AIIS 4300 - Indigenous Peoples and Decolonial Philosophies

(EC-LASP)

Fall. 3 credits. Letter grades only.

Co-meets with AIIS 6300.

T. Richardson.

Indigenous Peoples and De-Colonial Philosophies explores the formulations of de-colonization from multiple intellectual trajectories - namely the Fanonian, Latin American and Settler Colonial Studies orientations. The course pays particular attention to some of the central tenants elaborated across these traditions that provide for the philosophies of de-colonizing, placing them in critical conversation with American Indian and Indigenous scholarship. It will examine the differences and commonalities within and across these philosophies for de-colonization, with particular attention to how they describe relations to land and the political, socio-cultural practices for animating de-colonial present(s) and futures.

Outcome 1: Demonstrate a fluency in the philosophical formulations that justified/defended colonization - specifically a fluency in the political philosophies of/for dispossession, 2.) the socio-cultural formulations of settler colonialism. Likewise a fluency in the philosophic and theoretical elaborations on de-colonization, specifically 3.) the Indigenous, Fanonian and Latin Americanist positions, clarifying their common principles and diagnoses, differing aspirations and tensions.

Outcome 2: Develop enhanced interpretive abilities through formal presentations and writing assignments.

Outcome 3: Apply pedagogical skills in teaching course content by leading seminar topics.

Outcome 4: Employ sharpened interpretation and critical analysis skills through course writing assignments and structured editorial assistance to 1) concisely convey central argument(s) of texts, 2) make warrantable claims using relevant historical, philosophical, legal and material/empirical evidence, 3) clearly indicate one’s positionality in developing arguments.