Week Three: Video Series

"Setting the stage" Honoring W.E.B. Du Bois

In February 2012, the Board of Trustees at the University of Pennsylvania appointed Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois Honorary Emeritus Professor of Sociology and Africana Studies . To honor the important contributions of Du Bois' life and work, the Board organized an event featuring intellectual panels, art installation, musical tribute, and a poetic tribute.

This video of presenters offers an overview of various elements of Du Bois' vastly influential and important work, which will help orient your attention as you read some of Du Bois' foundational texts this week, from 1) his early accomplishments, 2) methodological contributions and 3) conceptual / theoretical contributions. In his, presentation Howard Winant emphasizes the importance of Du Bois' work in reclaiming the role in African Americans in advancing democracy for US society as a whole, while also contributing more specifically to Black emancipation specifically (13:40-15:10).