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SyllabusBlack Political and Social ThoughtSpring 2001Marist CollegeDr. Greg MosesPlease consider the following links:
A growing collection of documents available online from Stanford University. In this course we will first survey the history of black American philosophy from David Walker through Cornel West, looking for distinctive issues and positions; then we will turn to a brief consideration of music and literature before consulting a recent anthology of black feminist thought, inquiring into the role of cultural contexts for the creation of political and social thought; finally we will read the newest and oldest developments in black thought as we review the collected writings of Cornel West and consider the reconstruction of ancient Egyptian philosophy by Asante. Required Texts (in order of use):
Assignments and Grades: The final grade will be based on the following components, each equally weighted:
By the end of the course, students should be able to identify key figures, issues, and positions of black American political and social thought; consider the relationship between political thought and cultural context; and critically examine the overall value of black contributions in political and social thought; in each case demonstrating skills of scholarly precision, sympathetic understanding, and critical evaluation. Regular attendance is expected. Documentation of an excused absence will be accepted within two weeks of the absence. More than two unexcused absences will result in the deduction of a letter from the final grade. More than three unexcused absences will result in the deduction of two letters. More than four unexcused absences and the instructor reserves the right to issue a failing grade for the course. Jan. 17-Introduction. Review syllabus. Preparing for a discussion-centered classroom. Student expectations of course. First workshops. Select figures. Part I. Critical Survey of Black American Philosophy: Key Figures, Themes, and Positions. For the first half of the course, we will explore the anthology of black American thought edited by Leonard Harris, exploring key figures, issues, and positions. At the end of the survey, students will be asked to write a nine-page paper exploring a self-selected issue. The first three pages of the paper will frame the issue as presented by various figures of our study, with careful attention to scholarly presentation (i.e. carefully documented evidence of what has been written on the issue). The next three pages will focus on two competing positions that arise within the issue, again with careful attention to scholarly presentation. The final three pages will present the student's own assessment of the value of considering the issue and the student's critical evaluation of competing positions. Assessment will be based on completeness, careful scholarship, sound reasoning, composition, difficulty, and originality. Jan. 24-Insurrectionist Values Past and Present Read: Harris, Part I (Walker, Stewart, Harper, Woodbey, Du Bois, Jones, & Davis). Prepare: After reading the section, focus on one figure and write two paragraphs. In the first paragraph summarize key issues and positions for your selected figure, using careful scholarship. In the second paragraph, explore your own critical assessment of the figure's work as presented in the anthology. Workshops: Please take turns, with each member of the workshop sharing the results of preparation. Forum: Working through each figure, we will begin to explore issues (on the nature of the state, religion, or culture?) and positions.
Jan. 31-Moral Suasionist Values Past and Present Read: Harris, Part II (Douglass, Cooper, Baker, King). Prepare: As above, one paragraph summary, one paragraph critical assessment. Workshops: Students will "cluster" according to selected figures and prepare a cooperative presentation for class consideration. As above, please take turns sharing. Look at the second hand on the clock. Each participant should have about three minutes of space for opening remarks. Forum: For each figure, we will consider oral reports, looking for issues and positions that still have living meaning for us. After Break: Please regroup into workshops to select figures for next class. Feb. 7-Instrumentalist Values Past and Present Read: Harris, Part III (Delaney, Crummell, Locke, Karenga, McGarry). Prepare: Summary and critical assessment of selected figure. Workshops: Cluster according to figures, organizing oral presentation. Forum: Consideration of oral reports; looking for issues and positions. After Break: Regroup for selection of figures. Feb. 14-Postmodernity Read: Harris, Part IV (Harris, Gilbert, Boxill, Thomas). Prepare: Summary and critical assessment of selected figure. Workshops: Cluster according to figures, organizing oral presentation. Forum: Consideration of oral reports; looking for issues and positions. After Break: Regroup for selection of figures. Feb. 21-African American Philosophy Read: Harris, Part V (Harris, Green, Outlaw, West) and Sojourner Truth.. Prepare: Summary and critical assessment of selected figure. Workshops: Cluster according to figures, organizing oral presentation. Forum: Consideration of oral reports; looking for issues and positions. Review: Getting ready for the paper due next week. Feb. 28-Papers on figures, issues, and positions. Workshops: Sharing our work. Review the highlights of your paper with workshop members. Forum: Sharing selected papers. Note: Absence or late papers will result in ten-point deduction. Video: From political to cultural. Part II. Feminism, Culture, and Political Thought. In this section of the course, we will explore contributions from black feminism, including a challenge to our usual habits of dividing cultural from political concerns. At the end of the section, students will be asked to write a nine-page paper based on the model of the first paper: three pages setting up the framework of issues, three pages exploring competing positions, and three pages of critical reflection. Assessment will be based on completeness, careful scholarship, sound reasoning, composition, difficulty, and originality. Mar. 7-Toni Morrison Read: Jazz, pp. 1-87 and the Morrison essay in the Black Feminist Reader, pp. 24-56. Prepare: Select a passage from the novel that you would like to discuss in light of a passage from the essay. Write one page of discussion. Workshops: Share discussions. Divide remaining essays on literary theory. Forum: Consideration of Morrison's novel in light of her essay. Exploring the boundaries between fiction and political thought. For next time: Select an essay on literary theory. Spring Break Mar. 21-On Culture and Politics, Part II. Read: Jazz, pp. 89-229 and remaining selections on literary theory (Christian, Spillers, Awkward, Wynter). Prepare: Select a passage from the novel that you would like to discuss in light of a passage from your selected essay. Write one page of discussion. Workshops: Cluster according to selected essay. Share discussions. Prepare oral presentation. Forum: Consideration of Morrison's novel in light of literary theorists. Exploring the boundaries between culture and politics. Organize New Workshops: Select essays from "Social and Political Theory." Mar. 28-Black Feminist Political Theory Read: James & Sharpley-Whiting, Part II (hooks, Davis, Collins, Crenshaw, James). Prepare: One paragraph summarizing issues and positions. One paragraph of critical reflection. Workshops: Cluster according to theorist. Share preparations. Forum: Oral presentations on each figure, looking for issues and positions. What does feminism add or challenge that we have not seen before? What does feminism reinforce from previous readings? Review: Paper due next week. Apr. 4-Paper workshops. Workshops: Sharing our work. Review the highlights of your paper with workshop members. Forum: Sharing selected papers. Note: Absence or late papers will result in ten-point deduction. Part III. To the Limits: West, Asante, and Philosophy since Egypt. In this section of the course we will review collected writings of Cornel West and an introduction to the philosophy of ancient Egypt. Here we will ask big questions about the value of black philosophy. At the end of the section, students will write a paper according to previous models, with three pages of scholarly framework, three pages of detailed discussion about the relevant positions of West and Asante, and three pages of critical assessment. Assessment will be based on completeness, careful scholarship, sound reasoning, composition, difficulty, and originality. Apr. 11-Into West Read: 60-70 pages of the West reader, according to your own interest. Prepare: One paragraph summarizing issues and positions, and one paragraph of critical response. Workshops: Sharing opening thoughts about West. Organize discussion of three selected passages, with at least two group members per passage. Forum: Oral reports on selected passages. Getting acquainted with West. For next time: Dividing sections of West (75 pages of reading per student). Apr. 18-Further West Read: Selected passages of West. Prepare: One paragraph summarizing issues and positions, and one paragraph of critical response. Workshops: Cluster according to sections covered. Prepare essential reports on highlights, with critical responses. Forum: Oral reports by section. For next time: Divide chapters 3-14 (two apiece?) in Asante. Apr. 25-Asante, Afrocentricity, and Philosophy Read: Asante's Egyptian Philosophers, with a focus on the first two chapters plus two chapters as selected. Prepare: 1-2 page discussion covering the key points of your reading. Workshop: Cluster, core group, or forum? Forum: Lessons from ancient Egypt. Preparing the final paper May 2-Paper workshop: final considerations on black political & social thought. Final: Sharing results of final paper Contact Information
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