Images of African Americans in Film during Jim Crow

elective courses
proseminars

Classroom

In this course, we will explore the contested images of African Americans in American film from the earliest movies through those produced in the Civil Rights era. We look at the ways both white and black film makers created and perpetuated demeaning stereotypes as well as how those stereotypes were challenged. We will consider the ways in which careers of African American performers and film makers represented both the limitations and the possibilities of making a living in movies. Finally, we will analyze how these films represent a chronicle of African American society and culture during the time in which Jim Crow ruled and was eventually destroyed.

In this course, we will explore the contested images of African Americans in American film from the earliest movies through those produced in the Civil Rights era. We look at the ways both white and black film makers created and perpetuated demeaning stereotypes as well as how those stereotypes were challenged. We will consider the ways in which careers of African American performers and film makers represented both the limitations and the possibilities of making a living in movies. Finally, we will analyze how these films represent a chronicle of African American society and culture during the time in which Jim Crow ruled and was eventually destroyed.

Topics:

Week 1: The social and cinematic context of the first movies

Week 2: Early cinema and images: Uncle Tom's Cabin

Week 3: Establishing the stereotypes: The Birth of a Nation

Week 4: Oscar Micheaux and racial uplift: Within Our Gates

Week 5: Harlem Renaissance and film

Week 6: Black silents

Week 7: Race and the Production Code

Week 8: Race movies

Week 9: Making Genres Black

Week 10: Hollywood Stars: The Careers of Steppin' Fetchit and Hattie McDaniel

Week 11: Radical: the career of Paul Robeson

Week 12: World War II: The Negro Soldier

Week 13: Hollywood goes all black: Stormy Weather

Week 14: The decline of race movies

Week 15: Civil Rights and the Noble Negro: The early career of Sidney Poitier

Knowledge:

After taking this course, students will have knowledge of

African American life in the Jim Crow era (1890-1965)

how Hollywood films portrayed African Americans

how African Americans portrayed themselves on film

Skills

After taking this course, students will have deepened their skills in

conducting original research on cinema

communicating the results of that research in good English prose

analyzing films as historical documents

Competences

After taking this course, students will

have a deeper understanding of the role of movies in perpetuating racial stereotypes

be able to identify and recognize the deployment of those stereotypes

have a better understanding of the historical background of current race relations in the contemporary US

Students are expected to attend class prepared to discuss the assigned readings and the film(s) under review. As a part of your grade, you will need to submit answers to questions about the readings and films for 5 different weeks. Each week, the instructor will post questions about the next week’s readings and film in an online forum on the COME platform, your answers are due by midnight of the Monday BEFORE the readings and film are to be discussed in class. Each answer is worth 6 points for a total of 30 points (20% of your grade). Only answers posted in the online forum and on time will count, and only those who attend class on the day the answers will be discussed will earn points for their answer. Additionally, you will write an 8-12 page analyzing two films (100 points, 66%). You will also be expected to make a presentation of your research in class of 10-15 minutes during the last three weeks of class (20 points, 14%).