INTRODUCTION TO AFRICAN-AMERICAN PERFORMANCE

THEATRE 357

Analysis of sensitive subject matter in U.S. workplace and school/community settings through theatre and drama. Examines race relations, cultural diversity, gender, sexual orientation and other topics in plays, films, and current events. Develops theatrical models to encourage healthy dialogue.

AFRICAN/AFROAMER 413

A critical study of the major works.

AFROAMER 225

Introduction to the history of African American theater and major African American playwrights and actors.

AFRICAN/AFROAMER 813

Historical and critical study of the classics of contemporary African and Caribbean literary drama written in English. Thematic issues include the African encounter with Europe, postcolonial disillusionment and the betrayal of ideals, and also stylistic matters as the relationship(s) between traditional drama and other performance forms, and modern drama written in European languages. Considers theories and critical approaches to understanding the cross-continental drama traditions and their contexts. Examines the long histories of cultural, performance, and theatrical relationships between Africa and the Caribbean and how the relationships have been shaped by race and economics, past and present. Considers and questions conventional claims made by others and your own assumptions; stimulates analytical thinking about identity.

AFROAMER 303

Study of the interpretations of the African American past conveyed via theatrical films and television; relationship to other images of blacks found throughout the popular culture; relationship to societal trends.