Race In/To the Movies III

Race In/To the Movies III, which completes the trilogy (Race In/To the Movies I & II) focuses on racial imagery and representation in Hollywood and independent films from the 1990s-2020s. In a few ways, an increase in racial representation over the past forty years seemed possible: there was an uptick in the number of people of color in lead roles; not all Black male characters died first in the film; and there was greater awareness that actors/directors/producers of color were not being recognized for their work and talent with #OscarsSoWhite in 2016. Students will initially learn a basic history of race in the cinema from the early 1900s to 1980s and then spend the rest of the quarter to assess and think critically about the shifts in cinema (blockbusters and independent films) and how they affected the representation of Black, Asian, Latino and Native Americans. Through directed seminar discussions on the films and texts and clear analytical writing, the class will identify how racial representation has changed and what factors (historical events, popular protest, greater awareness of diversity and inclusion) enabled and inhibited progress and improvement. 

The class is comprised of viewing an in-class film each week, accompanied by readings that provide historical, theoretical, and analytical contexts for each film, in addition to weekly lectures and seminar discussions.