Afrofuturist Cinema
FILM 394
Spring 2027
| Section:
01
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| Crosslisting:
AFAM 394 |
In Space Is the Place, jazz musician and cosmic philosopher Sun Ra states that "the first thing to do is to consider time as officially ended. We work on the other side of time." Afrofuturist stories unfold in this other time -- or the time that comes "after the end of the world." In this class, our research follows the films of Afrofuturism into the loop of Sun Ra¿s speculative premise. This class explores cinematic depictions of hauntings, dystopias, aliens, surrealism, and time and space travel. In doing so, we will encounter works by Anisia Uzeyman, Ryan Coogler, CJ Obasi, Terrance Nance, Jordan Peele, Mati Diop, Ngozi Onwurah, Sun Ra, John Akomfrah, John Sayles, Anna Rose Holmer, Bill Gunn, Wanuri Kahui, 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 Studies Minor)(Film Studies)(Social, Cultural and Critical Theory Certificate) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: 50% - 74% |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Tavia Nyong¿o, Black Apocalypse
Kodwo Eshun, More Brilliant than the Sun
Mark Dery, ¿Black to the Future¿ (from Flame Wars)
Saidiya Hartman, ¿Venus in Two Acts¿
Frank B. Wilderson, ¿Grammar and Ghosts¿
Ytasha Womack, Afrofuturism
And additional readings, all provided by the instructor.
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Examinations and Assignments:
A Synthesis Paper
A Videographic Project
A Group Presentation
Attendance & Participation |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
Additional Requirements and/or comments |
| Instructor(s): Ball,Kevin Dwight Times: ..T.R.. 01:20PM-04:40PM; Location: TBA |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 16 | | SR major: 4 | JR major: 4 | | |
| Seats Available: 16 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 4 | JR non-major: 2 | SO: 2 | FR: X |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 0 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
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