• This course retraces the development of African American philosophy, up to the present, with a special eye to the social, political, and moral questions most central to the modern inner city. One of our primary sources will be individuals impacted by mass incarceration and institutional inequities.
• We’ll begin by discussing its relevance, taking a crash-course in philosophical writing and argumentation, and by recounting the historical progression of Black psychological and philosophical thought in the United States up through the Second Great Migration.
• We’ll then shift gears to the contemporary context, drawing on urban sociology to explore philosophical questions surrounding agency, identity, self-respect, and governmental influence.
• A large portion of the course will be devoted to engaging with a variety of weekly guest speakers in order to learn about their experiences about the main themes of the course. This is an incredibly rewarding course and any student who wishes to enroll should know that their views and insight will be greatly valued! The discussion format of the course provides an opportunity to dive deeper into topics that aren’t covered in typical lectures.