GAH 1037 Philosophy of the Other
This course is a freshman seminar concentrating on issues in diversity through the lens of philosophy. The course will explore such questions as: What does it mean to view a person as "other" than oneself? How do I construct my identity off of the sense I have of the other? How am I taught and encouraged to engage in such constructions? How does otherness (alterity) become connected to normative judgements? How, on that basis, do we structure relations of power? What are the different social forms that those relations of power take? What is the relationship between power and authority (knowledge)?
In this context, we will examine some or all the following structures of social otherness (understanding that in this we do not exhaust the topic but only begin the discussion): race, culture and nationality - language and practice, sex and gender - identities and preferences, age, class, ability - physical and psychical.
The course has at least a four-fold mission - Awareness, critique, empathy, and celebration. Thus the course aims 1) to produce students with a greatly heightened awareness regarding the ways in which they construct their own identities off of the construction of the identities of his or her "others" 2) to aid students in questioning the value of such constructions - whether there are more or less healthy forms of such construction 3) to help students to understand the impact of social construction on the other and 4) to help students to appreciate, learn from, and celebrate difference as the ground of a rich and fulfilling life.
The course will be structured as a weave of the philosophical/sociological articles on otherness and more concrete examinations of the various topics. The more concrete examinations will take a multitude of forms: a novel, video material, films, exercises, guest speakers and, importantly, the course will incorporate a service learning component which will require students to perform service in a setting in which they will encounter and engage the other.
Finally, because the
course is a freshman seminar, students will work on developing the
skills needed for a successful college career: solid skills in verbal
and written expression, critical thinking, and the ability to
rationally and thoroughly defend one's positions and views.
Course
Syllabus is available for students on Web CT
Note:
This course uses Web CT
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