FAIR 304A - Comparative Cultural Studies

Using film as a primary source of documentation, this class will take a critical look at the social constructions of race, class, gender, and sexuality as represented in American popular culture, both historically and in contemporary society. More specifically, this class focuses on the experiences of subjugated/colonized and minoritized people in the United States as portrayed in popular media. The purpose of F304a is severalfold: to help students develop the skills to critically read media as “texts”; identify how that medium has disseminated norms such as whiteness, masculinity, femininity, and disability; to learn what are social constructions and the concepts of race, class, gender and sexuality based on seminal works by Adrienne Rich, Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, and Kimberle Crenshaw, among others; and to be aware of ongoing violent processes such as genocide, white supremacy, and criminalizing immigrants. Students will learn that American media has long masked structures of racism, sexism and homophobia through song and dance, exploding cars, and love stories, but has also become an important tool for social justice and activism as evidenced by Chasnoff’s documentary “Code of the Freaks,” and Ava DuVernay’s “13th.” Through readings texts, watching films, and participating in large and small group discussions, the class will also grapple with broader questions about race, privilege and power.

Credits: 4
Grade Mode: S/U
GUR Attributes: BCGM