Honors Seminars Spring 2013

Biological theories of race are linked to eugenics. Eugenics is the study of a belief in the possibility of improving the qualities of the human species or a human population especially by such means as discouraging reproduction by personas having genetic defects or presumed to have inheritable undesirable traits (negative eugenics) or encouraging reproduction of persons presumed to have inheritable desirable traits (positive eugenics). The Nazis gave eugenics its negative connotations, but the practice and the science that supports it has its historical roots in the United States and in particular for poor people and people of color in North Carolina. Over 8,000 sterilizations were approved by the Eugenics Board of North Carolina. This seminar will take a look at eugenics and its impact on society and in particular the state of North Carolina.