PH 340 - Otherness and Marginalization: Levinas and the Alienated

The theme of this course will be: Marginalization of “Others.” There will be three main components to the course: (1) biographical and autobiographical accounts of people suffering from the effects of marginalization both in the United States and around the world; (2) examination of Emmanuel Levinas’ Philosophical Ethics based on “Otherness”; and (3) Service-Learning Work with individuals in the community who face possible marginalization. We will discuss four broad categories of marginalization: Marginalization of (1) a Race Group, (2) the Poor, (3) the Ill, and (4) the Elderly. In a global world, which requires frequent and meaningful contact with people, cultures, belief systems, etc. different from one’s own, this problem of marginalization and otherness demands attention and discussion from a variety of perspectives. We will consider political, economic, and social marginalization in both local and global contexts.

Prerequisites: One 200-level Philosophy course, or permission of the instructor.

Credits: 3