1) This course introduces classical texts since the 16th Century that have shaped Western thinking. The focus of our inquiry will be systems of inequality and modes of domination along the lines of race, class, and to a lesser extent gender. How have the various modes of domination been justified or rejected by philosophers, scientists, and fiction writers? Debates about in/equality have been central to the development of modernity and examining these historical debates will help us to recognize the origins and history of what we often take as "common sense" knowledge. This literature will help us to answer a number of important questions. When did the race concept emerge? What is the meaning of the references to the "civilized" versus "savage"? What role did the stories about native peoples in the New World play in shaping the complex of ideas that we call the "Enlightenment"? How was slavery and colonization justified when most would agree that "all men are created equal"? What is the relationship between property and liberty? Why, in most societies, are a small number of people exploiting or controlling a large number of others? Why are women in so many societies subordinate to men? Last but not least, what can we learn from "the other," the disenfranchised, subordinated, or colonized about the dominant?
2) Another objective of this course is to develop critical thinking skills, as well as reading, writing and oral skills. Frequent writing assignments are a central element of this course. Peer reviews and revising will help you in this process. Expressing one's thoughts precisely is a life-long task that few master. However, recognizing the importance of it and striving to attain it will be our concern in this course. Be assured that many people, even professional writers, feel that writing is an agonizing task. Therefore, the emphasis is on improving and/or developing those skills.