#Black Lives Matter

Catalog description

The historical gaze has profoundly determined the image of African Americans in contemporary society. This interdisciplinary two-credit seven week course explore the range of ideas and methods used by critical thinkers, activists, and artists in addressing topics on intersectionality, #Black Lives Matter and anti-black racism. This course is designed with two objectives: to introduce students to the theory and practice of the field of black visual studies, journalism, and literature and to familiarize them with the work of activists, scholars and artists working in this area. Photographers, filmmakers and citizen journalists play a crucial role in advocating for change in our society. Photographs and film of injustices and protests during the American civil rights movement in the 1960s and more recently during the #Black Lives Matter movement illuminate a long history of black peoples fight against racism. The mélange of causes melded into a cry for humanity in recent protests is the core focus for our discussions as we explore activism and social movement protests. We will draw on a range of texts, primary sources and guest speakers in order to grapple with key questions, concerns and problems (i.e. representation, image-reception, agency, resistance, culture, structure, etc.) that have preoccupied scholars and artists alike.