Candide and Enlightenment: Is Voltaires Candide an argument for or against Enlightenment rationality? In other words, is human suffering seen as a necessary element in a rational universe, or does Candide critique the idea that the universe (reality/nature) and humanity are rational? What solutions to human suffering does Candide propose, if any? How do El Dorado and cultivating ones garden fit into your interpretation of Candides theme of rationality and suffering?
Colorism, Colonialism, and Enlightenment: How do colorism, racism, and Enlightenment values work together to create the conditions for European Colonialism? Utilize three of our semester readings to argue for or against the claim that Enlightenment thought supported many of the ideological, political, [scientific], and cultural foundations (Enlightenment and Empire 2) for European colonialism and empire.
Colorism, Double Consciousness, and Hybridity: How do the writers or characters from our semester readings experience and struggle with Postcolonial Identity/colonized consciousness? See Tysons Postcolonial Criticism for the relevant definitions. What do our readings reveal about the complexities and problematics of postcolonial identity? Utilize three of our semester readings to take a position on whether the double consciousness of a colonial subject can be overcome by embracing cultural hybridity, or are the psychological effects of colonialism irreversible?
Student Proposal: If you have a specific topic related to the theme of Enlightenment, Colonialism, and Postcolonialism that does not fit the prompts described above, you can propose a paper topic to me via Canvas Inbox. Depending on which readings you choose, you will need to use 1-3 texts from our semester modules on Enlightenment, Colonialism, and Postcolonialism.
