Varieties of American Philosophical Experience

In contrast to Pragmatist and European-oriented views of American philosophy, this course will emphasize the colonial dimensions and features of American philosophy that emerged out of the colonial soil of early America. Out of this soil sprang extended debates between Native Americans, Euro-Americans and African Americans over the legitimacy of the hegemony that Euro-Americans were establishing over increasing portions of North America. This course views American philosophy as having within it two opposing traditions that have been engaged in ongoing angry dialogues: the dominant or Prosperean tradition of Euro-Americans and the subjugated or Caliban tradition of Native Americans and African Americans.