Aufbauseminar BLOCKSEMINAR Framing Blackness The Representation of African American Masculinities and Femininities on the Big Screen BLOCKSEMINAR Advanced

Moving from early stereotypical representations of race on the big screen through the Civil Rights and Blaxploitation eras to more contemporary films that deal with race relations and the representation of black masculinities and black femininities, this Blockseminar will not only introduce you to a variety of Hollywood's most influential representations of African Americans, but also enable you to analyze and interpret these representations in their historical, socio-economic and aesthetic contexts.   Films to be discussed will include: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967), Shaft (1971), Jungle Fever (1991), Django Unchained (2013), Twelve Years a Slave (2013), The Color Purple (1986), Jackie Brown (1997), Precious (2013) and others.    There will be 6 meetings of varying length at the beginning of October. Schedule:   TUE: October 4, 2016: 10.30 am 2 pm    WED: October 5, 2016: 10.30 am 3 pm                 THU: October 6, 2016: 10.30 am 3 pm     TUE: October 11, 2016: 10.30 am 2 pm                                       WED: October 12, 2016: 10.30 am 4 pm             THU: October 13, 2016: 10.30 am 4 pm              This course is open to all students wishing to explore the representation of African Americans in American films. While a passion for films is encouraged, a passion for academic discussions is absolutely vital for a successful participation in this course. You are expected to attend regularly, read attentively and participate actively in class.   All theoretical readings and essays will be made available in the Semesterapparat well in advance of the first meeting. If you have any further questions about the format or the requirements, feel free to email me.   N.B.: Students not present on the first day of class will be withdrawn from the list of enrolled students, unless they have made prior arrangements with me.   Ways to do an AP: oral exam or term paper Anglistik u.Amerikanistik (BA, PO 2013) Kernfach Universität Düsseldorf WiSe 2016/17 Rond Kathrin