Race and Film
AFAM 314
Fall 2007
| Section:
01
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| Crosslisting:
AMST 311 |
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. |
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Essential Capabilities:
Interpretation: Students will be analyzing nonverbal texts, linking them to cultural mores and academic critiques of American society.
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA AFAM |
| Course Format: Seminar | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Major Requirement for: None |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
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
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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. |
| Instructor(s): Pemberton,Gayle Times: ..T.... 01:10PM-04:00PM; Location: ZLKA106; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 15 | | SR major: 5 | JR major: 5 | | |
| Seats Available: -7 | GRAD: 0 | SR non-major: 3 | JR non-major: 2 | SO: X | FR: X |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 2 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 2 |
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