To help prepare our weekly classroom discussions, students should write a two-page summary of the assigned readings every week, beginning with Week 2. The reflection papers should address the following:
*For the weeks focusing specifically on the film and its characters, students should assess:
Example: Queen Ramonda’s crown is inspired by a Zulu isicholo, which among the Zulu, signifies that a woman is married. How does this reference to an isicholo help tell Ramonda’s story? What is potentially left out or ignored from its original context in its translation to film?
Graduate Students - Final Reflection Presentation
In addition to the final reflection podcast, graduate students will be expected to provide a 10-minute presentation via Zoom, addressing how this class has influenced their own research and/or artistic productivity. As the majority of graduate students are studio majors, this means that each student will need to address how the course has made them think differently about the creative process and their own artwork. As part of this presentation, grad students are required to share examples of their artwork, along with a concise and thoughtful artist’s statement (which can be shared orally). If a graduate student is not in the studio art program, they will have to discuss their research interests and share how the theories and readings from this course have influenced their research practice.
Due Date: December 3rd, via ZOOM (during regularly scheduled meeting time)
Final Reflection Podcast
In place of a final exam, you are expected to record a 15-minute podcast discussing:
You should begin your podcast by introducing yourself and your perspective, followed by a brief summation of your initial thoughts and reactions to the film (this section should be no longer than five minutes). The remaining ten minutes should focus on one the film’s characters, assessing how allusions to specific forms of African dress enhance, reiterate, complicate or conflict with the character’s on-screen persona and status.
For example: If a student chose T’Chaka (T’Challa’s father and the previous Black Panther), how does his clothing and bodily adornments indicate his status as a leader and ancestor? Are there any forms of African dress that, in your opinion, would have functioned as stronger indicators of his status or personality, or does his dress appropriately reflect his social status? You may choose to analyze more than one costume to support your perspective, but limit your assessment to only one character from the film. You may choose a character discussed in class, or one that is not extensively addressed. You should rely primarily on readings from the course, although you can certainly use online scholarly resources to enhance your arguments.
Remember, although podcasts may sound casual, they are rehearsed and carefully written to ensure clarity and relatability. To that end, there will be three submission dates, to help ensure that you are working towards an informed and thoughtful final project:
The recording can be done on a computer or cell phone, but make sure that there is limited background noise and that you speak clearly and loudly. You will likely need to practice your podcast several times (and possibly record several times) before you arrive at the final podcast you submit. You will be required to submit your final, written script (via e-mail) as part of your final project.