PHIL 401 A Autumn 2021 | Department of Philosophy

Autumn 2021

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Meeting:

TTh 12:30pm - 2:20pm / SAV 130

SLN:

20146

Section Type:

Lecture

Instructor:

José Jorge Mendoza

TOPIC: PHILOSOPHY OF RACE

Syllabus Description (from Canvas):

Course Description

This course is structured around the metaphysical, ontological, and epistemological issues that are generated by our concepts of race and racism. The kinds of questions we will explore in the first part of the course include: What is race? Do races exist? If races exist, in what sense are they real? What would be necessary for races to be “scientifically objective” entities? What does it mean to call them “social constructions”? In the second half of the course, we will apply what we learned in the first half and address questions such as: What is racism? What sorts of things can be racist (e.g., persons, acts, beliefs, feelings, places, or institutions)? Is there such as thing as “unintentional” racism? What does it mean to say that racism is “structural” or “institutional”? Is it better to define racism in a narrow or broad sense? Is racism an ideology or a vice?

Meeting Times

This class will meet in-person Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:30-2:20pm, in Savery Hall 130

University of Washington COVID-19 Face Covering Policy:In order to ensure the health and safety of the UW campus community and the public, face coverings are required to be worn on campus and are recommended to be worn whenever you are not able to social distance. This requirement is in accordance with federal and state workplace safety requirements and with local public health directives. This policy is in effect until otherwise communicated. For the purposes of this policy, face covering means any cloth face covering, such as face mask, bandana or scarf, that covers the nose and mouth, and ties around the ears, or the back of the head. It must be secured under the chin and fit snugly against the sides of the face. This policy applies to all University personnel, students, and visitors at any University location. Also students are NOT allowed to eat or drink, except for small sips of a liquid, in the classroom.

Office Hours

Office hours will be held Tuesday and Thursday, 2:30-3:30pm, in Savery Hall 385

Readings for the Course

All readings will be available online. So, there are no books to buy for this course.

Course Grading Scale

(roughly each 1% increment between grades is equivalent to 0.1)

A 95% = 4.0

B 85% = 3.0

C 75% = 2.0

D 65% = 1.0

Assignment Guidelines for Undergraduates

1. Reading Quizzes (30% of course grade or 1.2 of the 4.0 total)

Each quiz will consist of about 5-20, mostly multiple-choice, questions. There is no time limit and the questions chronologically follow the reading. You are therefore strongly encouraged to take the quiz as you complete the readings. Quizzes will be available for only 14 days. So, do not fall too far behind and keep in mind there is no way to make up the quizzes once the quizzes are closed.

2. Short Writing assignments (30% of course grade or 1.2 of the 4.0 total)

There will be three short writing assignments (about 1,000 words in length) throughout the term.

3. Class participation (10% of course grade or 0.4 of the 4.0 total)

Attendance is required for this class but not sufficient for participation.

4. Final Paper (30% of course grade or 1.0 of the 4.0 total)

This assignment should take no less than 6 pages to complete, but it should also be no longer than 12 pages. The format for this paper is as follows: double-spaced, 12-point font, in Times New Roman or something similar, and margins should be at least one inch wide but no more than 1.25 inches wide. Citations should follow either APA, MLA, or Chicago style. Papers should be turned in through Canvas and NOT by email.

Assignment Guidelines for Graduate Students

Term Paper

No less than 10 pages, but be no longer than 25 pages.

Please meet with instructor about a topic by week 9.

Course Reading Schedule:

Week One (Sept 30th): The Story of Race