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Call for Applications Theme: African Philosophy in Global Times Subtitle: Knowledge and Culture Type: Winter School Institution: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Location: Online Date: 11.–15.1.2020 Deadline: 1.11.2020 __________________________________________________ We live in a time of increasing contact between different cultures. The opportunities, as well as the problems this brings are traceable in all academic disciplines, but especially in the social sciences and in the humanities. This course aims to guide you to a deeper reflection on the historical conditions of intercultural encounters, the philosophical conditions of intercultural dialogue, and the framework of post-coloniality that determines the need to politically negotiate the conditions of such a dialogue - all from an African perspective. Course content While internationally the field of philosophy is still mostly dominated by Euro-American traditions of thought, diversification and intercultural dialogue are gaining steam rapidly. The voice of African philosophers is increasingly heard in global philosophical discussions, and this course will introduce you to some of their main texts and themes. African philosophy can be approached in many different ways – as a discussion on the nature of philosophy itself and what an African philosophy would be, and also as a focus on issues of global and current interests where historically and geographically African experiences will shed some light on the little-known facts in global philosophy. In this course, we will focus on the latter to better understand the world of today from an African perspective. As the present-day African states came into being less than a century ago, inheriting institutional structures and boundaries from a colonial age, African philosophers have spent much thought on questions of identity, culture, differences between knowledge systems, the relationships between language and understanding, and more issues that pertain to the postcolonial, multicultural and intercultural world we all live in. Their viewpoints and answers contain insights and points of reflection for all humankind. In the course, we will read texts from renowned philosophers such as Kwame Appiah, Paulin Hountondji, Henry Odera Oruka, and Kwasi Wiredu. Texts will focus on the relations between cultural identity and knowledge systems in the global post-colony. Written by and sometimes for Africans, the texts help to understand the dilemmas of the present times that are relevant to people from all over the world. This course is organised by the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam, but the guest lecturers include African-based philosophers – from Cameroon and Senegal. The Dutch lecturers are affiliated to both Dutch universities and those on the African continent, in Nigeria and South Africa. Learning Objectives At the end of the course you will: - Have a firm grip on key texts in African philosophy regarding knowledge and culture in our globalizing age. - Have improved your capability to critically read the relevant texts. - Have learned about intercultural dialogue as practiced with your peers and lecturers. - Have written a short essay on your own philosophical question regarding the course matter. Course days: 11-15 January 2021 Course level: Master, PhD candidates and professionals from all disciplines Coordinating lecturer: Dr Angela Roothaan Other lecturers: Dr Hady Ba, Dr Oumar Dia (Université Cheikh Anta Diop), Dr Pius Mosima (University of Bamenda), Dr Louise Müller (Leiden University) Forms of tuition: Online interactive lectures, text-reading seminars and self-study assignments. All our courses are taught online this year. Application Submit your application through our online application form: https://www.vu.nl/en/programmes/short/winter-school/how-to-apply/ Our application deadline is 1 November. For any further information please contact the VU winter school organizing team at: [email protected] Winter School website: https://www.vu.nl/en/programmes/short/winter-school/courses/african-philosophy.aspx __________________________________________________ InterPhil List Administration: https://interphil.polylog.org InterPhil List Archive: https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ __________________________________________________
