Critical Social Inquiry 0172 - Critical Philosophies of Race

The meaning of race has been scrutinized across philosophical traditions and subdisciplines. Philosophers have asked questions such as the following: What is race/what does it mean in contemporary societies? What roles does race play not only in social and political domains, but also in individual modes of embodiment, identity, and self-consciousness? How does whiteness exist as an unacknowledged norm in philosophical thinking and society, and how can this norm be critically reassessed and overcome? How are race, racialization, and racism phenomenologically experienced? In what ways is racism coded into cultural and political forms of power in contemporary societies? In law? In the valuing of citizenry and life? How do conceptions and experiences of race differ across cultures? This survey course will examine the metaphysical, ontological, and epistemological issues that are generated by our concepts of race and racism. Keywords:Philosophy, Critical Theory, Racism, Anti-Racism, Black feminist Theory

In/Justice The content of this course deals with issues of race and power Students should expect to spend 6-8 hours weekly on work and preparation outside of class time Books: Title:Woman, Race, & Class Author:Angela Davis ISBN:9780394713519 Cost:$3-12 Title:Fear of Black Consciousness Author:Lewis Gordon ISBN:978-0374159023 Cost:$3-15