Courses

Black Existentialist Thought

In traditional existentialism, the unspoken presumption of whiteness has often been questioned by Black scholars. To this end, philosophers and activists alike have challenged notions of universality within those discourses, considering instead what it would mean to unpack and better understand existence through the lens of Black experience(s). What role does race play in traditional existential theory? How might critical race theory help us better understand existence as “Black” people? And how do gender and race, among so many possible intersections, influence what it means to be Black-in-the-world? Through varied readings, small group and full class discussions, course reflections, traditional essays and group presentations, this course will apply a critical race lens to existential thought to explore the scholarship of Black thinkers whose work has helped to expand our critical understanding of existence, our purpose, and life’s meaning in a world that often questions our humanity solely based on how our bodies are raced. Recognizing that discussions of Blackness in the Canadian context are often overlooked, even in global, pan-African movements, course readings, presentations, and assignments will culminate in our attempt to better understand Blackness in the Canadian context.