Anthropology has long benefited from the theoretical and methodological contributions of socially marginalized scholars. For instance, Black feminist scholars have been pivotal in formulating pathbreaking theories like intersectionality and standpoint theory and in forwarding critical ethnographic methods such as autoethnography, oral history, community-based research, dance ethnography, and ethnographic film. Yet, the contributions of Black feminist anthropologists to the discipline often go uncited or underrecognized. In an intentional embrace of inclusivity, this seminar centers on the scholarly innovations of self-identified Black feminist anthropologists-scholars who have helped push the discipline toward decoloniality, antiracism, and antisexism. The seminar finds grounding in Black feminist praxis, which calls for integrating theory and practice toward dismantling intersecting systems of oppression. Specifically, Black feminist praxis seeks to “illuminate the experiences of [Black] women and theorize from the materiality of their lives to broader issues of political economy, family, representation, and transformation” (Mullings 1997, xi). Throughout the course, students will read ethnographies and watch ethnographic films by Black feminist anthropologists, as well as “try on” the methods outlined in these written and visual texts. The seminar will also show students how to employ Black feminist ethnography in their own research.
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