Afrofuturism and the Moving Image
FILM 394
Spring 2025
| Section:
01
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| Crosslisting:
AFAM 394 |
In Space is the Place, jazz musician and cosmic philosopher Sun Ra says that "the first thing to do is to consider time as officially ended. We work on the other side of time." What if (as .clipping suggest in the notes to their album, Splendor & Misery) the darkness of outer space is not simply a terrifying void, but rather an unruly space of Black cosmology and myth? This class begins its survey of Afrofuturism with the speculative premise that Sun Ra lays out. We will study cinematic depictions of hauntings, dystopias, aliens, the surreal, and space travel. We will encounter works by filmmakers such as Lizzie Borden, Anisia Uzeyman, John Akomfrah, John Sayles, Wanuri Kahiu, Mati Diop, Jordan Peele, Terrance Nance, William Greaves, and more. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA FILM |
| Course Format: Seminar | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: FILM304 OR FILM307 |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (FILM-MN)(FILM) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: 50% - 74% |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Ytasha Womack, Reynaldo Anderson, Kodwo Eshun and more. All readings will be provided by Instructor.
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Examinations and Assignments:
2 Short Papers and a Final; Participation |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
N/A |
| Instructor(s): Ball,Kevin Dwight Times: ..T.R.. 01:20PM-04:40PM; Location: CFS190; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 16 | | SR major: 4 | JR major: 4 | | |
| Seats Available: 0 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 4 | JR non-major: 2 | SO: 2 | FR: 0 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 13 | 1st Ranked: 5 | 2nd Ranked: 5 | 3rd Ranked: 1 | 4th Ranked: 2 | Unranked: 0 |
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