Spring 2017 - Unit I/Blog I

    

 

(Do you recognize some of these images?)



We're off to an impressive start!  As we examine the origins of the Hollywood film industry, we've read, observed, and identified quite a bit!  Let's continue the dialogue!!  I'd like you to answer the following:

• How were Black lives deemed unimportant by the Hollywood film industry? 
• How has this tenet been deconstructed as well as reconstructed today?

This is due by Fri., 2/3/17 by the beginning of class.  Please remember to consult the blog rubric found on your course syllabus.  I look forward to some thought provoking discourse! 😊

Unit IV - Reflection

Finally, we've gotten to the end of the semester!  It has been a pleasure.  We've enjoyed some lively conversations as well as watched some films that generated a lot of thought and reflection.  While some of you inadvertently may have already done this, I'd like you to comment nonetheless.  Please reflect on this class and provide me with your thoughts, ideas of new material (which I've already gotten and written down a lot for future classes), and suggestions for this course.  Also, if you have any advice for future English 318 students, what would you suggest?  Please complete this by Wed., 11/30 before class begins.

Blog Rubric

Rating	Characteristics
4	Exceptional. The entry is focused and coherently integrates examples with explanations or analysis. The entry demonstrates awareness of its own limitations or implications, and it considers multiple perspectives when appropriate. The entry reflects in-depth engagement with the topic. Multimedia (video, graphic, chart, audio, etc.) use significantly enhances blog presentation
3	Satisfactory. The entry is reasonably focused, and explanations or analysis are mostly based on examples or other evidence. Fewer connections are made between ideas, and though new insights are offered, they are not fully developed. The entry reflects moderate engagement with the topic. Multimedia use moderately enhanced blog presentation
2	Underdeveloped. The entry is mostly description or summary, without consideration of alternative perspectives, and few connections are made between ideas. The entry reflects passing engagement with the topic. Multimedia use is limited in the blog entry.
1	Limited. The entry is unfocused, or simply rehashes previous comments, and displays no evidence of student engagement with the topic. Little to no multimedia use is implemented.
0	No Credit. The entry is missing or consists of one or two disconnected sentences. No multimedia use is implemented.

Unit III - The Black Body Under Attack

Today, black men and women are being profiled unnecessarily.  Unfortunately, we live in a society where innocence until proven guilty remains elusive.  To continue probing this phenomenon, we've watched some informative and discomforting reels which situate violence against black bodies at the center of our dialogue.  Which one stood out to you the most?  Further, as a country founded on the ideals of racism, can the U.S. ever matriculate beyond its racist foundations?  Will black bodies ever be valued?

Due: Mon., 11/7/16 at the beginning of class.

Unit II - Interpretations of the Black Family

We've discussed perceptions of the black family during this unit.  Our readings have included political perceptions as well as social ones.  The black family's reality is non-normative primarily because of chattel slavery.  Some families never regained their "brokenness" from the displacement of loved ones.  Fortunately, the black family's resilience is evident because we are dialoguing about this today.  And, while we recognize many positive images of the black family on television today like: Queen Sugar and Black-ish, the derogatory perceptions still remain.  And, black communities remain forced to be compared to the white paradigm of what is considered "family."  I mentioned these television shows because they are atypical.  They include non-traditional family members like grandfathers, aunts and others.  Some siblings are "half" siblings with different mothers and one father.  So, I ask you how do images of today's black family compare with your own? 

Due: Fri., 10/7/16 by the beginning of class. 

Unit I - Oscar Micheaux's Legacy

 We've discussed quite a bit about early Hollywood film as well as the origins of black cinema.  Several topics stand out to me: blackface, metaphysical dualism, spatial narration, and the "single story."  I'd like you to share which concept/topic stood out the most to you, and why?  Finally, I'd like you to address this: what do you believe is Oscar Micheaux's legacy?


Due: Fri., 9/2/16 by the beginning of class.

Reflection

Finally, we've gotten to the end of the semester!  It has been a pleasure.  We've enjoyed some lively conversations as well as watched some films that generated a lot of thought and reflection.  While some of you inadvertently may have already done this, I'd like you to comment nonetheless.  Please reflect on this class and provide me with your thoughts, ideas of new material (which I've already gotten and written down a lot for future classes), and suggestions for this course.  Also, if you have any advice for future English 318 students, what would you suggest?  Please complete this by Mon., 4/25/16 before class begins.

Unit III - The Black Body: Examining the Indulgences and Innocence

We have discussed multiple dimensions of the black body.  From D'Angelo to Hottentot Venus, we discussed performativity and objectification.  Who knew dominant culture would remain so

fascinated with black bodies? 

While D'Angelo resisted, others were unable to.  bell hooks suggests that Tina Turner may not have been a willing participant in her own objectification by Ike Turner.  Do you think she realizes now?  What about the inferences of influence in Ike Turner's fantasy stemming from Tarzan's Jane as well as its potential influence on School Daze's Jane character in our dialogue? 

More recently, we've discussed the role of the African American documentary with providing an alternative perspective to the black narrative.  And, Janet Cutler is correct.  This genre has been woefully neglected.  So, how do we begin to take control of how our bodies are portrayed along with how our stories are told?   Is Beyonce' really in control of her body or has consumption rampantly (re)possessed it?