AFAM314

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AFAM314

RACE AND FILM AFAM314 SP

Spring 97 Availability (Last Updated on Thu Apr 17 05:00:17 EDT 1997 )

Section  Limit  Enrollment  Available
  01       17      0         17

Next Offered in 9798 SP

The object of this course is quite simple: to examine various examples of: "mainstream" pre-Hollywood and Hollywood films for the purpose of assessing how "race" has been depicted. The territory is enormous. We will limit our study this semester to the representations of three groups: White Americans, Asians, and African Americans. Other groups-- in particular, American Indians-- have been omitted because to adequately cover the area would take the entire course. We will explore the historical underpinnings of the construction of race and why the creation of racial types became paramount to Hollywood. We will ask --and answer-- why racial images have been so enduring and what they tell us about our country.

MAJOR READINGS

A PEOPLE AND A NATION: A HISTORY OF THE
UNITED STATES, VOL. II
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 on Monday evenings. Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office.

COURSE FORMAT: Discussion Seminar

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UG Credit: 1.00 Gen Ed Area & Dept: HA ENGL

Prerequisites: None

Last Updated on MAR-10-1997

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