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Course Description

Summary

In the United States, recent months have witnessed an upsurge in right-wing organizing and violence, culminating in an insurrection at the United States Capitol that sought to overturn the legitimate results of a democratic election. This is not a uniquely American problem. Across much of the globe, political parties organized around hyper-nationalism have gained steam, in some cases mobilized through charismatic leaders wrapping their hateful politics in faux-populist rhetoric. And yet, the term “fascism” is freighted with enormous historical weight and carries with it profound political implications for the present. This course asks: should we use the F-word? What do we mean by fascism? When and how did fascism emerge? Is it accurate to speak of contemporary right-wing politicians and activists as fascists, or are there alternative conceptual tools that more aptly describe what is occurring (e.g. authoritarianism, white supremacism)? This pop-up course will provide an introduction to these vital questions by engaging with historical works, theoretical debates, and contemporary analyses of fascism. Course dates: 2/22, 3/1, 3/8, 3/15, 3/22, 3/29