Seminar Description

Historical studies about the notion of “race” and the processes of racialization have increased phenomenally in every field and on various topics. But how should we define race? Should we aim for a transhistorical definition or adapt our understanding of race to historical and social contexts, building on local emic categories?  
What are the historical roots of racial thinking and racism? 19th-century scientific racist theories? The beginning of the colonial conquests in 1492? The debate over limpieza de sangre in Catholic early modern Spain? Should we even look for the historical origins of race and racism?
We will explore different theoretical approaches to race and modernity: the decolonial theory, afropessimism, the broad concept of “racial capitalism”, and Critical Race Theory. 
We will pay attention to historical processes of racialization inside and outside of the Western colonial world, by looking at historical cases in the Muslim world before, during, and after the colonial era. 

Preparation

It is indeed mandatory to read the assigned texts each week. You will need to be careful about the various dimensions of these texts. 
You need to identify the author’s central arguments and how these arguments are related to broader historical concerns and debates. 
It is also crucial to analyze how the author shapes her/his argument, and according to which primary and secondary sources. 

A brief presentation of the readings by one of the participants in the seminar will introduce each weekly meeting.