COMM-3327 Black Media Studies

This seminar will explore various aspects of media stemming from and influenced by various Black communities around the world - with particular emphasis on African American media. Students will engage with original media, remixes, and scholarly materials, and critically analyze media (movies, comics, advertising, etc.) through various lenses, including critical race theory, rhetoric, visual communication, and digital media analysis. By the end of this course, students will have a deeper understanding of Black media, and its influence on wider media trends. They will also be able to apply culture-centered criticism to the media they engage with. Specific topics (such as Black pop culture, Afrofuturism, and Black queer rhetoric in media) will be offered on a rotating basis. May be taken more than once, provided topics vary. Prerequisite: COMM 1301 or consent of the instructor.