730:258:01 Prof. H. McGary Philosophy and the Black Experience Spring 2013
Meeting Times and Place:
Mondays and Thursdays, 12:35 pm – 1:55 pm, Douglass College, Bio-205
Office and Office Hours:
1 Seminary Place, CAC, Room 301, Phone: 932-9861 (Messages), Email: [email protected], Office Hours: Mondays and Thursdays 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm and by appointment.
Course Description:
In this course, we shall examine various accounts and theories concerning the meaning and nature of race and racism as well as the moral, political, psychological, and social consequences of centuries of anti-black oppression. Questions shall include: What is the metaphysical nature of races? What are the ideological, moral, and political aspects of racism? And what should be done to remedy the damaging effects of racism and racial oppression? We shall also examine the debate over the nature and value of black political leadership.
The aims of the course include: (1) sharpening analytical, argumentative skills and writing skills (2) exposing students to attempts by professional philosophers to use their methods to explore philosophical concerns raised by race and racism.
Course Requirements:
Each student must participate in class discussion, write one 8-10 page critical (argumentative) essay, and take a mid-semester and final examination.
Class Participation Mid-semester Examination (March 14th) Final Paper, 8-10 pages, (Due: April 29th) Final Examination (Final Exam Period)
Evaluation of Course Requirements:
Class Participation: 10%; Term paper: 30%; Mid-semester Exam: 25%; Final Exam: 35% Class discussion is an important part of this course. Accordingly, students are required to attend class, do the assigned readings, and participate in class discussions. Students who fail to attend class without a legitimate excuse will receive a failing grade for that session. Legitimate excuses include: the observance of religious holidays, participation in official University activities, and serious medical or family problems.
Class contributions will be judged according to the following criteria:
* The extent to which the contribution demonstrates an understanding of the material; * The extent to which the contribution advances the discussion; 2
* The extent to which the contribution is coherent, thoughtful, and novel.
Both examinations will be in-class essay exams, and the final paper must state a clear and interesting thesis that is germane to a topic discussed in the course. This will mean that you might have to read ahead if you wish to write about a text or theme that is discussed later in the course. I will provide you with instructions for writing your paper.
Course Format:
In most sessions, I will begin by presenting a thesis advanced in the assigned reading. Then I will examine the reasons the author advances in support of his/her thesis. Finally, I will ask the class whether you think the author has provided a good (sound) argument in support of his /her thesis.
Policy Regarding Academic Dishonesty:
Academic dishonesty is against University standards. Academic dishonesty means cheating, plagiarism, or otherwise satisfying requirements through fraudulent means. The University has established disciplinary procedures for academic dishonesty.
Course Readings:
You are required to purchase two books: W.E.B. DuBois, The Souls of Black Folk, Dover Press, 1994 and Robert Gooding-Williams, In the Shadow of DuBois: Afro-Modern Political Thought in America, Harvard University Press, 2009. The other readings for this course can be found on the Rutgers Sakai site for the course.
Useful Background Texts (not required):
Albert Atkin, (2012), The Philosophy of Race Anthony Appiah (2005), The Ethics of Identity Anthony Appiah (1992), In My Father’s House Bernard Boxill (2003), Race and Racism (edited volume) Bernard Boxill (1983), Blacks and Social Justice J. Angelo Corlett (2010), Heirs of Oppression J. Angelo Corlett (2003), Race, Racism, and Reparations Derrick Darby (2009), Rights, Race, and Recognition Emmanuel C. Eze (1997), Race and the Enlightenment Lewis Gordon (1995), Bad Faith and Anti-Black Racism Thomas E. Gossett (1963), Race: The History of an Idea in America Leonard Harris (1983), Philosophy Born of Struggle Immanuel Kant (1785), Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals Bill Lawson, editor, (1992), The Underclass Question John Locke (1690), The Second Treatise of Government Howard McGary (1999), Race and Social Justice Howard McGary and Bill Lawson (1992), Between Slavery and Freedom John Stuart Mill (1863), Utilitarianism John Stuart Mill (1859), On Liberty Lucius Outlaw (1996), On Race and Philosophy Charles Mills (1997), The Racial Contract Tommie Shelby (2005), We Who Are Dark Anna Stubblefield (2005), Ethics Along the Color Line 3
Paul Taylor (2004), Race: A Philosophical Introduction Cornel West (1993), Race Matters Cornel West (1989), The American Evasion of Philosophy Naomi Zack (1993), Race and Mixed Race
Schedule of Readings (First Installment):
Week 1
January 24 Introduction to the Course 28 W.E.B. DuBois, The Souls of Black Folk (SOBF), Chapters I-V Week 2
31 W.E.B. DuBois, SOBF, Chapters VI-X February 4 W.E.B. DuBois, SOBF, Chapters XI-XIV
Week 3
February 7 Anthony Appiah, “The Uncompleted Argument: DuBois and the Illusion of Race” 11 Anthony Appiah, “The Uncompleted Argument”
Week 4
14 Charles Mills, “But What Are You Really?” 18 Charles Mills, “But What Are You Really?”
Week 5
21 Ron Mallon, “Passing, Traveling and Reality: Social Construction and the Metaphysics of Race”
25 Ron Mallon, “Passing, Traveling and Reality”
Week 6
28 Phillip Kitcher, “Does Race Have a Future?” March 4 Phillip Kitcher, “Does Race Have a Future?”
Week 7
7 Kwame Anthony Appiah, “Racisms” 11 Kwame Anthony Appiah, “Racisms”
Week 8
14 Mid-Semester Exam (In-Class) 18 Spring Recess
Week 9
21 Spring Recess 4
25 J.L.A. Garcia, „The Heart of Racism”
Week 10
28 J.L.A. Garcia, “The Heart of Racism” April 1 Tommie Shelby “Is Racism in the Heart
Week 11
4 Lawrence Blum, “Three Kinds of Race-Related Solidarity” 8 Lawrence Blum, “Three Kinds of Race-Related Solidarity”
Week 12
11 Robert Gooding-Williams, In the Shadow of DuBois (ISD): Intro. & Chapter 1 15 Robert Gooding-Williams, ISD: Chapter 2
Week 13
18 Robert Gooding-Williams, ISD: Chapter 3 22 Robert Gooding-Williams, ISD: Chapter 4
Week 14
25 Robert Gooding-Williams, ISD: Chapter 5 29 Robert Gooding-Williams, ISD: Chapter 6
Week 15
May 2 Class Debate 6 Final Exam Review
5
April 1
Week 11
April 4 6
April 8
Week 12
April 11
April 15
Week 13
April 18
April 22
Week 14
April 25
April 29
Week 15
May 2
May 6
7
The Nature of Racial Oppression:
October 6 Iris Marion Young, “The Five Faces of Oppression,” in her Justice and the Politics of Difference, 1990 October 8 Sally Haslanger, “Oppression: Racial and Other,” in Michael P. LeVine and Tamas Pataki, eds., Racism in Mind, 2004.
Week 7
October 13 Review October 15 Mid-semester Exam (In Class)
Schedule of Readings:
Week 8
Psychological Effects of Racial Oppression:
October 20 Howard McGary, “Alienation and the African American Experience,” from his Race and Social Justice, 1999. October 22 J. Angelo Corlett “Surviving Evil in the United States: African and Native Americans,” from his Race, Racism, and Reparations, 2003.
Week 9
Ideological Aspects of Racism:
October 27 Bernard Boxill, “The Race-Class Question,” in Leonard Harris, ed., Philosophy Born of Struggle, 1983. October 29 Tommie Shelby, “Ideology, Racism, and Critical Social Theory,” Philosophical Forum 34 (2003): 153-188.
Week 10
The Political Consequences of Racism: 8
November 3 Charles Mills, “ Introduction” and “Overview” from his The Racial Contract, 1997. November 5 Tommie Shelby, “Race, Culture, and Politics,” from his We Who Are Dark: The Philosophical Foundations of Black Solidarity, 2005.
Week 11
Racism and Self-Respect:
November 10 Thomas Hill, Jr., “Servility and Self-Respect,” in Tommy L. Lott, ed., African American Philosophy: Selected Readings, 2002. November 12 Bernard Boxill, “Self-Respect and Protest,” in Tommy L. Lott, ed., African American Philosophy: Selected Readings, 2002.
730:258:01 McGary Philosophy and the Black Experience Fall 2009
Schedule of Readings:
Week 12
Race and Reparations:
November 17 Bernard Boxill, “A Lockean Argument for Black Reparations,” Journal of Ethics 7 (2003): 63-91. November 19 Howard McGary, “Achieving Democratic Equality: Forgiveness, Reconciliation, and Reparations,” Journal of Ethics 7 (2003): 93-113.
Week 13
Feminism and Oppression:
November 24. bell hooks, “Black Women: Shaping Feminist Theory,” in Tommy L. Lott, ed., African-American Philosophy: Selected Readings, 2002. November 26 Thanksgiving Holiday
Week 14
December 1 Macalester Bell, “A Woman‟s Scorn: Toward a Feminist Defense of Contempt as a Moral Emotion,” Hypatia 20 (2005): 80-93. December 3 Class Debate 9
Week 15
December 8 Class Debate December 10 Review