This senior seminar explores the theory and practice of black feminism as an academic and political project in national and transnational contexts.  The course will take a dynamic, interdisciplinary approach to the seminar topic by considering black feminist scholarship in history, political science, literature, popular culture, legal theory and religious studies as well as highlighting the practices and insights of feminist activism.  We will ask: What were the historical conditions of possibility for the emergence of black feminism in the U.S. academy?  What social, political, and intellectual problems are contemporary black feminists working to address? What is the nature of the relationship between Africana Studies and feminist activism?  Readings will include work by bell hooks, Angela Davis, Joy James, Patricia Hill Collins, Hortense Spillers, Michael Awkward, Toni Cade Bambara, and others.

Format: Discussion/seminar

Requirements: Students will write three 4-page essays and present to partners for critique.  A final research project (submitted as a 15-page paper) will also be required.

Prerequisite: A 200- or 300-level Africana Studies or Women's and Gender Studies course or permission from instructor.