Spinoza Seminar 2015
Instructor: Prof. Sally Haslanger (MIT)
Email: [email protected]
Office hours: Tuesdays 2:30-4 (except 4/28 and 5/19 - alternative times those weeks TBA)
Class hours: Wednesdays 3-6, April 1 - May 20, 2015
Social Justice and Ideology Critique
In spite of progress towards social justice the 20th century, our societies remain unjustly stratified. Racial and ethnic minorities, women, LGBTQ communities, non-citizens, the disabled, the poor, and others are categorically disadvantaged; and this disadvantage is systematic and durable. There is no doubt that both individuals and social institutions play a role in causing this stratification. But persistent inequality is not simply a result of the bad or unjust actions of individuals or badly structured institutions. Unjust social practices, social norms, and social meanings are an important part of the story. In this seminar we will consider how injustice is enacted in the social domain, how ideology plays a role, and what is required for ideology critique.
SCHEDULE AND READINGS
Additional supplementary readings may be added as we progress through the term
April 1 - Introductory Class
April 8 - Social Structures and Social Practices
Reading:
William H. Sewell, Jr. "A Theory of Structure: Duality, Agency and Transformation." (1992)
Supplementary Readings:
Judith Howard, “A Social Cognitive Conception of Social Structure.”
April 15 - Rules, Reasons, Identities
Reading:
John Rawls, "Two Concepts of Rules."
John Searle, "How We Create Desire-Independent Reason for Action." In Rationality in Action, Ch. 6, Section I, pp. 167-181; Section 5 "Combining all Five Elements", pp. 204-211.
Supplementary Readings:
Elizabeth Anderson, "Unstrapping the Straitjacket of 'Preference'."
On rule following: Richard Holton, "Meaning and Rule-Following"
April 22 - Individualism, Psychologism, and Materialism
Reading:
Brian Epstein, The Ant Trap, Ch. 6, 8.
Supplementary Readings:
Brian Epstein, The Ant Trap, Ch 1-5, 7, 9.
April 29: Workshop on Ideology
The workshop will be held from 1-6 in University Library’s Potgieterzaal (Singel 425). Come for as much of it as you want/can.
Readings: Haslanger "Racial Ideology....", Haslanger "Crop Tops...", Celikates, Anderson.
Rough schedule:
1-3pm: What is ideology?
3-3:30: coffee break
3:30-5: How can ideology be criticized?
5-6: Closing discussion
May 6 - Social Meaning
Reading:
Lawrence Lessig, "The Regulation of Social Meaning." (1995)
Supplementary Readings:
Lawrence Lessig, "Social Meaning and Social Norms."
Sally Haslanger, "Studying While Black: Trust, Opportunity, and Disrespect"
May 13 - Knowledge, Justice, and Social Movements
Paper proposals due by 3pm; Possible topics <-- <-- NB
Reading:
Elizabeth Anderson, "Social Movements, Experiments in Living, and Moral Progress: Case Studies from Britain's Abolition of Slavery."
Charles Tilly, "So What?" (Link to be added.)
Supplementary Readings:
Elizabeth Anderson, "Slavery, Freedom and Equality: The Epistemic Life of Groups."
David Graeber, "On the Phenomenology of Giant Puppets: broken windows, imaginary jars of urine, and the cosmological role of the police in American culture."
May 20 - Paper Drafts due by 3pm
May 29 - Papers Due by 3pm
Assessment
Instructor: Prof. Sally Haslanger (MIT)
Email: [email protected]
Office hours: Tuesdays 2:30-4 (except 4/28 and 5/19 - alternative times those weeks TBA)
Class hours: Wednesdays 3-6, April 1 - May 20, 2015
Social Justice and Ideology Critique
In spite of progress towards social justice the 20th century, our societies remain unjustly stratified. Racial and ethnic minorities, women, LGBTQ communities, non-citizens, the disabled, the poor, and others are categorically disadvantaged; and this disadvantage is systematic and durable. There is no doubt that both individuals and social institutions play a role in causing this stratification. But persistent inequality is not simply a result of the bad or unjust actions of individuals or badly structured institutions. Unjust social practices, social norms, and social meanings are an important part of the story. In this seminar we will consider how injustice is enacted in the social domain, how ideology plays a role, and what is required for ideology critique.
SCHEDULE AND READINGS
Additional supplementary readings may be added as we progress through the term
April 1 - Introductory Class
April 8 - Social Structures and Social Practices
Reading:
William H. Sewell, Jr. "A Theory of Structure: Duality, Agency and Transformation." (1992)
Supplementary Readings:
Judith Howard, “A Social Cognitive Conception of Social Structure.”
April 15 - Rules, Reasons, Identities
Reading:
John Rawls, "Two Concepts of Rules."
John Searle, "How We Create Desire-Independent Reason for Action." In Rationality in Action, Ch. 6, Section I, pp. 167-181; Section 5 "Combining all Five Elements", pp. 204-211.
Supplementary Readings:
Elizabeth Anderson, "Unstrapping the Straitjacket of 'Preference'."
On rule following: Richard Holton, "Meaning and Rule-Following"
April 22 - Individualism, Psychologism, and Materialism
Reading:
Brian Epstein, The Ant Trap, Ch. 6, 8.
Supplementary Readings:
Brian Epstein, The Ant Trap, Ch 1-5, 7, 9.
April 29: Workshop on Ideology
The workshop will be held from 1-6 in University Library’s Potgieterzaal (Singel 425). Come for as much of it as you want/can.
Readings: Haslanger "Racial Ideology....", Haslanger "Crop Tops...", Celikates, Anderson.
Rough schedule:
1-3pm: What is ideology?
3-3:30: coffee break
3:30-5: How can ideology be criticized?
5-6: Closing discussion
May 6 - Social Meaning
Reading:
Lawrence Lessig, "The Regulation of Social Meaning." (1995)
Supplementary Readings:
Lawrence Lessig, "Social Meaning and Social Norms."
Sally Haslanger, "Studying While Black: Trust, Opportunity, and Disrespect"
May 13 - Knowledge, Justice, and Social Movements
Paper proposals due by 3pm; Possible topics <-- <-- NB
Reading:
Elizabeth Anderson, "Social Movements, Experiments in Living, and Moral Progress: Case Studies from Britain's Abolition of Slavery."
Charles Tilly, "So What?" (Link to be added.)
Supplementary Readings:
Elizabeth Anderson, "Slavery, Freedom and Equality: The Epistemic Life of Groups."
David Graeber, "On the Phenomenology of Giant Puppets: broken windows, imaginary jars of urine, and the cosmological role of the police in American culture."
May 20 - Paper Drafts due by 3pm
May 29 - Papers Due by 3pm
Assessment
- Regular attendance and active participation (this includes: coming prepared for class and bringing readings to all sessions);
- Two discussion questions for 3 sessions (to be handed in via email at least 24h in advance);
- Final paper proposal (200 words) due May 13, 3pm.
- Draft/outline of final paper due on May 20, 3pm.
- Final paper (ca. 2000-2500 words) due May 29, 3pm.
- The grade will be based on the paper (80%); discussion questions, participation in class, and presentation of draft (20%).