Core Themes and Debates in African Philosophy

Key information

Start date: 23 September 2024
End date: 13 December 2024
Duration: Term 1
Module code: 15PAFH008
FHEQ Level: 7
Credits: 15
Department: Department of Religions and Philosophies

Module overview

Prerequisites

Students wishing to take the this module as their major option on a programme of study are strongly advised to also take the course 'Afrophone Philosophies' 15PAFH009 . This module can be taken on its own as a minor.

On the following programmes this module may only be taken as a minor:

MA History (Africa)
MA Historical Research
MA Comparative Literature

Objectives and learning outcomes of the module

At the end of the module, a student should be able to demonstrate…

having solid knowledge of African Philosophy, its history, main topics, and its relationship to other philosophical discourses in the world (European philosophies, Intercultural Philosophy, Latin American philosophy, etc.)
having developed the ability of fundamental reflection and critical analysis of central philosophical issues
having developed a critical approach to the underlying cultural presuppositions of philosophical discourses
being able to give conference papers
being able to produce high-quality academic writing
being able to give conference papers
being able to produce high-quality academic writing

Workload

Total of 10 weeks teaching with 2 hours classroom contact per week consisting of a 1 hour lecture and 1 hour tutorial.

Scope and syllabus

This module outlines the development of African Philosophy in the 20th century, a discourse that hinges on the following questions: does philosophy exist in Africa? What are the specific qualities that distinguish it from Western philosophy? We will survey the trends in African philosophical thought classified under the rubrics of "ethnophilosophy", "nationalist-ideological philosophy", "sage philosophy", and "professional philosophy", and discuss specific concepts with philosophical reference or resonance, such as race, time, but also development or art. Several classes will be devoted to influential contemporary philosophers, in particular Paulin Hountondji, Kwame Anthony Appiah, V.-Y. Mudimbe, Henry Odera Oruka, and Kwasi Wiredu.

Method of assessment

One, 2 500 word essay to be submitted on day 5, week 1 of the term after the term in which the course has run; one 20-minute oral presentation on the selected essay topics and the bibliographic sources for the essays (30%).