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CS92PROD
Affective Sovereignties
CHUM 348
Spring 2012
Section: 01  
Crosslisting: ANTH 348, AMST 358

This course will explore the concept of sovereignty in relation to affect studies in colonial and decolonizing contexts between Western imperialism and indigenous societies. Tracing the origins of the term as a Western construction of the Christian supreme lawmaking authority who exercises divine right, the course will study how the concept has evolved from describing a singular supreme power over a body politic to a more porous term, given its changing meanings and deployments within indigenous communities living under neocolonial conditions. Indigenous sovereignties are distinctly different from the Western concept of sovereignty in that they are embodied and grounded in kin relationships to land, whereas Western constructions of sovereignty are predicated on the social contract model, a possessive investment in land, and individual rights. The course will explore these different forms of sovereignties and the role of affect in relation to governance, self-determination, nationalism, and democracy. What affect does each model of sovereignty produce? As Foucault argues, despite the modicum of democracy throughout the Western world, "we still have not cut off the head of the king." Hence, this course will feature theorists who envision an alternative to the juridical model of sovereignty and the sort of affective sovereignties that may result.

Essential Capabilities: Effective Citizenship, Intercultural Literacy
The course attends to affect across cultural difference as well as race, indigeneity, and gender, so intercultural literacy is key. Additionally, because the course is centered on questions of civic life and sovereignty, effective citizenship is the other essential capability to be focused on in the course.
Credit: 1 Gen Ed Area Dept: SBS CHUM
Course Format: SeminarGrading Mode: Graded
Level: UGRD Prerequisites: None
Fulfills a Major Requirement for: (AMST)
Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available

Last Updated on MAR-19-2024
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