Graduate Topics in African American Studies (480-0-20)

Topic

Black Conceptual Methodologies

Instructors

Barnor Hesse
8474913775
1860 Campus Dr Crowe 5-131

Meeting Info

Kresge Centennial Hall 3-410: Wed 2:00PM - 4:50PM

Overview of class

The aim of this course is to introduce graduate students to the importance of analysing, appropriating and formulating concepts in historically and theoretically oriented Black Studies research. This intellectual approach is described as Black Conceptual Methodologies. Through this course we will explore techniques and ideas through various critiques of western critical theory and elaborations of Black conceptualizations in relation to modern questions of history, power, hegemony, ideology, resistance and theory. In order to build towards this methodological exposition students will be introduced to techniques for evaluating and formulating concepts, as well as identifying the methods of Black conceptualizations. With reference to theoretical or ethnographic aspects of research, students will be required to undertake applied conceptual work in their assessed papers. In addition, each student will be required to innovate and develop their own formulation of Black methodological concept. Overall, the course will challenge students to think more analytically, critically and methodologically about the explanatory impact, role, applications and developments of concepts in Black studies research and theorizing.

Learning Objectives

1. Students will learn techniques of Black conceptualization.
2. Students will develop a methodological approach to the formulation of their own concepts in Black Studies.
3. Students will understand the significance of conceptual elaboration and analysis in Black studies.
4. Students will be able to engage theoretically and conceptually with Black studies.

Class Materials (Required)

Stuart Hall, 2016, Cultural Studies 1983, US: Duke University Press, ISBN-10 9780822362630
William David Hart, 2020, The Blackness of Black, US: Lexington Books, ISBN-10 1793615888

Supplementary Readings
Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattari, 1996, What is Philosophy? Columbia University Press,
ISBN-10 9780231079891
Dino Franco Felluga, 2015, Critical Theory: The Key Concepts, New York: Routledge
ISBN - 10 9780415695657
Katherine McKittrick, 2021, Dear Science and Other Stories, Duke University Press
ISBN - 10 14780111041