During this unit, I've hopefully introduced you to some of the first major cinematic films: the first major Hollywood blockbuster, the response to that blockbuster, and the film which birthed Blaxploitation. While several may feel these films are problematic, I probably wouldn't disagree. Nonetheless, I believe that film spectatorship is almost an existential experience. You might ask what is spectatorship? It is what Huey Newton says is missing from media audiences, and it is what Toni Morrison says she expects from her readers, to engage with the media/text through critical analysis. As I've taught this class, I realize that films I used to enjoy, don't have the same meaning. My spectatorship is evolving. I'd like you to consider the films that you watch, and see whether or not you can make correlations between one of these films and a film which you enjoy. What did you discover? Is your spectatorship evolving or changing? If so, please include a film to explain how and why. Your response is due by the beginning of class on Fri., 9/14/18 (Don't forget the rubric on the syllabus).
