We are proposing to compile a set of alternatives to classical Western-centric
social theory, like the Great Books of the Western World.
It is an exploration to bring more Nonwestern theory into the mainstream of social thought and create a dialogue for a Global Social Thought that reflects human diversity, an idea whose time has come. Parallel to the Great Books of the Western World, this collection will include major classics from around the world that can contribute to our understanding of human nature, behavior, and institutions.
This project grows out of a workshop on fighting racism and almost three decades of teaching a graduate seminar on Nonwestern Thought at the University of Texas-Austin, the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and George Mason University. The course has two parts, one on the classics from various streams of thought, and another on Nonwestern scholarship regarding the range of central substantive issues for social thought (e.g., anticolonialism, intersectionality, stratification, spirituality and religion, social movements, family and community, etc.).
The first step is to propose a series of volumes on the classics and we have interest from a potential publisher.
We hope to cast a broad global net to ask for advice - thank you for your input! Please fill out this survey, responding to your areas of interest and expertise. Direct any queries to Lester R. Kurtz, George Mason University, lkurtz@gmu.edu.