Non-Western Ways of Knowing and Thinking

In western ways of knowing and thinking, categories are often in binary opposition to each other.  One category is constructed as the contrary of the other, suggesting an irreducible dichotomy between them.  Examples include male/female, rational/irrational, or hard versus soft science.  An alternative view would focus on differences, not dichotomies. In this faculty learning community we will explore non-western ways of knowing.  As scholars and faculty advisors we often view knowledge as the application of empirical information to a theoretical framework.  We rely exclusively on western philosophies and systems of thought. Yet sometimes we conduct research in/on/with non-western cultures (in North/South America, Asia and Africa) or advise students of those cultures.  This FLC offers participants interested in sharing ways of knowing and thinking beyond familiar paradigms an opportunity for conversation about academic texts, oral tales, films, discussion with guests, and writing about what we are learning.

The FLC will be co-facilitated by Michelle Commeyras and Karim Traore.  Michelle held a Fulbright lecture position at the University of Botswana and continues to visit and collaborate with African students and colleagues.  Born in Burkina Faso, Karim teaches courses on African Oral Literature and African Cinema.

Michelle Commeyras, Language and Literacy Education
Email: pulane@uga.edu
Phone: 542-4621

Dr. Karim Traore, Comparative Literature
Email: ktraore@uga.edu
Phone: 542-8123
542-8123

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This page last updated on February 22, 2008.