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Academic Year 2003/2004

Race and Film
AFAM 314 SP

This course examines in depth the ways in which notions of race have been created, made standard, and expanded in mainstream pre-Hollywood and Hollywood movies. Our quest will begin with the year 1915 and proceed to the 1970s. We will examine films made in five different years, looking at a range of expressions of race, including the depictions of African Americans, American Indians, Anglo-Americans, and others, including Italians, Jews, the Irish, and Latin Americans from various countries. We will focus our inquiry on why certain stereotypes have remained so cherished and what they reveal about the identity of the United States. This course includes a mandatory weekly group movie screening.

MAJOR READINGS

ROMANCE AND THE "YELLOW PERIL": RACE, SEX AND DISCURSIVE STRATEGIES IN HOLLYWOOD FICTION
WHITE SCREENS, BLACK IMAGES;
FRAMING BLACKNESS: THE AFRICAN AMERICAN IMAGE IN FILM;
MOVIE-MADE AMERICA;

Films include: THE BIRTH OF A NATION, HOLIDAY, GONE WITH THE WIND, HALLELUJAH, SAYONARA

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

A weekly journal devoted to commentary about the films we view. Each student will lead discussion about a film. Two papers: one 5-8 page; one seminar paper, 15 pages or longer.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Students are expected to have completed upper-level courses in African American Studies or American Studies. Films will be shown during the Tuesday meetings.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: HA ENGL    Grading Mode: Graded   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-19-2004

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