| Quiz 1, 10%
Due, 2-18-22 |
Write a 2-3 page paper where you frame an argument as to what the true genesis of philosophy is. You must cite at least 2 sources you’ve been exposed to in class. Please feel free to use whatever argument suits you, for I’m grading you based upon how effectively you frame your argument, how you apply your critical thinking skills, and how you display your ability to note any obstacles to critical thinking in your disrupting and perpetuating of a philosophy genesis narrative. In case you’re not aware, this quiz is an amalgamation of your first three weeks in class, as it encompasses chapter 1 of IAP, chapters 1-2 of A Little History of Philosophy, and chapters 1-3 of CGCT. |
| Quiz 2, 10%
Due, 4-1-22 |
Write a 2-4 page paper as to how Fanon, Du Bois, or Baldwin (choose only one figure) stands as both a physical and textual representation of epistemological disruption to the dominant narrative? In other words, how do their ideas not align with traditionally taught and espoused philosophy ideas? For example, why do we hear about Plato, Aristotle, Nietzsche, Kant, Derrida, Hume as philosophical figures, but we never hear about Fanon, Du Bois, or Baldwin? What are the implications and consequences of the traditional philosophy narratives? How do these narratives create or disrupt systems and philosophies of intelligence or oppression? You must cite at least 3 sources from class and use at least 2 fallacies identified in chapter 10 of CGCT to show how Fanon, Du Bois, or Baldwin disrupted dominant epistemological narratives.
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| Quiz 3, 10%
Due, 4-22-22 |
Write a 2-4 page paper as to how Melanie Klein, Eve Tuck, or Queer Theory (choose only one figure/idea) stands as both physical and textual representations of epistemological disruption to the dominant narrative? In other words, how do their ideas not align with traditionally taught and espoused philosophy ideas? For example, why do we hear about Plato, Aristotle, Nietzsche, Kant, Derrida, Hume as philosophical figures, but we never hear about Klein, Tuck, or Queer Theorists (such as Judith Butler)? What are the implications and consequences of the traditional philosophy narratives? How do these narratives create or disrupt systems and philosophies of intelligence or oppression? You must cite at least 3 sources from class and use at least 2 fallacies identified in chapters 11 and 12 of CGCT to show how Klein, Tuck, or Queer Theory disrupted dominant epistemological narratives. |
| Midterm Essay, 20%
Due, 3-11-22 |
During class this week, we read, discussed, and reviewed Sylvia Wynter’s “Forum N.H.I. Knowledge for the 21st Century” and The Combahee River Collective’s (the CRC) “A Black Feminist Statement.” You’ve had an opportunity to gain familiarity with the works via homework assignments and in-class discussion. Ideally, you have formed opinions about the worldviews and positions espoused by both Wynters and The CRC. After reading Wynter’s work, do you agree or disagree with the following statement: “Do educational spaces reproduce Euro-American cultural experiences as well as social and political preferences?” Regardless of your response, you need to support your answer with textual evidence and outside information, such as anecdotal evidence or empirical research.
If you don’t feel confident in attempting to grapple with the Wynter’s work, or just did not enjoy or show interest in the work, then feel free to address any one of the following questions in response to the CRC work: –How has capitalism, imperialism, or the patriarchy harmed you, your connection with your identity, and/or your worldviews? –How can either gender equity, racial equity, exist, even if only in the abstract (imagined) world? –Why does Black feminism scare almost everyone, including many Black women? –What are the values of Black feminists, why are they espoused and others rejected (provide examples), how does it (Black Feminism) build bridges, and how is it inclusive, and why does the inclusivity matter? In your response, define what equity means to you with direct reference to the article. In other words, you are aligning with or divorcing from the equity ideas espoused by the CRC. Regardless of which question you choose to respond to, you need to support your answer with textual evidence and outside information, such as anecdotal evidence or empirical research. Please feel free to take this 2-5 page paper in any direction that you feel is academically appropriate. Also, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, comments, or concerns. |
| College activity write-up or six (6) page paper, 10%
Due, 5-6-22 |
Your task is to write a 2-3 page, double spaced essay that respectfully identifies, details, explains, and critiques any event that digitally takes place on campus. Mind you, the operative word in that last sentence is respectfully. In regards to events that you can attend, you’re more than welcome to attend any DCC sponsored academic or student-related digital event: Hispanic Heritage Month Event, Student Government Meeting, any club meeting, a student activities presenter (such as the hypnotist who is coming this week or the game of bingo that will be taking place one night), the talent show, intramural, the BIG READ, EOP/CSTEP/TRIO event, or any other event that you can think of. If you’re not sure if the event will be acceptable, please feel free to contact me, and I will let you know my professional opinion. Here are some questions you may want to address: What is the event, who sponsored it, how was the event, what message was conveyed, what did you take away from the event, how could the event be better or more well attended, or …? |
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Final exam, 20% Due, 5-6-22 |
Write a 5-page essay where you choose any song or album you like and frame an argument through a critical theory lens to reveal your critical thinking skills. You must cite both the texts you’ve been exposed to in class and the song or album you’ve chosen. Please feel free to use logical fallacies, no more than 3, in rationalizing as to why your piece of art is operationalized as X, or is a vehicle for X, or is an act of resistance against X, or is a contemporary musical representation of X ideology or concept that we’ve been exposed to in class. Here are some concrete examples to help get you thinking: NAS’ Illmatic as an urban musical act of resistance that challenges and disrupts societies constructions of HOPE and SUCCESS (the American Dream); Cardi B’s, “WAP” as a lyrical representation of anti-patriarchy manifesto and creation of WAP Wave Feminism; Lauryn Hill’s, Miseducation of Lauryn Hill as a model of and for Black feminist thought and practice; and Taylor Swift’s, “Shake it Off” as either a contemporary model of cultural appropriation or cultural appreciation. |
| Homework, 10%
Due, weekly |
Your homework is to submit your Discussion Question response in the Blackboard Collaborate Dropbox in Discussion Questions. |
Participation, 10%
Due, weekly Provide active participation in class, or find non-traditional ways to contribute to the
collective class experience.
