Special Topics in Art of the Americas (367-0-1)
Topic
African American Photography: From Frederick Dougl
Instructors
Emma Mcmath Kennedy
Meeting Info
University Library 3722: Mon, Wed 11:00AM - 12:20PM
Overview of class
Since the early days of photography African Americans have specifically engaged the medium to navigate African diasporic identity. Seminal Black thinkers such as Frederick Douglass and W. E. B. DuBois argued for photography's importance in the construction of African American identity. Organized chronologically, this course traces the shifting social status of African Americans from the 1850s to today and examines the relationship between African Americans and the medium of photography. This chronology will also help us map the rapid development of different photographic technologies over 150+ years. Putting primary sources in conversation with art historical texts, this course will introduce students to major thinkers that have contributed to African American art history including Frederick Douglass, James Baldwin, Angela Davis, Deborah Willis, Shawn Michelle Smith, bell hooks, Saidiya Hartman, and Tina Campt. While focused on the intersection of African American identity and photography, we will also draw connections to the broader African diaspora. Students will have the opportunity to examine art in person at The Block Art Museum and/or the Art Institute of Chicago which each hold important key photographs related to the course topic. Through course discussion, short writing assignments, and visits to local art collections, we will explore these topics together and strengthen core art historical skills of visual literacy, analytic writing, and critical reading skills.
Class Materials (Required)
No textbook required.
Class Notes
Waitlist information for this course: https://arthistory.northwestern.edu/courses/2024-2025/registration_waitlist.html
Enrollment Requirements
Enrollment Requirements: Pre-registration -- Reserved for Art History majors and minors, & Art Theory majors and minors.