<p>Lecture, three hours; discussion, one hour. Exploration of critical conjunctures in Black experience related to ongoing planetary ecological crisis. Study of ways in which colonial conquests exploited land, nature, and more-than-human worlds—as well as Black, poor, and indigenous people—in name of building imperial projects. Through this process, examination of how empire profoundly altered ecologies, social organization, and human-nature relationships and these historical transformations. Starting point of study is concept of ethno-class man or homo-economicus. Consideration of social differences—especially race, gender, and class—as central constructs of capitalism and imperialism that lead to natural resource extraction, labor exploitation, technoscientific knowledge, industrial development, and climate and ecological crises. Examination of political economy—and decolonial and political ecological perspectives on, and responses to—climate change. Study draws upon experiences, popular literature, and scholarship from Black communities in Africa, Caribbean, and Latin America. P/NP or letter grading.</p>

African American Studies

College of Letters and Science

AF AMER 117 - Ecologies of Empire, Liberation, and Resistance

Ecologies of Empire, Liberation, and Resistance

Critically examine social difference along racialized, gendered and class lines that influence socio-ecological justice and political economic outcomes in the African diaspora

Identify and put forward informed, and reasoned positions and proposals that address the intersections of class, race and gender and alternative social organization in the context of historical and ongoing socio-ecological disasters and injustices.

Describe key arguments and concepts underpinning the interconnections between the histories and contemporary views of imperialism to the planetary ecological crisis that disproportionately affects African diasporic communities.

Assess various policies and political economic structures and responses championed by or put in place by African diasporic communities and/or relevant organizations.

General Catalog

Ecologies of Empire, Liberation, and Resistance

AF AMER 117

4 units