Studies for Global Justice
Sean Guillory, Organizer
July 27th - Septermber 14th, 2004
7 sessions
Seminar Description
What is empire? What is imperialism? These terms pervade our current political discourse. Yet, their theorization has a long history that often left out of both progressive and mainstream discussions. This seminar is designed to introduce participants to some of the most influential theories of empire and imperialism since Karl Marx’s and Friedrich Engels’ writings in the mid-nineteenth century. In this seminar we will explore the ways intellectuals conceive of “empire” and “imperialism” as systems of exploitation, domination, governance, as well as the various forms of resistance to these forms since the Communist Manifesto. Particular to our study is how concepts of resistance inform how empire and imperialism are thought of. The questions central to this seminar are the following: What is the relationship of empire to the critical thought in the West? How do these various ways of looking at empire related? How are empire and capitalism intertwined? How has resistance to empire informed how it is written about? How does cultural, economics, and politics figure into the concept of empire and imperialism? How does looking at empire and imperialism from the standpoint of the colonized contribute to how they are thought about in the West? What can these various ways of looking at the concepts help us understand the practice of them today?
Methodology
Because this seminar focuses on how empire and imperialism are conceived theoretically, we will concentrate out efforts on understanding the arguments our readings put forward. We are not interested in defining which theory is correct or incorrect or which one best suits our present time. We will work form the understanding that all these readings have something to offer us. Only by carefully considering how each theorist constructs empire can we deduce what that “something’ is. Therefore, participants will be required to close readings of the texts. All discussions will be grounded in our readings. Participants will be expected to read 50-100 pages weekly. General discussion questions will be distributed for the following week to help participants focus their reading. Participants are highly encouraged to bring their questions for general discussion with the group. Volunteers will also be asked to give a 10 minute presentation on the week’s reading. The presentation should concentrate on outlining the general argument of the text, thoughts and reflections on what passages or arguments are striking, as well as offer some criticisms.