College Seminar (101-7-1)

Topic

Photography and African American Culture

Instructors

Krista Thompson

Meeting Info

University Library 3322: Tues, Thurs 9:30AM - 10:50AM

Overview of class

This seminar introduces students to histories of photography and lens-based practices, attentive to the role the medium has played in Black communities in the United States from the mid nineteenth century to the present. Studying photographic technologies from the daguerreotype to the meme, the course explores how notions of citizenship, justice, social visibility, criminality, race, and gender have been variously negotiated through engagements with photography. We also explore the meaning of photographic forms from the U.S. in the Caribbean and Africa.

Course goals and learning objectives: This course is both an exploration of photography and a forum for students to hone the skills and habits of mind needed to succeed at Northwestern. This includes identifying and evaluating arguments and presenting ideas orally and in writing. We will also spend time discussing how to navigate the university and how to keep your balance in the years to come.

Assignments: weekly response papers, an oral presentation, and final research project.

Reading are available on the Course Canvas site.

Class Attributes

WCAS College Seminar

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Weinberg First Year Seminars are only available to first-year students.
Drop Consent: Department Consent Required