Course Info: HACU-0333

Black Imagination, Fragments and Diffractions : We travelled the Space Way is an Advanced Seminar in Africana Studies for students working across disciplines. During this course we will address the work of scholars, writers, artists, musicians and cultural critics who engage critically, consciously, and creatively with questions of race, temporality, space, technology imagination, sci fi aesthetics and content, outer space, black history/presence/future and to mark their vision for afro future contemplation. This is a discussion based seminar that will focus on developing independent research and writing/making, engaging theoretical frameworks and interdisciplinary methodologies, as well as generating a collective body of knowledge based upon readings, viewings and deep listening. Currently, there is an increase in, and retrieval of a discussion of Afro Futurism - this provokes us to ask why is this interesting now? If AfroFuturism evolved out of a particular political context where are we now? Looking globally we see that there seems to be a bigger archive, the concept has traveled across continents, and the canon has expanded for popular audiences. In the African context there is a desire to take on post-colonial history and find other images and frameworks to intervene into the present. We will engage with the vision and research of those who were the first generation of thinkers around and artists of AfroFuturism and consider what this framework provides us now in our re-consideration of how, when, and why do BlackLivesMatter. Black Imagination is our compass rose and during this seminar we will navigate these questions: What are the creative, critical, and political forms that arise out of AfroFuture desires in the present? How do we queer the concept - or is it already queer? How do we engage with a feminist lens? How do we interpret the notion of post-race in this discussion? What are our conceptions of time, space, science, technology, culture, and race? What is the role of imagination in the lives of Black Folks in this Millennium? Students completing Division II or III with a concentration in Africana Studies are encouraged to enroll; also recommended for advanced students working across disciplines in the Social Sciences and Humanities and Arts including: visual and cultural studies, ethnic and American Studies, media and visual arts and art history, music and performance studies.