PHILOSOPHY OF RACE

Catalog description

Where does the concept of race come from? Where did the racial categories on the US census come from? How has the concept of race influenced scientific theories? Do empirical findings of genetic differences between racial groups show that races are biologically real? Why are racial categories used in medicine? Can all health disparities between races be explained by social factors? Is some particular concept of race necessary for political and social opposition to racism? The course will involve reading original articles and book extracts from a range of disciplines, including history, philosophy, and several sciences. These articles will be explained and discussed in class through a philosophical lens. The course aims to provide students with the philosophical tools and concepts to think about race and racism in a nuanced and reflective way.