Understanding Cultural Difference: What is Unique about the South?

 

Philosophy 94       January Interim

 

Course Description: Traditionally, philosophers define human nature in terms of universal characteristics such as rational capacities, desires, and physical attributes. The emphasis on universal characteristics has been a valuable resource for combating discrimination and defending human rights. However, some philosophers have argued recently that the traditional conceptions of human nature underplay individual and cultural differences. Given the growing appreciation of cultural diversity, is it possible to redefine human nature in a way that is sensitive to issues of cultural identity? How can we understand the manner in which the particular characteristics of the surrounding culture help to determine who we are? Since these issues are especially relevant in the South, we will use it as our primary example. With the help of recent work in philosophy and cultural studies, we will examine the issue of cultural difference with an eye toward the unique cultural identity of the southern United States.

 

Texts:  1. Joseph Conrad. Heart of Darkness. New York: Dover, 1990.

2. W.E.B. Du Bois. The Souls of Black Folk. New York: Dover, 1994.

3. William Faulkner. As I Lay Dying. New York: Vintage, 1990.

4. Rudyard Kipling. Gunga Din and Other Favorite Poems. New York: Dover, 1990.

5. Toni Morrison. The Bluest Eye. New York: Penguin, 1993.

6. V.S. Naipaul. The Enigma of Arrival. New York: Vintage, 1987.

            7. V.S. Naipaul. A Turn in the South. New York: Knopf, 1989.

            8. John Shelton Reed. My Tears Spoiled My Aim. San Diego: Harvest, 1994.

            9. Reading Packet (available in the Humanities Division Office, Phil-Science 101)

 

Grading:         Attendance and                                               

     Class Participation               25%                

                        Daily Quizzes                            25%                                        

                        Writing Assignments                 50%                                        

                       

A         93-100

A-        90-92

B+       87-89

B          83-86  

B-        80-82

C+       77-79

C         73-76  

C-        70-72

D+       67-69

D         60-66

F          0-60

 

1. Writing Assignments: A writing assignment will be due every Friday, starting the first full week of classes. The assignment will be a 3-5 page essay, pertaining to the topics discussed in the course. The final paper will be 10 pages long.  Students are required to work with the tutors in the Writing Center (Phil-Science 103, 226-4852) before turning in their assignments.

 

2. Class Participation and Daily Quizzes: Most of our class time will be spent in discussion, and each student’s participation is encouraged and expected. Informed participation requires a careful reading of assigned texts ahead of class. In order to encourage this, a short quiz on the reading assignment will be given at the beginning of every class. No make-ups will be allowed.

 

3. Attendance: Prompt and consistent attendance is expected, and is in your own interest because poor attendance and tardies will inevitably affect your other grades. Also, I weigh attendance heavily when giving final grades in borderline cases. Excessive absences will reduce your grade: To receive an ‘A’, you must have no more than 1.5 absences, for a ‘B’ no more than 3, and for a ‘C’ no more than 5. Tardies and leaving early will be counted toward your absences. I will accept valid reasons for missing class (e.g., a doctor’s note for a serious illness), but will only excuse one half of the absence. If you miss a class, I recommend that you make arrangements to copy the notes of another student.