231095 Representations of Racism in American Film and Literature (StGr) (WiSe 2021/2022)

This study group will focus on the topic of racism in American film and literature; a key text will be Angie Thomas’s 2017 young adult novel “The Hate U Give”.

We will however begin the work of the group by exploring the mechanisms of racism by considering the historical origins of racism in the US, the Black Power movement of the 1960s and beyond, as well as recent events that have given rise to the BLM movement. Our exploration of racist events could include role-plays re-enacting key moments from trials and hearings related to the events. Against this background, later on participants (alone or in a small group) will present a film, novel, TV series etc. that they have chosen, and, with the rest of the group, analyse representations of racism in the work. These presentations, with the presenters also leading the subsequent discussion, will be the basis for getting study credits. As we will be deciding together on the programme for the group, and discussing material and exchanging opinions in every session, it is imperative for everyone to participate actively.