The Black Intellectual Tradition

The proposed class, The Black Intellectual Tradition, explores the rich and transformative contributions of Black thinkers to global intellectual history. From early abolitionist writings to contemporary analyses of race, identity, and power, this course examines the works of key figures such as W.E.B. Du Bois, Anna Julia Cooper, Frantz Fanon, Audre Lorde, Kimberly Crenshaw, and others. Through interdisciplinary approaches, students will engage with critical texts, speeches, and cultural artifacts to uncover how Black intellectuals have shaped debates on freedom, justice, and democracy. The course invites students to reflect on the ongoing relevance of these ideas in addressing contemporary social and political challenges.