WGST 07/First Year Seminar: Representations of African-American Women in American Cinema
This course examines the representation of black women in American cinema — or lack thereof — as evidence of the dominant cultures’ historical insistence on the invisibility and powerlessness of African American femininity. Why is the black female voice inherently missing in Hollywood? What are the stereotypes? Who profits from their absence, powerlessness and silence? Films screened include works by directors Oscar Micheaux, Gordon Parks, Spike Lee, Julie Dash, Kasi Lemmons, Steven Spielberg, John Singleton, and Cheryl Dunye. Students will also be introduced to independent black women filmmakers who articulate an empowering, active black female voice through their progressive, substantive and universally-compelling representations of black femininity — in spite of the dominance of western imperialist culture and the formidable commercial constraints of the industry. Dist: ART.
Professor Nottage
10A-hour