Critical Social Inquiry 0231 - Critical Theories & Justice: Race, Gender, Disability, Sexuality, Neurodiversity

Critical theory analyzes how structures, institutions, and norms perpetuate and reproduce oppression. By exposing the "ordinary" practices of society as contingent constructions that create and maintain hierarchies, critical theories create opportunities to change those practices and pursue a more just world. This seminar offers an introduction to the methods and tools critical theories employ and apply, across a range of intersecting identities. The course will begin by studying the analytic framework of critical race theory, which provides a well-developed model for analyzing the operations of oppression and reproduction of racial hierarchy. The second section of the course surveys works employing critical theory approaches to gender, disability, sexuality, and neurodiversity. The final section of the course will be designed collaboratively by the members of the seminar, responding to interests, projects, and priorities of students. No prior knowledge or expertise is necessary. KEYWORDS: Critical race theory; disability justice; feminist theory; political philosophy; law

Media and Technology The content of this course deals with issues of Race and Power Students are expected to spend a minimum of 6-8 hours of work outside of class time per week BOOKS: Title:Critical Race Theory: An Introduction Author:Richard Delgado and Jean Stefancic ISBN:9781479802760 Cost:$17.99 Title:Custom Course Reader Cost:$75.00