Summary
Summary - POLS2006A (Pols2006)
- Course
- POLS2006A (POLS2006)
- Institution
- University Of The Witwatersrand (wits)
Summary - POLS2006A (Pols2006)
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Recap of Previous Weeks:Week 1: Enlightenment according to Kant and its relation to
modernity:
During this week, we delved into Immanuel Kant's perspective on
enlightenment, emphasising the importance of reason, autonomy, and
progress in shaping modern thought. We explored how Kant believed
enlightenment to be the liberation of mankind from self-imposed
immaturity, advocating for the use of reason to challenge authority and
traditional beliefs. Discussions also revolved around the implications of
Kant's ideas for societal progress and the development of modern
democratic principles.
Week 2: Contributions of the Scientific Revolution to the
discourse of modernity:
In week 2, we examined the profound impact of the Scientific Revolution
on shaping the modern worldview. We discussed how breakthroughs in
fields such as astronomy, physics, and biology revolutionised humanity's
understanding of the natural world. Through the works of influential
figures like Galileo, Newton, and Darwin, we explored how empirical
observation, experimentation, and the application of mathematical
principles laid the foundation for modern scientific inquiry. Moreover, we
analysed the implications of these advancements for challenging religious
dogma, fostering skepticism, and promoting the secularisation of society.
Week 3: Descartes's two meditations and the conceptualisation of
the modern subject:
During this week, our focus was on René Descartes's seminal work,
"Meditations on First Philosophy." We engaged in a detailed examination of
Descartes's method of radical doubt and his quest for indubitable
knowledge. Through the process of systematic doubt, we explored how
Descartes sought to establish a foundation of certainty upon which to
build his philosophical framework. Additionally, we analysed Descartes's
conception of the self as a thinking, doubting entity (cogito), and its
significance in shaping the modern understanding of subjectivity,
consciousness, and the mind-body relationship.
,Week 4: Marxism, capitalism, and modernity with emphasis on
the Communist Manifesto and Silvia Federici's arguments in
"Caliban and the Witch: Women, the Body and Primitive
Accumulation":
In this week, we delved into Marxist theory and its critique of capitalism
within the context of modernity. We closely examined the key ideas
presented in the Communist Manifesto, including the dialectical
relationship between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat, the exploitation
of labor, and the inevitability of class struggle. Furthermore, we explored
Silvia Federici's insights into the intersection of capitalism, patriarchy, and
the control of bodies, as outlined in "Caliban and the Witch." Through
Federici's analysis, we discussed the role of gendered oppression,
colonialism, and resistance in shaping modern power dynamics and
capitalist accumulation.
Week 5 and 6:
In this week we embarked on a journey to explore Giannofranco's "Images
of a Society" and its significance within the discourse of modernity. As we
delved into this text, we uncovered how Giannofranco's observations shed
light on the intricate web of societal dynamics, power structures, and
ideological shifts that characterize modernity. Giannofranco's work offers a
nuanced exploration of societal transformations, interrogating the
intersections of power, identity, and ideology. Through meticulous
analysis, Giannofranco unveils the multifaceted nature of modernity,
exposing the tensions between tradition and progress, authority and
autonomy, and order and dissent. Drawing upon historical contexts and
contemporary examples, Giannofranco invites us to critically engage with
the images of society that shape our collective consciousness and
individual experiences.
Week 7 and 8:
In these weeks, we built on our exploration of modernity by delving into
the concept of governmentality through the lens of Michel Foucault. With a
focus on the darker side of Western modernity, as illuminated by Cornel
West's "Modernity and its Discontents" and Walter Mignolo's "The Darker
Side of Western Modernity," we aimed to deepen our understanding of the
complexities inherent in modern societal structures. This discussion
served as a continuation of our journey through the intellectual landscape
of modernity, where we examined foundational ideas and pivotal
moments shaping contemporary thought.
, Week 9 (this week):
This week, we shift our focus to CLR James and the Black Jacobins, with a
particular emphasis on Senghor’s article titled “Negritude” and Césaire’s
“Discourse on Colonialism.” Building on our exploration of modernity and
its complexities, we will examine how these texts contribute to our
understanding of power dynamics, colonialism, and resistance within the
context of Western modernity. Let us delve into the intellectual landscape
of post-colonial thought and engage in critical analysis of these seminal
works:
Highlight cruciality of knowing the key figures of resistance and their
influential works (introduction to the pragmatic movements that
emerged as a reaction to the ways modernity was achieved (the
role of ways of modernising such as for instance colonialism) and
conceptualised).
1. CLR James
CLR James was a writer, journalist, socialist theorist, historian, and
historian from Trinidad and Tobago. His full name was Cyril Lionel Robert
James. He was born in Trinidad and Tobago in 1901 and died in London,
England 1989. James's most well-known contributions to literature,
politics, and history are found in his seminal 1938 study "The Black
Jacobins: Toussaint L'Ouverture and the San Domingo Revolution." This
study focused on the Haitian Revolution and Toussaint L'Ouverture's
leadership of the slave uprising that led to Haiti's liberation from French
colonial control. James made a substantial contribution to the knowledge
of colonialism, slavery, and resistance in the Caribbean and beyond with
his writings on the Haitian Revolution. He was also a leading player in the
Pan-African movement and a strong supporter of workers' rights and
decolonization. James dedicated his life to using his writing and political
engagement to oppose racial discrimination, imperialism, and colonialism.
Summary of Black Jacobins:
"The Black Jacobins" examines the Haitian Revolution, focusing on the
leadership of Toussaint L'Ouverture, a former slave who rose to
prominence as a revolutionary leader. James portrays L'Ouverture as a key
figure in the struggle for Haitian independence, highlighting his strategic
brilliance and his ability to unite disparate groups in the fight against
French colonial rule. The book explores the social, economic, and political
conditions in colonial Saint-Domingue (modern-day Haiti) that led to the
outbreak of the revolution. It discusses the brutal conditions of slavery,
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