CSP 22 Identity Politics and Intersectionality: Who am/are I/we in 2020?
This course will examine various texts from different genres including popular literature, digital media, and scholarly essays, which seek to theorize the importance of standpoint and location as a way of forming political alliances along the intersections of gender, race and class. Long established arguments in support of identity and intersectionality have advanced critical examination of the varying systemic inequities marginalized groups experience, however, in 2020 we see a new identity politics rooted in whiteness and seemingly fueled by notions of white supremacy. Questions will be asked about the changing face of identity politics. Are we in a post-identity politics age? Or as some scholars contend does identity politics distract us from issues such as the growing income gap between the rich and everyone else? Has intersectionality been redefined to the point of irrelevance? What identity groups should be encouraged or discouraged, and what actions based on identity can aid or impede democratic justice? Students will engage in discussion, critical reading, and written analysis introducing vigorous academic discourse as essential to the first-year college experience.
Prerequisite
Open only to first year frosh