ENGL 21035 - Constructing Black Lives in Film and Lit

Course Credit: 1
Maximum Credit: 0

(AFST, CMLT, GMDS)
CONSTRUCTING BLACK LIVES IN FILM AND LITERATURE In this summer course, we will analyze 19th, 20th and 21st century classic, documentary, and biographical films, autobiographies, and memoirs to investigate the different ways in which African-American men’s and women’s life narratives are constructed. In particular, we will consider the impact of historical events and processes upon identities, the ways identities are performed, and the mutually constitutive relationship among race, class, gender, and sexuality. Some class time will also be spent critiquing visual art in terms of identity construction. This broad course topic allows us to engage in interdisciplinary scholarship (involving, Africana studies, literature, history, music, film, and visual art). The technique that unites these fields is close reading/explication. Since strong analysis of varied texts depends upon your ability to give complex, evidence-based interpretations of them, together we will learn and practice (1) skillfully close reading/explicating; (2) arguing our points aloud via “live” debate; and (3) writing our thoughts clearly. [AH]