Perspectives on Knowing: Gender, Race, and Beyond

Catalog description

This course explores how social identities—such as race, gender, class, ability, and more— shape our understanding of knowledge and influence who is considered a credible knower. This course examines key themes in social epistemology, including standpoint theory, epistemic injustice, testimony, intersectionality, and feminist epistemology. Students will critically analyze how knowledge is produced and validated within social structures, how power relations shape identity formation, and how personal biases impact interactions within diverse communities. By reflecting on their own experiences and engaging with contemporary issues, students will develop a deeper understanding of the ethical and social dimensions of knowing in an interconnected world. This course fulfills the "Identities in Context" requirement in the SLU Core and encourages students to think critically about the relationships between identity, power, and knowledge.