BLACKS IN FILM
AFA 4xxx
African American Studies Program – The University of Florida
Dr. Patricia Hilliard-Nunn
Office Location: 211 Walker Hall
Office Hours: Tuesdays Noon-2PM Office Phone: 352-392-5726
Other Times By Appointment e-mail:
COURSE GOAL: The goal of this course is to critically examine the history, culture, politics, concepts and issues related to African/Black people and film.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
COURSE OBJECTIVES: Student will be able to: 1) utilize basic film analysis approaches and terminology in discussing films, 2) demonstrate an understanding of basic concepts (i.e. world view, culture, stereotype, representation, etc.) and describe their utility in examining films, 3) identify the common historical representations of black people in mainstream films, 4) name and describe the works of a sample of Black filmmakers and actors/actresses 5) examine cultural dependency and self-concept as they relate to and are influenced by film, 6) describe certain critical claims about the relationship between motion pictures and society in general and Blacks in particular, 7) identify some of the key individuals, events, and films related to Blacks over the last 12 decades, and 8) learn critical thinking skills.
ATTENDANCE POLICY: Attendance is based on you being on time, signing the roll sheet, being prepared and staying for the entire class. It is assumed that enrollment in the class means that there are no conflicts with other obligations (work, travel, meetings, etc.) during class time. If you miss two classes, without a written medical excuse or other reason for excused absence according to UF policy, you should consider dropping the course. Poor attendance and tardiness will affect your final grade. If you are over 15 minutes late for two classes meetings, you will earn one full absence. No further admonishments will be made. In the case of an official university excuse or a documented medical emergency provide me with a written letter and/or medical excuse on a physician’s official letterhead or official university letterhead that includes the time and date of your care or other business upon your return to class. For information about the attendance policies at the University of Florida, you may visit https://catalog.ufl.edu/ugrad/current/regulations/info/attendance.aspx.
MAKE UP POLICY: All assignments are known in advance; therefore, permission to hand in an assignment late is only granted for exceptional circumstances and reasons for excused absence according to UF policy.
Quiz/Test/Exam: Students with documented official university or medical excuses may take a make up quiz/test/exam. The professor must be notified before or immediately after the absence and the exam must be scheduled on the first day that the student returns to campus. Students who do not provide documentation and reschedule the example will not be given a make up.
Assignments: Students with valid official university or documented medical excuses be allowed to turn in assignments within one day of her/his return to campus without penalty. The assignment will be considered late and reduced one letter grade for each day the assignment is not turned in beginning with the due date if the proper documentation is not provided.
ACCOMMODATIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: In compliance with the University of Florida’s policy and equal access laws, I am available to discuss appropriate academic accommodations that may be required for students with disabilities. Requests for academic accommodations are to be made during the first three weeks of the semester, except for unusual circumstances, so arrangements can be made. Students are encouraged to register with Student Disability Services to verify their eligibility for appropriate accommodations. The Disability Resource Center in the Dean of Students Office provides information and support regarding accommodations for students with disabilities. More information may be found here: http://www.dso.ufl.edu/drc/
STATEMENT REGARDING HARRASMENT: UF provides an educational and working environment that is free from sex discrimination and sexual harassment for its students, staff, and faculty. To learn more about this policy, visit: http://www.dso.ufl.edu/sccr/sexual/
UNIVERSITY CODE OF HONOR: Each student in this course is expected to abide by the University of Florida’s Student Honor Code and Code of Conduct. Any work submitted by a student in this course for academic credit will be the student's own work. Students suspected of academic dishonesty or of violating the Honor Code will be reported to the Dean of Students Office. To learn more about the UF policy regarding Academic Honesty, please visit: http://www.dso.ufl.edu/judicial/academic.php.
COUNSELING ASSISTANCE: Students who may experience stress related personal issues are encourages to visit the University of Florida Counseling Center at 301 Peabody Hall or the Student Mental Health Services which is located on the 2nd floor of the Student Health Care Center in the Infirmary. University Counseling Center, 301 Peabody Hall, 392-1575, www.counseling.ufl.edu/cwc/ Student Mental Health Services, Rm. 245 Student Health Care Center, 392-1171, www.counseling.ufl.edu/cwc/
REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION:
1. CLASS ATTENDANCE & PARTICIPATION (10%):
Attendance will be based on you arriving at class on time, signing the class roll sheet, and remaining for the entire class. Participation means that you have completed your readings and/or assignments on time and are able to contribute to the class discussions. Any information and/or changes that are announced in class are YOUR responsibility, whether you attended class or not. Unexcused absences and tardiness will decrease your grade for participation. If you must miss class, for any reason, on a day that you are due to present or turn in an assignment, you must turn in your work ahead of time, or provide a valid reason for excused absence according to UF policy. No eating or drinking in class. No cell phones, pagers, laptops or other electronic devices may be used in class. Let me know if you have ANY questions.
2. QUIZZES ( Two TBA) (20%):
There will be three (3) quizzes based on class readings, discussions, presentations, lectures and films. They will consist of multiple choice, true/false, short answer and short (essay) answer items.
3. FILM PROJECT ______(10%)
: Students will work with a pre-assigned team to research and prepare a time-line report which highlights key dates related to the history of Black Film for a particular decade. (Includes: Project Cover Sheet, Summary, Time-Line, Questions, References and a Class Presentation with handout) Teams MUST follow the guidelines.
(Due: Different Group dates)
FILM WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS - ** IMPORTANT**
All three of your written assignments should have a minimum of (1500 words) not including references. Each essay should include a bibliography/filmography with no fewer than 8 references. No fewer than 6 must be from books and/or scholarly journals which address the subject matter. Quotations should be kept to a minimum and should only be used if they help to move your thesis forward. Incorporate the terms and concepts discussed in class. See the section on “presentation of work” for further details.
4. PERSONAL FILM EXPERIENCE ESSAY (Due January 26) (20%):
Write an essay about how film has or has not influenced you and your perception of Black people, Black history and Black culture. Include details about the first film or TV image(s) that you saw and what you recall thinking/feeling about it when you first saw it. How do you feel about the film today? Incorporate the film titles, etc. in your answer. Keep plot summaries brief.
5. CRITICAL FILM ANALYSIS (Due XXXXX) (20%):
Write a critical analysis which directly addresses how a black-themed film addresses race, gender and and/or sexuality. Select a film directed by anyone - independent or mainstream that includes Black characters, and/or specifically Black culture, history, etc. in some way. I must approve your films before you begin. Your analysis should address the manner in which the film represents and places the Black characters. Pay attention to the narrative structure, the setting, the social, cultural and political placement of characters, and how the work transmit cultural codes/symbols. You should also address what meaning(s) this may have to society, in general, and Black people in particular.
6. SHORT RESEARCH ESSAY: (Due XXXXX) (20%):
This is your opportunity to research and write a paper which addresses an aspect of Blacks and Film that interests you. The essay should not be a film summary, a film critique, a biography about an individual, or a description of a particular event or issue. The essay may be, but is not limited to, a critical exploration of a film, a director or directors, a character type, a key issue in the film industry, or the like. A few sample title examples are: The Representation of Women in the Films of Spike Lee, The meaning of “Blackness” in Science Fiction Films, The Placement of Blacks in Selected Disney Cartoons, An Analysis of Black Men who have Won Oscars for Best Supporting Actor, An Examination of the Popularity of Tyler Perry Movies. Your topic must be preapproved by March 1.
REQUIREMENTS & EVALUATION AT A GLANCE %:
1. Attendance & Participation 10%
2. Quiz #1- Quiz #2 20%
3. Time-Line Presentation 10%
4. Film Essay 1500 words 1/26 20%
5. Film Critique 1500 words 3/1 20%
6. Film Person 1500 words 4/19 20% (Get topic approved by 5/1)
TOTAL 100%
Your Grade Will Be Based On The Following Scale: 93-100=A, 90-92=A-, 87-89=B+, 83-86=B, 80-82=B-, 77-79=C+, 73-76=C, 70-72=C-, 67-69=D+, 63-66=D, 60-62=D-, 57-59=E+, 57 and below = E.
Please note a grade of C- does not count towards the General Education, Writing, and Math requirement.
PRESENTATION OF WORK:
All assignments must be typed, double-spaced using Times New Roman 12 point font in MS Word. You must use a standard one-inch margin - no bold-faced fonts. Use the style APA, MLA or Chicago that is used in your academic discipline. All pages should be numbered and stapled. Do not use a cover sheet. Include the identifying information in the upper right hand corner, single-spaced. UF has an online writing assistance site at http://web.cwoc.ufl.edu/owl. Work will be considered late and graded down one letter grade after the beginning of class on the due date. Work will continue to be reduced a letter grade for each additional day it is late (see the make up work section for more details). Finally, DO NOT e-mail or fax papers unless I ask you to.
EVALUATION OF ALL CLASS ACTIVITIES AND ASSIGNMENTS IS BASED ON:
The instructor will evaluate and provide feedback on all written assignments. Your work will be evaluated with respect to 1) Quality, scope and organization of documentation; 2) Clarity and coherence of expression; 3) Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation; 4) Quality of critical analysis; 5) Demonstration of an understanding of information and concepts addressed in the readings and/or discussed in class; 6) Following directions and completing assignments on time. Students are also expected to meet the minimum word count and deadlines as outlined in the syllabus.
REQUIRED COURSE TEXTS:
1. Bogle, Donald (2003). Toms, coons, mulattoes, mammies & Bucks: An interpretive history of blacks in american films (4th Ed.). NY: Continuum.
2. Reid, Mark. (2005). Black lenses, Black voices: Black Film Now. African American Film Now. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.
3. Rhines, Jesse Algeron (1996). Black Film/White Money. New Brunswick: NJ. Rutgers University Press.
REQUIRED FILMS: There is no screening period for this class, but you are required to see and be prepared to discuss the films listed below by the date listed. You may view the films on course reserve at the UF library or you may rent the films via NETFLIX or another online source.
DATE DUE / FILM TITLE / LOCATIONJanuary 12 / Ethnic Notions (1986) Marlon Riggs / In Class
January 19 / Within Our Gates (1991) Oscar Micheaux / Library
January 19 / Bamboozled (2000) Spike Lee / In Class
January 26 / Hallelujah (1929) King Vidor / Library
January 26 / Hair Piece: A Film For Nappy Headed People (1985) Ayoka Chenzira / In Class
February 2 / Hollywood Shuffle (1987) Robert Townsend / Library
February 9 / I Like It Like That (1994) Darnel Martin / In Class
February 9 / The Learning Tree (1969) Gordon Parks / Library
February 16 / Baadasssss Cinema (2002) by Isaac Julien / In Class
February 16 / Cooley High (1975) Michael Schultz / In Class
February 23 / Do The Right Thing (1989) Spike Lee / Library
March 1 / Just Another Girl on the IRT (1992) Leslie Harris / In Class
March 15 / LA NOIRE DE- Black Girl (1969) Ousmane Sembene / In Class
March 15 / Sugar Cane Alley (1983) Euzhan Palcy / In Class
March 22 / Boyz In the Hood (1991) John Singleton / Library
March 29 / To Sleep With Anger (1990) Charles Burnett / Library
March 29 / Sankofa (1993) Haile Gerima / In Class
April 5 / Love & Basketball (2000) Gina Prince Blythewood / Library
April 5 / Daughters of the Dust (1991) Julie Dash / In Class
April 12 / Eve’s Bayou (1997) Kasi Lemmons / Library
April 12 / The Great Debaters (2007) Denzel Washington / Library
DATE / TOPIC(S) / READING(S)/FILM(S)/ASSIGNMENT(S)
Week 1 Jan 12 / COURSE OVERVIEW
BLACKS IN MEDIA
FILM COMMUNICATION PROCESS / Film: Ethnic Notions (1986) Marlon Riggs
Week 2
Jan 19 / FILM HISTORY 1890s-1930s
THE SILENT ERA
CHARACTER TYPES
FILM TERMS/CONCEPTS / Reading Due:
Bogle: Chp. 1 – 3 – Black Beginnings, Jesters, Servants
Reid: Chp. 1 - Early African American Film, 1912-1940
Rhines: Chp. 2 – The Silent Era
Film In Library:
Within Our Gates (1919) Oscar Micheaux
Film In Class: Bamboozled (2000) Spike Lee
Week 3
Jan 26 / EARLY BLACK FILMMAKERS
BLACK FILM HISTORY 1940s
IDEOLOGY & FILM
FILM REPRESENTATION / Reading Due:
Bogle: Chp. 4 – Black Market Cinema,
Chp. 5 Entertainers, New Negroes, Problem People
Rhines: Chp. 3 Depression & WWII, Negro
Due: ESSAY #1
Film In Library: Hallelujah (1929) King Vidor
Film In Class: Hair Piece: A Film For Nappy Headed People (1985) Ayoka Chenzira
Week 3
Feb 2 / BLACK FILM HISTORY 50s-60s
DIRECTORS & OTHER FILM CREATORS / Reading Due:
Bogle: Chp. 6 1950s Black Stars
Rhines: Chp 4 The Negro Cycle Through Blaxploitation
1945-1974
Due: Time Line Group 1: 1940s
Time Line Group 2: 1950s
Film in Library: Hollywood Shuffle (1987) by Robert Townsend
Week 5
Feb 9 / BLACK FILM HISTORY 60s
SPECTATORS/AUDIENCES / Reading Due:
Bogle Chp. 7 1960s: Problem People into Militants
Reid: Chp. 4
QUIZ #1
Film in Library: The Learning Tree (1969) Gordon Parks
Film In Class: I Like It Like That (1994) Darnell Martin
Week 6
Feb 16 / BLACK FILM HISTORY 70s
“BLAXPLOITATION” / Reading Due:
Bogle Chp. 8 The 1970s: Bucks and a Black Movie Boom
Rhines: Chp. 4 Blockbusters and Independents 1975......
Reid: Chp. 2 Black Family Film, 1990s
Due: Time Line Group 3: 1960s
Time Line Group 4: 1970s
Film In Library: Cooley High (1975) Michael Schultz
Film In Class: Baadasssss Cinema (2002) by Isaac Julien
Week 7
Feb 23 / BLACK FILM HISTORY 80s / Reading Due:
Bogle: Chp. 9 The 1980s: Black Superstars...Era of Tan
Rhines: Chp. 8 Unintended Collusion: The Case of Spike Lee
Due: Time Line Group 5: 1980s
Film In Library: Do the Right Thing (1989) Spike Lee
Week 8
Mar 1 / ECONOMICS , DISTRIBUTION & ACCESS / Reading Due:
Rhines: Chp. 1 Distribution, Production, and Exhibition
Rhines: Chp. 8 Employment Discrimination
Due: ESSAY #2
Film In Class: Just Another Girl on the IRT (1992) Leslie Harris
Week 9
Mar 8 / NO CLASS - Spring Break / Study for Quiz #2
Week 10
Mar 15 / CINEMA IN AFRICA &
THE AFRICAN DIASPORA / QUIZ #2:
Film in Library: Sugar Cane Alley (1983) Euzhan Palcy
Film In Class: Black Girl (1969) Ousmane Sembene
Week 11
Mar 22 / MULTIPLE GENRES / Reading Due:
Bogle: Chp 10 The 1990s: New Stars, New Filmmakers, and
a New African American Cinema
Reid: Chp. 3 Black Action after Twenty Years
Due: Time Line Group 6: 1990s
Film In Library: Boyz In The Hood (1991) John Singleton
Week 12
Mar 29 / WAVES OF INDEPENDENT
FILM-MAKING / Reading Due:
Reid: Chp. 6 Black Independent Film: Haile Gerima’s
Sankofa
Film In Library: To Sleep With Anger (1990) Charles Burnett
In Class Film: Sankofa (1993) Haile Gerima
Week 13
Apr 5 / BLACK WOMEN
FILM COMMUNCATORS / Reading Due:
Reid: Chp. 5 Black Female Centered African American Films
Rhines: Chp 7 Black Women in the System
Film In Library: Love & Basketball (2000) Gina Prince Blythewood
Film In Class: Daughters of the Dust (1991) Julie Dash
Week 14
April 12 / WHAT IS BLACK FILM? / Reading Due:
Rhines: Chp 9, The Struggle Continues behind the Camera
Chps 10 & 11 Conclusion and Epilogue
Due: Time Line Group 7: 2000s
ESSAY #3
Film In Library: Eve’s Bayou (1997) Kasi Lemmons
The Great Debaters (2007) Denzel Washington
Week 15
April 19 / LAST DAY OF CLASS / Due: Paper Panel Discussions
Week 16
April 26 / NO CLASS READING DAY
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