POL S 514 A: Selected Topics in Political Theory

Spring 2024 Theme: CRITICAL RACE STUDIES

Pol S 514 - Critical Race Studies - Spring 2024.pdf

This seminar introduces you to the transdisciplinary field of critical race studies. Early weeks will focus on the recent controversy surrounding critical race theory (CRT) and CRT’s origins in critical legal scholarship. We will next turn to the foundations of critical race theory in Black political thought. We will then do case studies on whiteness, immigration, racial triangulation, and settler colonialism. We will conclude with a unit on epistemic injustice. Authors include Richard Delgado, Jean Stefancic, Derrick Bell, Alan Freeman, Kimberlé Crenshaw, Charles Lawrence, Cheryl Harris, W. E. B. Du Bois, Lawrie Balfour, Melvin Rogers, bell hooks, Joel Olson, Cristina Beltrán, Claire Jean Kim, Janelle Wong, Patrick Wolfe, Nick Estes, and José Medina.

Evaluation will be based on class participation, a 5-7 page midterm essay, and a 12-to-15-page research paper. Students will do research presentations in Week 10. Research papers are due at the end of finals.