Overview of Week:
As we continue on with the course, please read the Introduction to Searching for Truths, which introduces this section of the course.
Nancy Heitzeg, in The Catherine Core Reader, writes about the connection between justice and this notion of searching for truth when she writes:
…Debates over justice are timeless and as varied as historical experience. Questions of justice
have been raised and disputed, asked, answered and re-asked by theologians, philosophers,
political theorists, economists, sociologists, biologists and grassroots activists as well. All of
the disciplines of the Liberal Arts and Sciences offer us either explicit or implicit perspectives
on justice, and offer us some guidance in discussing justice and action….Poets and artists,
philosophers and theologians, social and natural scientists have all explored the truths of
human society and the human experience in the socially constructed and perhaps, unjust, world.
(p. 116)
In this first week of this section, we will explore perspectives on racial justice by considering perspectives from critical studies of race, women’s studies, literature, art and natural science on racism.
We will address the following course outcomes this week:
Introduction to Learning Video
As we continue on with the course, please read the Introduction to Searching for Truths, which introduces this section of the course.
Nancy Heitzeg, in The Catherine Core Reader, writes about the connection between justice and this notion of searching for truth when she writes:
…Debates over justice are timeless and as varied as historical experience. Questions of justice
have been raised and disputed, asked, answered and re-asked by theologians, philosophers,
political theorists, economists, sociologists, biologists and grassroots activists as well. All of
the disciplines of the Liberal Arts and Sciences offer us either explicit or implicit perspectives
on justice, and offer us some guidance in discussing justice and action….Poets and artists,
philosophers and theologians, social and natural scientists have all explored the truths of
human society and the human experience in the socially constructed and perhaps, unjust, world.
(p. 116)
In this first week of this section, we will explore perspectives on racial justice by considering perspectives from critical studies of race, women’s studies, literature, art and natural science on racism.
We will address the following course outcomes this week:
- Apply an understanding of social justice, as an active member of the St. Catherine community of scholars, with a particular focus on dismantling systemic racism
- Apply excellent critical thinking, critical reading and scholarly writing skills (including excellence in sentence level fluency, organization, voice and audience)
Introduction to Learning Video
Critically Read, Watch and Annotate These Works:
Download this Critical Thinking Chart and type your responses in the document as you consider each perspective on racism:
-Bob Marley
-The Art of Gaman
-Transforming Hate
-Vincent Valdez: The Ku Klux Klan
-Mary Engelbreit
-Swoon
-Mahalia Jackson
-Kara Walker
-Mzwakhe Mbuli and Thuthukani Cele
-Anti-Racism Rap in Spanish
-Photo Essay: The Endless Call
-Tyler Childers
Write:
Download this Critical Thinking Chart and type your responses in the document as you consider each perspective on racism:
- From the perspective of Critical Studies of Race: Beverly Tatum on "Defining Racism"
- From the perspective of Literature: The poem of Audre Lorde entitled: Afterimages (If you don’t know the story of Emmett Till, please read about his short life before you read Audre Lorde’s poem) and Claudia Rankine, Citizen.
- From the perspective of Women’s Studies: Peggy McIntosh on "Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack"
- From the perspective of Civics: Peggy Noonan, "Three Good Men Talk About Race"
- From the perspective of the Arts (After reviewing several, choose one art form/artist to write about on your Critical Thinking Chart):
-Bob Marley
-The Art of Gaman
-Transforming Hate
-Vincent Valdez: The Ku Klux Klan
-Mary Engelbreit
-Swoon
-Mahalia Jackson
-Kara Walker
-Mzwakhe Mbuli and Thuthukani Cele
-Anti-Racism Rap in Spanish
-Photo Essay: The Endless Call
-Tyler Childers
- From the perspective of the Natural Sciences: Adam Rutherford on Why Racism is not Backed by Science. and Thomas Woodson on Science’s Role in Reducing U.S. Racial Tensions
- From the perspective of Economics: Heather C. McGhee, Racism Has a Cost For Everyone
- What distinct perspective is offered from each of the disciplines on racism?
- Which is the perspective that most resonates with you? Why?
- How might the active search for truths on racism connect to living a more meaningful life, serving our dear neighbor, and working toward community and justice?
- What questions about racism are unanswered by these perspectives? Are there other perspectives to be considered?
Write:
- The Critical Thinking Chart comparing the different perspectives on racism
- A 6-10 sentence response to Critical Thinking Question #2
- Your Critical Thinking Chart to Week 6
- Your 6-10 sentence response to Critical Thinking Question #2 on the discussion board and respond to two of your classmates with posts of 4-8 sentences.