Overview

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Explores the theoretical foundations in critical racial geographies. Also examines the modern history and reach of Black, subaltern, and decolonial thought in global context, with particular attention to relations of capital, race, nation-state, social reproduction, and the unfolding of contending geographies beyond the dominant world order.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course is an introduction to theoretical foundations in critical racial geographies, anchored by Cedric Robinson’s rendering of the Black radical tradition under the title Black Marxism. We will examine the modern history and reach of Black radical thought in global context, with particular attention to relations of capital, race, nation-state, social reproduction, and the unfolding of contending geographies beyond dominant world order. Course work will guide you to understand and apply methods of historical materialist analysis and to participate in the ongoing criticism and evolution of such approaches. In this pursuit, you will become more familiar with critical vocabularies for thinking about modernity and consider how race, class, gender, and sexuality function as determinate forces. As intellectuals, you will also practice grounding yourselves in your own research and, from this standpoint, responsibly and deliberately position yourselves in the larger ideological terrain in which your work unfolds.

Note: There will be tutorials in the first week of class.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

1. Understand and apply methods of historical materialist analysis and participate in the ongoing criticism and evolution of such approaches;
2. Practice critical vocabularies for thinking about modernity and adopt tools to consider how race, class, gender, and sexuality function as determinate forces;
3. Acquire a general understanding of the infrastructural conditions undergirding the creation, dynamics, and stakes of contemporary place-based struggles;
4. Practice methods of problem-posing education to question the ways knowledge itself works and, concurrently, to think dynamically and creatively as social/historical contexts change.

Grading

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Cases of emergency may require students at any time to have reliably good internet connection, webcam, microphone, headphones (optional).  Please contact the instructor as soon as possible for support accessing any of these requirements through the appropriate SFU resources available to all students.

REQUIRED READING:

REQUIRED READING NOTES: