Black Feminism

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

This course provides an examination of black feminist theory and thought from the nineteenth century to the present. Black feminism emerged in academic contexts alongside third wave feminism in the late-twentieth century as a corrective to the Euro-centric and middle class tendencies of western feminism. The emergence of black feminism in university contexts, however, does not suggest black feminist theory began in the 1970s. Conversely as we will learn, black feminism dates back at least to the nineteenth century and consists of a robust and persistent critique of the limits of western democracy, the conscripts of normative gender and sexuality, and the ruses of power. We will examine how black feminism emerges in relationship to activist traditions by developing unique lines of inquiry and modes of evidence. We will conduct interpretative analysis of the work and thought that leading black women writers produced in academic and public contexts. We will examine the basic principles and practices of black feminism and consider the major issues that the theory and practices addresses as a means to resist patriarchal social structures. The course is designed to introduce students to the theoretical and activist contributions of black feminists working in a variety of fields as well as historical and social contexts. The course will also depend on students sharing examples of feminism in action that demonstrate the oscillation between theory and practice at the heart of black feminism.