FILM 202 Images of African-Americans in Film

This course is an overview of how African Americans have been depicted in American film history from the early 20th century until the present. Relying upon both film excerpts and feature-length films, the course will illustrate how such representations speak to the social values of American society over time. In that respect, the films include both mainstream Hollywood releases and smaller independent films made by African-American filmmakers.

Credits

3

Hours Weekly

3

Course Objectives

1. 1. Develop a general knowledge of African-American images in American film history.
2. 2. Identify running themes in African-American-related films.
3. 3. Discuss the “auteur” theory of the cinema as it relates to African-American directors.
4. 4. Analyze the close connection between history, culture, and cinema in discussions of African-American life.
5. 5. Distinguish different cinematic styles and genres based on the cultural models created throughout African-American history.
6. 6. Discuss the styles of the most important and influential African-American directors.
7. 7. Consider family life, cultural mores, religion, art, and literature as depicted in African-American-related films.
8. 8. Identify ethical issues arising from cross-cultural study.
9. 9. Identify and apply critical theories and concepts related to enduring and contemporary issues of aesthetics, creativity, humanism, meaning, and/or invention in African-American film.
10. 10. Incorporate innovation, risk-taking, and creativity into analysis and problem-solving methods by distinguishing different cinematic styles and genres based on the cultural models created throughout African-American history.
11. 11. Pose and address questions related to the confluence of creative and humanistic expression with social and cultural contexts in African film.
12. 12. Assess, reflect on, and critically analyze the role of African-American cinema in illuminating the human condition and search for meaning.

Course Objectives

1. 1. Develop a general knowledge of African-American images in American film history.
2. 2. Identify running themes in African-American-related films.
3. 3. Discuss the “auteur” theory of the cinema as it relates to African-American directors.
4. 4. Analyze the close connection between history, culture, and cinema in discussions of African-American life.
5. 5. Distinguish different cinematic styles and genres based on the cultural models created throughout African-American history.
6. 6. Discuss the styles of the most important and influential African-American directors.
7. 7. Consider family life, cultural mores, religion, art, and literature as depicted in African-American-related films.
8. 8. Identify ethical issues arising from cross-cultural study.

   Program Goal(s)

   Degree: Film Studies - A.A. Degree (Transfer)

   1. Identify, understand, evaluate, and apply ethical reasoning and ethical considerations involved in filmmaking.

9. 9. Identify and apply critical theories and concepts related to enduring and contemporary issues of aesthetics, creativity, humanism, meaning, and/or invention in African-American film.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Essays and exams

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Creative Process and Humanistic Inquiry Rubric
10. 10. Incorporate innovation, risk-taking, and creativity into analysis and problem-solving methods by distinguishing different cinematic styles and genres based on the cultural models created throughout African-American history.

    Learning Activity Artifact

    • Other (please fill out box below)
    • Essays and exams

    Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

    • Creative Process and Humanistic Inquiry Rubric
11. 11. Pose and address questions related to the confluence of creative and humanistic expression with social and cultural contexts in African film.

    Learning Activity Artifact

    • Other (please fill out box below)
    • Essays and exams

    Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

    • Creative Process and Humanistic Inquiry Rubric
12. 12. Assess, reflect on, and critically analyze the role of African-American cinema in illuminating the human condition and search for meaning.

    Learning Activity Artifact

    • Other (please fill out box below)
    • Essays and exams

    Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

    • Creative Process and Humanistic Inquiry Rubric