Race, Gender and Sexuality

Theories of race, gender and sexuality provide important resources both to address current philosophical issues and to understand the history of philosophy. As a result, these three issues, particularly the issues of race and gender, are an important components of many courses in philosophy and serve as central research interests among several faculty and many graduate students. The diversity of the theories themselves and our diversity of philosophical styles lead to a variety in approaches. One approach leads to course work and research that addresses race theory as it affects ideals of freedom on political theory paying particular attention to the work of theorists such as Charles Mills, Emmauel Eze, Anthony Appiah, Toni Morrison and W. E. B. Du Bois. Another approach focuses on the issue of "hybrid identities," especially as thematized in works of art, the politics of recognition, and the problems of cultural self-determination and nationalism. A third approach examines race theory as a crucial element in the development of American philosophy, focusing on the work of Du Bois, Alain Locke and Vine Deloria, Jr. as well as on the history of race theory in America. A fourth approach views race, gender, and sexuality as important components of developing an interactionist account of science, culture and identity working from a perspective informed by queer theory, phenomenology, and Foucault.

Courses:

Philosophy of Love and Sex
Philosophy and Feminism
Philosophy and Cultural Diversity
Philosophy of Art
African American Philosophy
Native American Philosophy
Seminars on Global Feminism, Queer Theory, and Race Theory

Faculty:

Barbara Andrew
John Lysaker
Scott Pratt
Naomi Zack

Links:

Ethnic Studies
Women's and Gender Studies Program