The aim of the course is to examine a phenomenon that critical race theorists have named "white ignorance" and identified as one of the factors that stabilise systems of racialised inequalities operative both in present-day and historical societies of the modern period. The course will start with presentation of the most important theories that conceptualise white domination from the perspective of social sciences, philosophy and cultural studies. However, our main interest will focus on cognitive and epistemological dimensions of this domination as well as societal mechanisms that link power relations with the processes of knowledge (and "unknowledge") production. During the classes we will analyse selected instances of historical events and experiences, both individual and collective, that have become objects of such "unknowledge", and examine political as well as psychological stakes involved in its creation and perpetuation. The course will conclude with discussion on the conditions of prospective overcoming of "white ignorance" and with posing a question regarding adequate forms of knowledge (as well as standards of knowledge production) that could replace it.
- Prowadząca: Prof. Monika Bobako