White ignorance. Epistemology of race and domination 23-PPG-23Z03
The aim of the course is to examine a phenomenon that critical race theorists have named "white ignorance" and identified as one of the factors that stabilise systems of racialised inequalities operative both in present-day and historical societies of the modern period. The course will start with presentation of the most important theories that conceptualise white domination from the perspective of social sciences, philosophy and cultural studies. However, our main interest will focus on cognitive and epistemological dimensions of this domination as well as societal mechanisms that link power relations with the processes of knowledge (and "unknowledge") production. During the classes we will analyse selected instances of historical events and experiences, both individual and collective, that have become objects of such "unknowledge", and examine political as well as psychological stakes involved in its creation and perpetuation. The course will conclude with discussion on the conditions of prospective overcoming of "white ignorance" and with posing a question regarding adequate forms of knowledge (as well as standards of knowledge production) that could replace it.
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Term 2023/SZ:
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Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
After completing the course and the confirmation of the achievement of the learning outcomes (EU) student:
is familiar with the key concepts of the course: critical race theory, whiteness, race, white supremacy, white ignorance, epistemology
is familiar with most important theories of white domination (developed in social sciences, philosophy and cultural studies)
is familiar with selected instances of historical events and individual as well as collective experiences that became an object of white ignorance
is able to explain connections between: 1. cognition/ epistemology/ knowledge production, and 2. power relations/ racialised social hierarchies
is able to identify and analyse present day instances of contestation and overcoming of white "unknowledge"
Assessment criteria
Assessment criteria according to the scale used in UAM:
very good (bdb; 5.0): Very good knowledge of the literature discussed during the course, presentation of written work showing deep understanding of the problems covered by the course, ability to make creative use of the acquired knowledge, active participation in classes
good plus (+db; 4,5): Good knowledge of the literature discussed during the course, presentation of written work showing good understanding of the problems covered by the course, active participation in classes
good (db; 4,0): Good knowledge of the literature and problems discussed during the classes, presentation of written work meeting formal and content-related requirements, active participation in the classes
sufficient plus (+dst; 3,5): basic knowledge of the literature discussed during the classes, presentation of a written work showing sufficient understanding of the problems covered by the course, attendance at classes
sufficient (dst; 3,0): Knowledge of most of the literature discussed during the classes, presentation of written work showing partial or superficial understanding of the course issues, attendance at classes
Insufficient (ndst; 2.0): Insufficient attendance at classes, unfamiliarity with the literature and problems discussed during the course, failure to present the required written work or presentation of the work of insufficient quality
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: