BASC80022 - Race, Power Dynamics, and Oppression in the Film "Black Panther"

Course Description

The hugely successful film Black Panther was both entertaining and empowering for black Americans. But the film also connects to themes that go deep in our culture: slavery, oppression, the Black Power movement, even gender issues. Director Ryan Coogler deliberately set the opening of the film in his native Oakland, California, where the Black Panther political movement was founded by Huey Newton and Bobby Seale after the assassination of Malcolm X. In this class we will take a close look at several scenes in the film that highlight these deeper issues. Then we will look at well-known author Ta-Nehisi Coates’ 2017 comic book version. Finally, since characters T’Challa and Killmonger have been compared to Martin Luther King and Malcom X, we will conclude with short writings from each of those great figures. Please watch the film before the first class.

Course Outline

Course Syllabus

Notes

Online registration deadline: Thursday, August 25 pm CT

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