David L. Rouse
Office: Z216
376-4577
TEXTS: Fred Lee Hord and Jonathan Scott Lee. I Am Because We Are: Readings in Black Philosophy. University of Massachusetts Press, 1995.
PURPOSE OF THE COURSE: The couse will examine a range of philosophical writings from African and the African diaspora (the Caribbean and Noth America). The student should gain not only a heightened appreciation of Black cultures from slavery to hip-hop, but a critical understanding of the interaction of culture and philosophical reflection in the context of the Black experience.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING: Students are expected to attend class and do the assigned readings before each class session. For 200 level students, there will be a mid-term and a fnal, each counting for 1/3 of the course grade. The remaining 1/3 will be based on class participation. For 300 level students, there will be a mid-term, a final, and a term paper, each counting 1/4 of the course grade. The remaining 1/4 will be based on class participation. The term paper is to be on a topic chosen by the student and approved by the instructor. It should be 10-12 pages in length.
Grades are assigned as follows.
92-100 A
90-91.9 A-
88-89.9 B+
82-87.9 B
80-81.9 B-
78-79.9 C+
72-78.9 C
70-71.9 C-
68-69.9 D+
62-68.9 D
60-61.9 D-
0-59.9 F
Students are expected to know and abide by the rules of The University of Virginia's College at Wise, including the Honor Code.
Schedule
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Date |
Topic/Assignment |
|
24 Aug |
Introduction to the course. |
|
26 |
"I am because we are": An Introduction to Black
Philosophy, p.1 |
|
29 |
The Declarations of Innocence, p. 21 |
|
31 |
Akoko, An Interview with H. Odera Oruka, p. 32 |
|
2 Sept |
Senghor, Negritude: A humanism of the Twentieth Century, p. 45 |
|
5 |
Nkrumah, Consciencism, p. 55 |
|
7 |
Nyerere, Ujamaa--The Basis of African Socialism, p. 65 |
|
9 |
Cabral, Identity and Dignity in the Context of National Liberation Struggle, p. 73 Portrait of Cabral; map of Guinnea-Bisseau; map of Cape Verde |
| 12 | Soyinka, from Myth, Literature, and the African World, p. 84 |
|
14 |
Thiam, Feminism and Revolution, p. 94 |
|
16 |
Mandela, We Are Committed to Building a Single Nation in Our Century, p. 108 |
|
19 |
The Caribbean: Introduction, p. 117 |
|
21 |
Blyden, The Call of Providence to the Decendants of Africa in America, p. 121 |
|
23 |
Garvey, Africa for the Africans, p. 136 Rasta web site, Jamaica map, Portrait of Garvey, Universal Negro Improvement Assocation |
|
26 |
Garvey, The Future as I See It, p. 140 |
|
28 |
Mid-term Review |
|
30 |
Mid-term Review |
|
3 Oct |
Mid-term due |
|
5 |
Price-Mars, from So Uncle Said, p. 145 |
|
7 |
James, The West Indian Middle Class, p. 152 |
|
17 |
Cesaire, from Discourse on Colonialism, p. 162 |
|
19 |
Fanon, Racism and Culture, p. 172 |
|
21 |
Rodney, Black Power, a Basic Understanding, p. 182 |
|
24 |
Hodge, The Shadow of the Whip: A Comment of Male-Female Relations in the Caribbean, p. 189 |
|
26 |
North America: Introduction, p. 195 |
|
28 |
Douglas, Oration, Delivered in Corinthian Hall, July 5, 1852, p. 203 |
|
31 |
Crummell, The Relations and Duties of Free Colored Men in America to Africa, p. 219 Portrait of Crummell |
|
2 Nov |
Cooper, Womanhood: A Vital Element in the Regeneration and Progress of a Race, p. 231 |
|
4 |
Washington, The Atlanta Exposition Address, p. 243 |
|
7 |
Du Bois, On Being Ashamed on Oneself: An Essay on Race Pride, p. 250 |
|
9 |
Locke, The New Negro, p. 261 |
|
11 |
Malcolm X, Speech on "Black Revolution" (New York, April 8, 1964), p. 272 |
|
14 |
King, Black Power, p. 285 |
|
16 |
Davis, Radical Perspectives on the Empowerment of Afro-American Women: Lessons for the 1980's, p. 296 |
|
18 |
Outlaw, Philosophy, Ethnicity, and Race, p. 304 |
|
21 |
hooks, Feminism: A Transformational Politic, p. 329 |
|
28 |
Asante, The Afrocentric Idea in Education, p. 338 |
|
30 |
West, Learning to Talk of Race, p. 350 |
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2 Dec |
West, The Black Underclass and Black Philosophers, p. 356 Term papers due |
|
5 |
Harris, Postmodernism and Utopia, an Unholy Alliance, p. 367 |
|
7 |
Review |
|
9 |
Review |
|
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Final Exam |
