Race, Caste, and Slavery

Undergraduate / Graduate

Bourgeois modernity promised freedom, but the reproduction of hierarchies has been a constant feature of modern life. There has been a lot of talk recently about the similarities between "race" and "caste" as systems of hierarchy. Books and articles have been written aplenty, and films have been made. Nevertheless, the grounds for comparison and the meanings derived from such an endeavor remain vague at best. This seminar takes a historical approach to the problem of comparison. Instead of assuming pre-given hierarchies and seeking to define "caste" and "race" at the outset, we shall delve into the processes, practices, and historical conjunctures that make the production and reproduction of hierarchies possible. For instance, we will ask: Why and how did caste and race emerge as categories for organizing social life? Were there any similarities in these processes? How have the content and meaning of these terms changed over time and for what contextual reasons? What have been the practical effects of these systems of domination? Readings will include both primary and secondary sources; assignments consist of two take-home essay exams and a final paper. At the end of the class, students will be able to critically approach contemporary discourses around race and caste, and grasp what is at stake in analyzing these ascribed identities historically.