaching suggestions for the Student's Book. It also provides mini-lectures and background materials for each reading.

Authentic world literature provides the source material for students to enhance their critical thinking, reading, and writing skills. The Student's Book offers 32 classic and contemporary selections from around the world. It also contains peer work, regional maps, vocabulary, and other activities.