This module is not currently running in the selected year. The information shown below is for the academic year that the module was last running in, prior to the year selected.

2015/16 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

SLSP5235M 'Race', Identity and Culture in the Black Atlantic

30 creditsClass Size: 12

Module manager: Dr Shirley Anne Tate
Email: s.a.tate@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2015/16

Module replaces

SLSP5118M Race, Gender and Migration

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module focuses on 'race', identity and culture in the Black Atlantic diaspora centring on the Black body in slavery, colonialism, independence and de-colonial thought as a site of political, aesthetic and philosophical contestation. It focuses on the contribution by intellectuals and political activists to this debate in the Caribbean (Fanon's colonial psyche and Cesaire's negritude, Rastafarianism and Garvey's Back to Africa Movement, post- modern Blackness, Caribbean feminisms), Brazil (Candomblé, Afro- aesthetics, blocos afro), USA (Black Nationalism, Black Power, Black feminism) and the UK (the making of Black as a political colour, hyphenated identities, hybridity, African and Asian descent feminism). These specific sites have been chosen not only because of their centrality in Black Atlantic diasporic philosophical thought and cultural production but also because they demonstrate how such thought and cultural production have been included or excluded in how nations imagine themselves: Jamaica as 'Black de-colonializing' state, Brazil as 'a racial democracy', the USA as 'post-race’'and the UK as 'tolerant multi-cultural'.

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able to:

- identify key theoretical concepts in the study of 'race', culture and identity in the Black Atlantic diaspora.
- understand the critical political and philosophical debates surrounding the Black body in slavery, colonialism and de-colonialization across the Black Atlantic- Review and critically appraise writing on 'race', culture and identity in the Black Atlantic diaspora.
- synthesise information and knowledge on Black philosophy and politics from a range of disciplinary and interdisciplinary perspectives.
- use the above to produce a critical essay which addresses key arguments and debates within the study of ‘race’, culture and identity in the Black Atlantic.

This module also provides the opportunity to engage with current debates in this field through involvement in CERS weekly seminars and also attendance at WUN White Spaces Network masterclasses.

Learning outcomes
During the course of the module students will also have the opportunity to:

- engage with a range of disciplinary and interdisciplinary viewpoints on 'race', culture and identity in the Black Atlantic.
- evaluate a range of methodologies, philosophies and approaches deployed in the study of ‘race’, culture and identity.
- develop an awareness of a range of theoretical perspectives and approaches to support further research in their specialist area.
- develop knowledge on key contemporary issues and contestation pertinent to the interdisciplinary study of 'race', culture and identity in different Black Atlantic sites.

Syllabus

Introduction
The intersections of 'race', culture and identity- the Black body in slavery, freedom, colonialism, postcolonialism and decolonialization
Martinique - the colonial psyche, Negritude and re-positioning Blackness in colonial times
Jamaica - Rastafarianism, Back to Africa, decolonization, post-modern Blackness, Caribbean feminisms
Case study - Blackness, beauty pageants and national racial identity in a Black de-colonizing state
Brazil - a call to Mama Africa, blocos afro, afro-aesthetics and Candomblé
Case study - Afro-descent politics and positioning Blackness in a racial democracy
USA - Black Nationalism, Black Power and Black Feminism
Case study - the impact of Caribbean intellectuals on Black Nationalism in the USA
The UK - Black as a political colour, hyphenated identities, diaspora connections, feminist activism
Case study - Black feminist activism and the demise of OWAAD

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	11	1.00	11.00
Seminar	2	2.00	4.00
Seminar	11	1.50	16.50
Tutorial	11	1.00	11.00
Private study hours			257.50
Total Contact hours			42.50
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			300.00

Private study

Students will be expected to develop wider Bibliographies on specific areas of interest for use in their assignments 128 hours, to read in preparation for each lecture 75 hours, to do a presentation to the tutorial on the readings 75 hours.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Student progress will be monitored through participation in discussion, attendance at tutorials and lectures.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	6,000 words	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 28/03/2014

Disclaimer

Browse Other Catalogues

• Undergraduate module catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
• Undergraduate programme catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team.PROD