Time Schedule:
Jeremy M. Fischer
PHIL 301
Seattle Campus
Philosophical topics at the intermediate level. Content varies each quarter, depending on instructor.
Class description
The purpose of this class is to make sense of and to critically examine moral and political ideals of colorblindness, and to see what practical implications these ideals might have in our non-ideal world. We will discuss all of the following (time permitting): topics in metaphysics (e.g., is race real? what is it?), philosophy of language (e.g., what do we mean by "race," and how do discover what we mean?), ethics (e.g., what is racism, and what makes it distinctively wrong? does "racism" cover all race-related moral transgressions?), and social philosophy (e.g., affirmative action; racial profiling; multiculturalism; integrationism). We will read work by (again, time permitting) Linda Alcoff, Elizabeth Anderson, Kwame Anthony Appiah, Lawrence Blum, Joshua Glasgow, Amy Gutmann, Sally Haslanger, Charles Mills, Adrian Piper, James Sterba , Charles Taylor, and others.
Previous coursework in philosophy or critical race theory is strongly recommended. Students must be willing to participate in a respectful and attentive manner in class discussions. There will be several short essay assignments, midterm and final exams, and occasional miscellaneous writing assignments (such as in-class quizzes or reading questions).
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Recommended preparation
Class assignments and grading
