Studies in African American Philosophy (324-0-21)
Instructors
Corey Lorenzo Barnes
Meeting Info
University Hall 122: Tues, Thurs 3:30PM - 4:50PM
Overview of class
African American Philosophy can be understood as philosophical
engagement with African American experiences. And since African Americans (and thus their
experiences) are a Western people, African American Philosophy is often theorized as, even if
contentiously, engaged with Western philosophical traditions and methodologies. African
American Philosophy thereby tends to apply Western traditions and methodologies to issues such
as slavery, integration/self-segregation, assimilation/separatism, reparations, collective identity
and efficacy, intersectionality, etc., and concepts such as respect, alienation, oppression,
citizenship, forgiveness, art, progress, etc. as they are either conceptualized or reimagined
through African American experiences. This course introduces students to African American
Philosophy, but centers the work of one of the great pioneers of African American Philosophy—
namely, Charles W. Mills. And so students will engage many issues and concepts within African
American Philosophy by looking deeply—though not exclusively—into Mills' philosophy.
Learning Objectives
Identify and define issues and problems of concern, analyzing them critically and
systematically by asking relevant questions, examining different sides of an issue and evaluating
arguments and, where appropriate, using the language and techniques of formal logic to
articulate and assess argumentation.
• Construct clear, rigorous arguments for well-delineated theses.
• Critically reflect on and accurately describe experiences of privilege and oppression through
the lenses of themes related to African Americans.
• Describe struggles of African Americans against forces such as racism, sexism, and classism to
attain equitable outcomes.
• Critically and accurately examine the intersections of categories such as race, class, and gender
in an American context of unequal power relationships and social justice.
Class Materials (Required)
Charles W. Mills: Blackness Visible: Essays on Philosophy and Race
Other readings will be provided on CANVAS at no cost to students.
Class Notes
Final Paper
Enrollment Requirements
Enrollment Requirements: Registration is reserved for Philosophy PhD Graduate Students