Romi N Crawford

Topics may include eighteenth-, nineteenth-, or twentieth-century American literature, literature by women, or African American literature. Topics and periods vary.

In the last few decades there have been concerted efforts, on the part of historians and theorists, to analyze how the concept of race bears on the production of American art. Only recently has serious attention been given to analyzing the significance of race, as a discursive field of knowledge, to the production of American film. In the course we will investigate how the intersection of race and film, during a particularly salient period in American (film) history (1910-1937), works towards the production of a 'race film' industry. The course explores 'race films' as a genre-a genre used to describe independent filmmaking from within the African-American and Jewish communities respectively during the early part of the 20th century. The course also forces the historical relation of African-American and Jewish 'race films' to each other, as well as their relation to the mainstream filmmaking industry of the period. There will be regular screenings of 'race films' from both the Jewish and African-American traditions; an ongoing examination of audience, and a critical engagement of concepts such as 'race' and ethnicity.

In the last few decades there have been concerted efforts, on the part of historians and theorists, to analyze how the concept of race bears on the production of American art. Only recently has serious attention been given to analyzing the significance of race, as a discursive field of knowledge, to the production of American film. In the course we will investigate how the intersection of race and film, during a particularly salient period in American (film) history (1910-1937), works towards the production of a 'race film' industry. The course explores 'race films' as a genre-a genre used to describe independent filmmaking from within the African-American and Jewish communities respectively during the early part of the 20th century. The course also forces the historical relation of African-American and Jewish 'race films' to each other, as well as their relation to the mainstream filmmaking industry of the period. There will be regular screenings of 'race films' from both the Jewish and African-American traditions; an ongoing examination of audience, and a critical engagement of concepts such as 'race' and ethnicity.

This independent study program for Master of Arts in Modern Art History, Theory, and Criticism candidates is taken in the final term of coursework.

This independent study course is a continuation of Thesis I and is taken with the student's primary thesis advisor to facilitate completion of the thesis. Research and approval (by the advisor and the rest of the student's committee) of the thesis topic and approach should have been completed during Thesis I. Students work closely with a thesis advisor during this semester in addition to scheduling meetings with other faculty on his or her committee whose input may prove useful in their research. This course covers the final completion and submission of the master's thesis. It is required for the Master of Arts in Visual and Critical Studies.

This independent study course is a continuation of Thesis I and is taken with the student's primary thesis advisor to facilitate completion of the thesis. Research and approval (by the advisor and the rest of the student's committee) of the thesis topic and approach should have been completed during Thesis I. Students work closely with a thesis advisor during this semester in addition to scheduling meetings with other faculty on his or her committee whose input may prove useful in their research. This course covers the final completion and submission of the master's thesis. It is required for the Master of Arts in Visual and Critical Studies.