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  • Textbook
  • © 2003

Race

Authors:

  • A broad historical overview, with interdisciplinary appeal, which considers the transformation of race from its inception to its current status
    Presents and explains a wide range of literary and theoretical concepts
    Uses influential works of literature to demonstrate key ideas and make theoretical abstractions accessible

Part of the book series: Transitions (TRANSs)

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Table of contents (6 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-ix
  2. Introduction

    • Brian Niro
    Pages 1-12
  3. Scientific Authority and Appropriation

    • Brian Niro
    Pages 92-126
  4. America

    • Brian Niro
    Pages 157-187
  5. Back Matter

    Pages 188-198

About this book

This dynamic study of the history of the idea of race traces the concept from its prehistory across 400 years to its current status. Brian Niro introduces key theorists and philosophers and a wide variety of literary and theoretical concepts, taking the central view that the notion of race is a fluid concept that has altered consistently since its inception in Western ideology.

Starting with Greek philosophy, Niro moves effortlessly through such diverse writers as Shakespeare, Voltaire, Kant, Mary Shelly, Darwin, Fanon and Achebe in order to explore the representation of race in its various guises. Many contemporary discussions of race are intricate and limited in their scope to current doctrine, but by using a series of close readings of often-studied texts, Niro helps to demonstrate key ideas and make complex theories understandable.

About the author

BRIAN NIRO is Visiting Assistant Professor at DePaul University, Chicago.

Bibliographic Information