HUM 2420 Sections 02 and 04
Arts & Humanities Spring 2020
Final Synthesis Project
During the semester, we have discussed in length through class lectures, video clips, movies, music, and poetry the concept of culture and how our culture effects the way in which we view others and ourselves. Using examples from the work you’ve submitted this semester—write a 3page synthesis paper utilizing a film, documentary, or television series listed below. THIS IS NOT A REVIEW. Please DO NOT simply re-tell the storyline from the movie. The object of a synthesis paper is to take your chosen film and/or documentary and use the topics discussed in class lecture to expound upon the theme(s) of the work(s) you choose.
Films, Documentaries, Television Series
(This is just a list to give you some ideas—please feel free to choose a film/docu/tv series that you interest you):
Films:
Harriet
Black Panther (Netflix)
When They See Us (Netflix)
Amateur (Netflix)
Nappily Ever After (Netflix)
The Hate U Give
Us
Get Out
Moonlight
I Am Not Your Negro
Malcolm X
The Birth of a Nation (Nat Turner Story)
Clockers
Claudine (You Tube—free)
Foxy Brown
Super Fly
Hidden Figures
The Help
School Dazes
Higher Learning
The Best of Enemies (Ann Atwater Story)
American History X
Crash
Documentaries:
13th (Netflix)
The Kalief Browder Story (Netflix)
The Emmett Till Documentary (You Tube—free)
Surviving R. Kelly
Homecoming (Beyonce)
Lemonade (Beyonce)
Television Series:
Being Mary Jane (Netflix and BET+)
Greenleaf (Netflix and Hulu)
Scandal (Netflix and Hulu)
All American (Netflix)
Luke Cage (Netflix)
Raising Dion (Netflix)
Seven Seconds (Netflix)
Pose
Instructions:
The essay should be typed, double-spaced with 12point Times New Roman font.
3 pages
Use MLA or Chicago style citations only
NOTE: Your Bibliography page is not part of your page-count
No cover sheet is necessary
Your assignment should have in the upper left corner of the first page your:
Name
Course HUM 2420 and Section
Class days and times
Assignment Title
Due Date
The assignment is due:
Thursday, April 23, 2020 via Blackboard ONLY (a dropbox will be created to submit your assignment).
NO EMAIL SUBMISSIONS.
NOTE: Late assignments will NOT be accepted unless prior consent given by me.
Topics and Guided Discussion Questions from Class Lectures:
(These will help you formulate your thoughts and write your paper)
Culture
What is culture according to the book? Explain why culture is important in how we view our humanity and the humanity of others. Give vivid examples from class lectures, PPTs, movies, YouTube clips, poetry, your course book, and music.
Racial Profiling in America & Gender Biases
Black Men
The lives of Black men in the US have long been adversely affected by negative public perceptions. In a 2011 study, Media Representations & Impact on the Lives of Black Men and Boys, conducted by The Opportunity Agenda, negative mass media portrayals were strongly linked with lower life expectations among black men. These portrayals, constantly reinforced in print media, on television, the internet, fiction shows, print advertising and video games, shape public views of and attitudes toward men of color.
Define the ways in which Black men are characterized in pop culture, the media, society, and the U.S. criminal justice system. How does this view of Black men contrast with the concept of the Imago Dei and God’s concept of creation?
Black Women
The violence against Black men and women is disparaging. The majority of the news we hear of violence against black people are the shootings of boys and men by police. Beneath the fold or often obscured or disappeared from the headlines are the stories of black women who endure not only entrenched societal racism but a deep, engrained misogyny that degrades and devalues them. Malcolm X said, “The most disrespected woman in America is the black woman. The most unprotected woman in America is the black woman. The most neglected woman in America is the black woman.”
Define the ways in which Black women and Black men are objectified and mishandled in pop culture, the media, society, and religious institutions. How does this view of Black women contrast with the concept of the Imago Dei and God’s concept of creation?
Revelation
Define the term “revelation,” and explain how the Black experience in American culture connected to revelation. Give vivid examples from class lectures, PPTs, movies, YouTube clips, poetry, your course book, and music. Be creative and have fun! Please use examples from film/media, past assignments/tests, class discussions and lecture, You Tube clips, and music to write your synthesis of your chosen film or documentary. (HINT: There are resources on Black Board in your assignments and class lectures/presentation sections!)
