Back
| Semester | spring semester 2020 |
| Course frequency | Every spring sem. |
| Lecturers | Ralph Weber (ralph.weber@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | Can we appropriately grasp “non-European experiences and facts” while making use of “European terms” or "European concepts"? Many would dismiss this approach, by pointing out that it directly leads us into the Eurocentric trap. But how can the notion of Eurocentrism be explained? Is it a (purely) conceptual issue? This course first provides a systematic overview of the problems attributed to Eurocentrism that various global debates (e.g. world systems theory, postcolonialism, decolonialism) have identified during past decades. We thereby learn to distinguish between different allegations of Eurocentrism, and to examine the respective validity of these allegations. In the next step, we go further by investigating the critiques of Eurocentrism themselves, and analyze their forcefulness within their political and conceptual contexts. We strive to evade a simplistic, dichotomous approach, for example by looking at Latin American criticism of the Latin American critique of Habermas’ “Eurocentrism”, or at the Chinese reception of Chinua Achebe’s criticism of Joseph Conrad’s “Eurocentric” oeuvre Heart of Darkness. The course will be held in English and specifically emphasizes argumentative and rhetorical textual strategies. It will be accompanied by weekly obligatory tutorials. |
| Learning objectives | - students learn to detect, conceptualize and assess different argumentative and rhetorical textual strategies in primary and secondary literature, - students learn to reflect critically on different understandings of Eurocentrism and know the methodological implications following from conceptual versus political arguments . - students learn about debates that are at the centre of intellectual life outside of Europe in various global settings. |
| Bibliography | All mandatory literature will be uploaded on ADAM. |
| Weblink | Europainstitut Basel |
| Admission requirements | Nur für Studierende des MA European Global Studies. Es wird empfohlen, bei den Vorlesungen anwesend zu sein. Die Teilnahme an den Übungen ist verpflichtend. |
| Course application | In addition to the lecture, students have to enrol separately on MoNA for the mandatory tutorials, which will be offered on Wednesday and Thursday beween 15h00 and 17h00, starting in the second week of the semester. 43314-02: Wednesday, 15h15-16h00 43314-03: Wednesday, 16h15-17h00 43314-04: Thursday, 15h15-16h00 43314-05: Thursday, 16h15-17h00 The size of the groups is limited to max. 15 people on a first come, first serve basis. |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|
No dates available. Please contact the lecturer.
| Modules |
Modul: Methoden der Gesellschaftswissenschaften (Master's Studies: European Global Studies) |
| Assessment format | record of achievement |
| Assessment details | Eine schriftliche Prüfung (90 min.) und Kurzaufgaben während des Semesters. |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: not required |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | 1-6 0,5 |
| Repeated registration | as often as necessary |
| Responsible faculty | University of Basel |
| Offered by | Europainstitut |