SOAS History Masterclass: 'Exploring the development of philosophy in early-modern Ethiopia'

Booking Deadline:

In this Masterclass with SOAS History Staff, participants will look at the development of Ethiopian philosophical thought through a historical lens; from the highlands of Ethiopia to Belle Epoque Paris, Tsarist Russia and fascist Italy, from the great libraries of Europe to the radical politics of Ethiopia in the seventies.

During the Masterclass, participants will explore key questions such as:

• Who is Ethiopian scholar Zera Yacob and why have we never heard his name?

• How did Zera’s philosophical thought develop amongst the backdrop of a brutal civil war?

• Through authorship and authenticity, orientalism and colonial knowledge production - what it is that we truly value in a work of philosophy?

On Campus Masterclasses are subject based and are three hours long. They consist of a topic based lecture and interactive activity, led by a SOAS academic. There is also a campus tour and a workshop on Higher Education led by Student Ambassadors.