This course exposes students to the key figures, texts and concepts that constitute Black Feminism. In this course we will establish a solid understanding of Black feminist thought and related theoretical concepts by exploring the lived experiences of Black women. We will develop a historical understanding of Black feminism and how it supports intersectionality. We will assess new schools of thought like hip-hop feminism and trace the influence of Black feminism in critical race theory and Women's Studies as a whole.

Elective

This seminar looks at images and representations of black women in American films. Students will trace, discuss, critique, and analyze films that feature black female leads and tell stories of Black womanhood to interrogate how these representations reinforce and/or defy stereotypes. Students will learn the common tropes placed on Black women (Mammy, Sapphire, Jezebel), situate them historically, and learn how they affect how Black women are portrayed. Students will assess aspects of film such as director's gender and race, camera angles, script choices etc. Students will consider issues including, but not limited to, who is writing the scripts, who is directing/producing the films, whether or not the film is based on a true story or novel, when the film first premiered (and the social/cultural climate), etc. A minimum of 7 films will be watched during the course and each film will be supplemented with required reading to help contextualize the film. Written film reviews and screening sketches will be required throughout the course.

Elective

Topics in History, Philosophy, and the Social Sciences is an introductory course in which students are encouraged to develop the skills in critical thinking, reading, and writing that are common to the disciplines represented in the Department of History, Philosophy, and the Social Sciences (HPSS). Sections focus on the topics typically addressed within the department's disciplines; through discussion about key texts and issues, students are introduced to important disciplinary methodologies and controversies. All sections have frequent writing assignments, which, combined with substantial feedback from HPSS faculty, afford students the opportunity to develop the strategies and techniques of effective writing. There are no waivers for HPSS-S101 except for transfer students who have taken an equivalent college course.

- First-year students are registered by the Division of Liberal Arts.

- Transfer and upper-level students should register for one of the evening sections that are offered in the Fall and Spring semester.

Major Requirement | BFA 

Topics in History, Philosophy, and the Social Sciences is an introductory course in which students are encouraged to develop the skills in critical thinking, reading, and writing that are common to the disciplines represented in the Department of History, Philosophy, and the Social Sciences (HPSS). Sections focus on the topics typically addressed within the department's disciplines; through discussion about key texts and issues, students are introduced to important disciplinary methodologies and controversies. All sections have frequent writing assignments, which, combined with substantial feedback from HPSS faculty, afford students the opportunity to develop the strategies and techniques of effective writing. There are no waivers for HPSS-S101 except for transfer students who have taken an equivalent college course.

- First-year students are registered by the Division of Liberal Arts.

- Transfer and upper-level students should register for one of the evening sections that are offered in the Fall and Spring semester.

Major Requirement | BFA 

This course exposes students to the key figures, texts and concepts that constitute Black Feminism. In this course we will establish a solid understanding of Black feminist thought and related theoretical concepts by exploring the lived experiences of Black women. We will develop a historical understanding of Black feminism and how it supports intersectionality. We will assess new schools of thought like hip-hop feminism and trace the influence of Black feminism in critical race theory and Women's Studies as a whole.

Elective