PHIL 3018 Philosophy of Race and Racism

This is an archived copy of the 2022-2023 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit https://hbook.westernsydney.edu.au.

Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 102789

Coordinator Jennifer Mensch Opens in new window

Description This subject focuses on philosophical approaches to race and racism. Academic discourse about race sits at the intersection of overlapping research programs taking place in a number of fields including cultural anthropology, the history of science, sociology, political theory, communication studies, and critical philosophy of race. This subject will draw on discussions from a number of these fields. Students will interrogate the ways in which subjects are racialized, both by culture and by the state. They will analyse major texts concerned with race and racism, and examine and critique the role of ignorance within racist discourse.

School Humanities & Comm Arts

Discipline Philosophy

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 4 10cp

Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 3 subject

Assumed Knowledge

Successful completion of 60 credit points of study in currently enrolled program.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
  1. Apply the methodology of critical philosophers of race to interrogate and deconstruct the processes by which subjects are racialized by culture and the state.
  2. Analyse major texts in the traditions of political phenomenology, intersectional feminist philosophy, and African American existentialism.
  3. Use standpoint epistemology to diagnose and reframe the epistemologies of ignorance at work in racist discourse.

Subject Content

African American existential philosophy
Political Phenomenology
Philosophy of Race and the State
Intersectional Feminist Philosophy
Standpoint Epistemology
Epistemologies of Ignorance
Aboriginal sovereignty

Assessment

The following table summarises the standard assessment tasks for this subject. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated, where there is a difference your Learning Guide takes precedence.

Type Length Percent Threshold Individual/Group Task
Portfolio 1,000 words each 60 N Individual
Essay 2,000 words 40 N Individual

Teaching Periods

Autumn (2022)

Bankstown

Day

Subject Contact Jennifer Mensch Opens in new window

View timetable Opens in new window

Parramatta - Victoria Rd

Day

Subject Contact Jennifer Mensch Opens in new window

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Structures that include subject