Fall 2008

E 389P • BLACK FEMINIST THEORY

Course Description

BLACK FEMINIST THEORY Fall 2008 Black feminist theory constitutes a distinctive body of politics and thought by black women scholars and activists in the U.S., Africa, and in other parts of the African diaspora. This framework will enable us to examine the continuities between black women's theorizing in diverse locations, as well as exploring how different histories, geographies and genealogies lead to divergent perspectives. Themes explored will include the racial dimensions of biological racism and comparative anatomy, slavery, colonialism, diaspora consciousness, multiple genders and sexualities in Black cultures and communities, and class difference and inequities of power within Black communities. The class will be conducted using interdisciplinary perspectives including history, sociology, literature and film. We will read from a variety of Black feminist writers, thinkers and scholars including but not limited to: Barbara Smith, Patricia Hill Collins, Patricia Williams, Hortense Spillers, Audre Lorde, Cheryl Harris, Wahneema Lubiano, Cathy Cohen, Carol Boyce Davis, Molara Ogundipe-Leslie, Toni Morrison, Barbara Christian and Sharon Holland.

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