JCU Logo

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "CMS 355"
COURSE NAME: "Media and Genre: Black Cinema and Critical Race Theory"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2022
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Kwame Phillips
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 1:30 PM 3:30 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course aims to investigate key theoretical aspects of film, television and/or other media in relation to the question of "genre." The course will primarily examine genre in three ways: 1) as an industrial category used for marketing purposes; 2) as a system of narrative and audiovisual codes; and 3) as a contract between mediamaker and audience to deliver certain negotiated and contested expectations.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

The course is designed to provide an understanding of, and an ability to analyze and evaluate chosen media texts, from the perspective of genre, where each iteration of the course will focus on a chosen genre focus of the instructor. This semester the course focus is on Black Cinema and Critical Race Theory. Students will deconstruct the texts using a variety of critical lenses, including class, race, gender, sexuality, and disability.

 

 The course will view a range of films made by, for, and about Black peoples in global commercial cinema. Assigned films and readings will cover a developmental, historical range of Black focused films and film making practices over the past one hundred years, from a global perspective, including films from African, American and Caribbean cinema histories. The course will cover a range of critical concerns and issues, including the representation of race, class, gender and sexuality, as well as how social and economic conditions impact Black cinema production.

Each student will work on a paired final research paper and genre specific creative project that expresses their individual voice and perspective, that involves careful research and a critical understanding of the course material. Students are required to read/listen/watch critically and class sessions will be structured as seminars where student engagement is essential.

 

The course is divided into screenings and seminar discussions.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of the course, students will:

·       To describe some of the major conventions and concerns of the chosen genre and its history

·       Be a more critical consumer of media with requisite knowledge and skills

·       Have acquired advanced competence in contextualizing media objects in relationship to broader socio-cultural and historical processes

·       Be competent in advanced critical analysis of a media text

·       Be able to conduct your own research and critical interrogations of media texts.

·       Write a work of media criticism (2500-3000 words)

·       Create an academic creative project

 

***TRIGGER WARNINGS***

On occasion, films will feature uncomfortable material. Feel free to step out of class if material is too triggering. Be sure to communicate your concerns with me so we can come up with a manageable plan.

TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Attendance and discussionAttendance and discussion in the class are absolutely vital. Students are expected to be engaged and participating fully. 10
Weekly reflectionsEach week, students are required to reflect on the films and provide a question or observation based on the readings15
Literature reviewA 1-2 page review of literature relevant to the final papers/projects is required.5
Outlines A one-page outline for the midterm and final papers/projects is required. 5
Weekly screening notes 10
Final project draft  10
Final research projectChoose between a 3000-3500 word essay or a 7-10 min long video essay. APA formatting (https://johncabot.libguides.com/APAstyle) should be used for citations and bibliography. Students are required to turn in a self-grading rubric with their final assignment. OPTION 1: Write a research paper that is appropriate to the course material and that fits the thematic focus of the semester. The topic is open, but may focus on a film, a number of related films, a director, a genre, a theoretical perspective, etc. OPTION 2: Submission of an analytical video essay. The topic is open, but must fit the thematic focus of the semester. 30
Final creative project and presentationStudents are required to produce a creative project (form is open) that is connected to their final project. 15

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:

All students are expected to be active participants in their own and each other’s learning process. SIMPLY SHOWING UP IS NOT “ATTENDING” or “PARTICIPATING”.

 

•   Please make sure that all observations, comments, and criticisms are constructive, respectful, and spoken in a neutral tone.

•   Students may use laptops provided they are assisting in the educational process in the moment. Please silence all electronic devices for the consideration of others. 

•   Please do not use social media or email during class if it is not relevant to the topic/discussion at hand. 

•   Sleeping and side conversations in class are not permitted. Excessive occurrences will lead to consequences at the professor’s discretion.

•   You are allowed 2 unexcused absences. Any additional unexcused absence will lower your final grade by one-half the letter.

•   Arriving late to class is extremely disruptive both for your peers and for me. Be on time. Three late arrivals (past 15 minutes) will equal one absence.

•   Persistent absence will result in failing the course.

 

Students unwilling to comply with these policies will be asked to leave the class and will be marked absent for that class period.

 

COMMUNICATING WITH ME:

There are 3 ways to be in touch with me:

1.          Before or after class. If you would like to casually discuss homework, quizzes, essays,

absences etc. you can do so before or after class.

2.          By appointment. You can set up an appointment to meet in my office via email. I am

happy to talk with you about the course – as well as your life goals and interests.

3.          Via e-mail. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to e-mail me. I will ONLY

respond to e-mails that include a subject and a salutation. Please allow 24 hours for a response.

 

GRADING RUBRIC:

Papers will be graded using the following criteria (and judged whether excellent, good, fair, needs work or insufficient):

 

1.      Formatting (page numbers, bibliography, quotes, citations)

2.      Sources (diverse, academic)

3.      Organization (good transitions, definitions, structured argument)

4.      Adherence to assignment guidelines (follows instructions, answers questions, covers topic)

5.      Clarity (thesis stated and supported with examples, evidence, background, context)

6.      Understanding terms and grasp of concepts

7.      Originality

8.      Style (readable, lucid, flow, makes sense, creative, academic, command of English)

9.      Grammar, spelling, typos, sentence structure

10.   Effort, passion, interest

 

LATE WORK:

All work must be completed and submitted on time for full credit.

ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE

Week 1: Intro to Course // Cinematic Constructions of Blackness

Week 2: Early African American Cinema 

Week 3: Theories of Black Film 

Week 4: Documenting Blackness 

Week 5: Third Cinema

Week 6: Post-Colonial Cinema

Week 7: Black Women and Independent Cinema 

Week 8: Black Experimental Film

Week 9: Black Queer Cinema

Week 10: Blaxploitation

Week 11: Inner-city Movies

Week 12: Caribbean Cinema

Week 13: Nollywood

Week 14: Modern Blackness

 

**FINAL PAPER/PROJECT DUE DURING EXAM WEEK**

 

*Full schedule to be determined*
*ALL READINGS AND LECTURE SLIDES WILL BE AVAILABLE ON MOODLE*