AMER0088 The Caribbean Radical Tradition, 1791-2020: Introduction to Black Intellectual History

The history of ideas underpinning and inspiring black activism has often been distilled down to individual, exceptional, black, male intellectuals (eg Fanon, Garvey, James). Challenging the assumption of the exceptionalism and masculinity of the Caribbean intellectual by situating renowned thinkers within black intellectual history, this module introduces students to some of the writings of Caribbean thinkers of the past 250 years. Highlighting black anti-enslavement writings, anti-imperialists, nation-builders, and black feminists the course introduces students to a range of Caribbean thinkers thematically and chronologically, enabling engagement with and understanding of the genealogy, historical context, and influence of radical Caribbean thought.

Assessment:

20% Primary source analysis (1000 words)

80% Essay (2000 words)