By the end of the course, you should be able to a) present your logical analysis based on the required TV series, b) design your own creative approach to work on a screenplay of an episode of a TV series of your own choosing, c) engage in literary, socioeconomic, historical, and cultural discussions on the racial issue, and d) develop your independent and critical thinking on this highly touchy issue.By the end of the course, you should be able to a) present your logical analysis based on the required TV series, b) design your own creative approach to work on a screenplay of an episode of a TV series of your own choosing, c ) engage in literary, socioeconomic, historical, and cultural discussions on the racial issue, and d) develop your independent and critical thinking on this highly touchy issue.
In terms of the television and film representations of African-American culture and history, African-American director Spike Lee states, “I think black people have to be in control of their own image because film is a powerful medium. We can’t just sit back and let other people define our existence.
With a quick glance at the history of the television and file industry in the United States, the portrayal of African Americans has been, if not all, negative as well as typical. Hence, for the purpose of fully apprehending Lee’s core belief of portraying African-American people and culture in media truthfully and authentically, this seminar aims to closely examine the media representations of racial and gender characterization in African-American history and culture. The selective television series and films, such as Underground, The Birth of a Nation, A Raisin in the Sun, The Get Down, How to Get Away with Murder, 13th and so forth are chosen to help students engage themselves in the discussions of how black image should be presented, defined and reconstructed. In addition to the representations of black image, the historical and socioeconomic backgrounds of slavery, racial segregation, and modern day racism will be provided to deepen the comprehension of African Americans’ struggle in the face of dominant social standards and unequal legal systems in their time in the United States.
In terms of the television and film representations of African-American culture and history, African-American director Spike Lee states, “I think black people have to be in control of their own image because film is a powerful medium. We can't just sit back and let other people define our existence.
With a quick glance at the history of the television and file industry in the United States, the portrayal of African Americans has been, if not all, negative as well as typical. Hence, for the purpose of fully apprehending Lee's core belief of portrayal African -American people and culture in media truthfully and authentically, this seminar aims to closely examine the media representations of racial and gender characterization in African-American history and culture. The selective television series and films, such as Underground, The Birth of a Nation, A Raisin in the Sun, The Get Down, How to Get Away with Murder, 13th and so forth are chosen to help students engage themselves in the discussions of how black image should be presented, defined and reconstructed. In addition to the representations of black image , the historical and socioeconomic backgrounds of slavery, racial segregation, and modern day racism will be provided to deepen the comprehension of African Americans' struggle in the face of dominant social standards and unequal legal systems in their time in the United States.
*Primary Screening Television Series:
1. African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross. PBS, 2014. DVD.
2. Dear White People. Netflix, 2017.
3. Empire. Fox, 2015. DVD.
4. Everybody Hates Chris: The Complete Series. Paramount, 2017. DVD.
5. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air: The Complete Series. Warner Bros, 2017. DVD.
6. The Get Down. Netflix. Sony, Culver City, 12 Aug. 2016. DVD.
7. How To Get Away With Murder. ShondaLand. ABC, New York City, 25 Sep. 2014. DVD.
8. Lovecraft Country. HBO, 2020. DVD.
9. Marvel's Luke Cage. Netflix. ABC, New York City, 30 Sep, 2016. DVD.
10. Scandal. ABC, 2017. DVD.
11. Underground. WGN America. Sony, Culver City, 9 Mar. 2016. DVD.
12. When They See Us. Netflix. Netflix, 31 May 2019.
*Primary Screening Television Series:
1. African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross. PBS, 2014. DVD.
2. Dear White People. Netflix, 2017.
3. Empire. Fox, 2015. DVD.
4. Everybody Hates Chris: The Complete Series. Paramount, 2017. DVD.
5. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air: The Complete Series. Warner Bros, 2017. DVD.
6. The Get Down. Netflix. Sony, Culver City, 12 Aug. 2016. DVD.
7. How To Get Away With Murder. ShondaLand. ABC, New York City, 25 Sep. 2014. DVD.
8. Lovecraft Country. HBO, 2020. DVD.
9. Marvel's Luke Cage. Netflix. ABC, New York City, 30 Sep, 2016. DVD.
10. Scandal. ABC, 2017. DVD.
11. Underground. WGN America. Sony, Culver City, 9 Mar. 2016. DVD.
12. When They See Us. Netflix. Netflix, 31 May 2019.
| 評分項目 Grading Method | 配分比例 Grading percentage | 說明 Description |
|---|---|---|
| Attendance and Class ParticipationAttendance and Class Participation attendance and class participation |
15 | If you are recorded absent more than 3 class sessions or conferences (including any leave of absence), it may result in the failure of the class. |
| Analytical RepsonseAnalytical Repsonse analytical R Epson color |
25 | 4 responses are required throughout the semester. Please note that any form of plagiarism will result in the failure of the class. |
| Oral PresentationsOral Presentations oral presentations |
20 | Students will be asked to do 1-2 class presentations on the African-American films and TV series. Please note that any form of plagiarism will result in the failure of the class. |
| Group ScreenplayGroup Screenplay group screenplay |
40 | A group of 4-5 students will develop a screenplay based on their understanding of African-American history and culture. Please note that any form of plagiarism will result in the failure of the class. |
