Critical Social Inquiry 0260 - Black Women Artists&Black Cool

There is a rich history of African American women creating art in all its many forms in American cultural history. They have created music, fine and popular art, dance, and fashion that has left an indelible imprint on American culture. This course will explore iconic Black women artists and performers during the twentieth century and their impact on American culture. We will specifically look at the construction of "Black cool" and consider the influence that black women artists have had on this concept in the US and globally. This class will also provide an overview of social and political movements they were often involved in and resistance waged by them. It is an interdisciplinary course and will rely on both historical and cultural narratives as well as key theoretical lens.

Culture, Humanities, and Languages Independent Work Multiple Cultural Perspectives Writing and Research Students are expected to spend 6-8 hours weekly on work and preparation outside of class time.