Description:

Black Cultural Studies Theories and Methods takes a cultural studies approach to studying media representations of Blackness in the twentieth and twenty-first century United States.  The cultural studies area of the field of communication examines cultural practices and representations and their relationships to power.  By definition cultural studies is radical and committed to social reconstruction.  Cultural studies is not an apolitical, distanced form of scholarship but instead endeavors to change structures of dominance, particularly as they apply to race, class, gender, and sexuality.  Drawing upon traditions in African American history, literature, media studies, sociology, as well as interdisciplinary fields, Black Cultural Studies examines how popular images of Blackness have been constructed and reconstructed.  Methodologically we will utilize the three most common modes of inquiry in cultural studies: textual analysis, audience reception, and political economy.  

Course Objectives:

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

·        Analyze images and representations of African Americans in media texts.

·        Discuss how media representation connects to issues of power and privilege.

·        Develop ideas about how to improve entertainment to better reflect the nation's true diversity.

·        Explain exactly what Black Cultural Studies as a field entails, in terms of methodology, subject matter, positioning of authors, political relevance, and more

·        Unpack the major themes of this course: Black women's bodies, Black men's bodies, Blackface minstrelsy, Black queer studies, Black Power, and Black hybridities.

·        Consume media critically!

Weekly Readings:

You can find your non-required book readings on e-reserve.   There are three required books for this class:

Eds. Houston Baker, Manthia Diawara, and Ruth Lindeborg, Black British Cultural Studies

E. Patrick Johnson, Appropriating Blackness

Rhodes, Jane, Framing the Black Panthers

Class attendance and participation are very important in this class.  Please do not come late or leave early. 

Assignments:

GoPost                                                                        10%

GoPost Portfolio                                                         10%

Seminar Discussion Facilitation                                  10%

Rhodes paper                                                               20%

Johnson paper                                                              20%

Final paper                                                                  30%

GoPost Weekly Passages:

Throughout the quarter you will post a total of six GoPost entries (in weeks 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 10).  By Sunday nights at midnight please either

1. post an important, meaningful excerpt (between one sentence and a paragraph) from the reading AND a paragraph in which you unpack (i.e., translate, explain, discuss significance of) your quote OR

2. post a response to a classmate's post AND post an important, meaningful excerpt (between one sentence and a paragraph) from the reading AND a paragraph in which you unpack (i.e., translate, explain, discuss significance of) your quote.  If you simply post your passages on time and follow the directions here, you will receive full credit for each post. 

Due: #1 is due every Sunday by noon and #2 is due every Sunday by midnight (except week one – due 11/8 at midnight; all #1s.  NO GoPost in weeks 3, 6, 7, or 9)

ODD groups (1, 3, 5) will post on ODD weeks and even groups (2, 4, 6) will post on EVEN weeks.

Please post your weekly passages and statements here:

https://catalysttools.washington.edu/gopost/board/rljoseph/4157/

In addition, please print out your GoPost entries and bring them to class.

GoPost Portfolio:

Throughout the quarter you will maintain a portfolio of your four best GoPost entries.  For your portfolio you will put these four entries together with an explanatory page where you trace the development of your thought processes throughout the quarter. 

Due: Monday, March 17 by 1:30 pm to CMU 102

Seminar Discussion Facilitation:

On the first class the students will be divided into three groups.  Each group will present on Wednesdays.  One group will be responsible for preparing remarks on the assigned readings; the second will present on one of the key "history" moments/people of the week; the third will be responsible for providing information and leading discussion on one of the featured cultural works.  Duties will alternate weekly.  Class presentations should be the result of a group effort.  Please email me your presentation by NOON on Wednesdays (the day of the presentation).

• Facilitation of texts should include an in-depth summary of the main points of the text, a discussion of methodology, a mention of contribution of this work to its field(s), an analysis of strengths and weaknesses (of the style of the writing, the content provided, as well as the argument), and a linking of reading to the course's concerns. If not given in a previous class then you should provide brief background on the authors, including a short biography and select bibliography.  Most important of all: write a minimum of three questions for the class to discuss. All of this information should be included on a document for all members of the class (do not need to Xerox – I will link to the syllabus).

• Presentations on a key historical moment or event should concentrate on giving specifics about the event as well as painting an overall picture or snapshot of the historic moment in which the artists were working and the texts were being written.

• Presentations on a cultural representation should provide 1) short key clips of the work, 2) a short biography of the artists and/or history of the work, 2) information on and images of the type of work during that historic moment, and 3) a connection to the course's concerns. All of this information should be included on a handout for all members of the class.   Your presentation of one of the cultural works should be informed directly by class readings

The spoken part of your presentation should summarize key points (but not be read from your handout) and be succinct. One member of your group will present your findings.  Members will alternate so that each student is responsible for at least one seminar facilitation. 

Facilitations will begin on Wednesday January 16, 2008.

Midterm Essays:

Write one 4-5 page essay drawing upon Jane Rhodes's book and talk and a second 4-5 page essay drawing upon E. Patrick Johnson's book and talk.  In each of your papers you should address the following question: how is Rhodes or Johnson defining Black Cultural Studies?  Consider: subject matter, method, positioning, of author, political relevance, etc.  Be sure to include quotes from the authors' books and a minimum of one additional class reading. Rhodes paper due: Monday, February 11

Johnson paper due: Monday, March 3

Final Essay:

For this 8-10 page essay you will investigate a central Black Cultural Studies question that arose for you this quarter.  You will use your two essays and GoPost entries as starting points.  More details in class.  Please be sure to use a minimum of four different sources from class readings.  Late papers will not be accepted. 

Final essay due: Monday, March 17 by 1:30 pm to CMU 102

Grading Scale: