Robin James

My research is motivated by two interrelated aims: to gain a greater understanding of theoretical issues in philosophy (particularly feminist and critical race theories and aesthetics/philosophy of music), and to gain a greater understanding of political and aesthetic issues arising from contemporary American popular music. My work often begins where these two aims meet, i.e., the points where socio-political power (privilege and oppression) and aesthetic values (good and bad art) enter into relationships of mutual determination.

As a classically trained oboeist and practicing electronic musician, my work in philosophy is continually informed and motivated by my experience as a musician. I am particularly interested in punk/post-punk, hip-hop, and dance music; much of my recent research examines the ways that female artists and artists of color working in these genres challenge and critique traditional (i.e., normatively white, normatively masculine) ideas and values in Western philosophical aesthetics. Some articles of this type include: “Robo-Diva R&B: politics, aesthetics, and images of black female robots in contemporary US pop culture” in The Journal of Popular Music Studies and “Autonomy, Universality, and Playing the Guitar: On Non-Ideal Theory and Using the Master’s Tools” Hypatia Vol. 24, No. 4.

As a complement to my research in popular music, I also work in contemporary continental philosophy, feminist theory, and critical race/postcolonial theory. I have a particular interest in the work of Jacques Rancière, and am presently developing a manuscript that examines his theory of “the politics of aesthetics” in light of women-of-color feminisms.

At UNC Charlotte, I teach graduate and undergraduate classes in feminist theory, critical race and postcolonial theory, continental philosophy, and interdisciplinary classes about Western art music, US/UK popular music, and global hip-hop.

I am a Faculty Associate of the Center for Professional and Applied Ethics, adjunct faculty in the Women’s and Gender Studies Program, and one of the co-advisors of the Philosophy Club and the Ethics Bowl team.

I am a member of the band citation:obsolete and occasionally DJ under the name doctaj.

Education: Ph.D. philosophy, DePaul University