RiseUpp Logo
Educator Logo

Black Performance as Social Protest

Explore Black performance as social activism, from slavery to modern movements. Learn how art resists oppression and drives justice.

Explore Black performance as social activism, from slavery to modern movements. Learn how art resists oppression and drives justice.

This course examines the rich history and ongoing impact of Black performance as a form of social protest. Students will explore how artistic expression has been used to resist oppression and fight for justice, from the era of slavery to contemporary movements like Black Lives Matter. The curriculum covers various forms of Black performance, including chants of the enslaved, dances of heritage, and modern protest art. It analyzes how these performances have responded to historical injustices such as slavery, lynching, incarceration, and disenfranchisement. The course highlights the global influence of Black performance activism and its role in enriching and activating cries for justice across different contexts. By studying readings, watching performances, and listening to protest art, students will gain a deep understanding of how patterns of resistance from the past continue to shape ongoing social justice movements. The course culminates in students creating a reflective manifesto for achieving racial equity through performance, encouraging them to apply their learning to contemporary issues of social justice.

English

Powered by

Provider Logo
Black Performance as Social Protest

This course includes

23 Hours

Of Self-paced video lessons

Beginner Level

Completion Certificate

awarded on course completion

2,435

What you'll learn

  • Understand the historical context of Black performance as social protest

  • Analyze various forms of artistic resistance from slavery to modern times

  • Explore the connection between past resistance movements and current social justice efforts

  • Examine the global influence of Black performance activism

  • Identify patterns of resistance in Black performance across different historical periods

  • Investigate the role of art in responding to racial injustice and oppression

Skills you'll gain

Black performance
social protest
racial equity
African Diaspora
civil rights
Black Lives Matter
artistic activism
social justice

This course includes:

0.23 Hours PreRecorded video

Access on Mobile, Tablet, Desktop

FullTime access

Shareable certificate

Get a Completion Certificate

Share your certificate with prospective employers and your professional network on LinkedIn.

Provided by

Certificate

Top companies offer this course to their employees

Top companies provide this course to enhance their employees' skills, ensuring they excel in handling complex projects and drive organizational success.

icon-0icon-1icon-2icon-3icon-4

There are 5 modules in this course

This course offers a comprehensive exploration of Black performance as a form of social protest, tracing its evolution from the era of slavery to contemporary social justice movements. The curriculum is structured to cover key historical periods and their corresponding forms of artistic resistance. Students begin by examining performances during slavery, including work songs and ring shouts, before moving on to the Jim Crow era and the artistic responses to lynching and racial oppression. The course then delves into the Civil Rights movement, exploring how music, drama, and other art forms both defined and energized the struggle for equality. Finally, it connects these historical forms of protest to modern movements like Black Lives Matter, demonstrating the continuum of artistic activism. Throughout the course, students engage with a variety of media, including readings, videos, and audio recordings, to gain a multifaceted understanding of how Black performance has consistently challenged social injustices. The course emphasizes the global impact of these artistic forms of protest and encourages students to reflect on how they can apply these lessons to current social justice efforts.

Slavery and The Whip

Module 1 · 4 Hours to complete

Jim Crow and The Noose

Module 2 · 5 Hours to complete

Civil Rights and The Fist

Module 3 · 3 Hours to complete

Black Lives Matter and The Baton

Module 4 · 5 Hours to complete

Call to Action: Manifesto and The Circle

Module 5 · 4 Hours to complete

Fee Structure

Payment options

Financial Aid

Instructors

Scott Piper
Scott Piper

503 Students

1 Course

Exploring Social Protest Through Performance

Scott Piper is the Norma L. Heyde Faculty Development Professor of Voice and Associate Professor of Music at the University of Michigan. His academic expertise intersects music, performance studies, and social movements. Professor Piper teaches the course "Black Performance as Social Protest", which examines the role of artistic expression as a platform for social and political activism.

Louise Toppin
Louise Toppin

503 Students

1 Course

Championing Music and Social Protest

Professor Louise Toppin, Professor of Music (Voice) at the University of Michigan,* combines her expertise in vocal performance with a focus on history and activism. She contributes to the powerful course "Black Performance as Social Protest" on Coursera, exploring how music and performance shape social justice movements and act as transformative platforms for expression and change.

Black Performance as Social Protest

This course includes

23 Hours

Of Self-paced video lessons

Beginner Level

Completion Certificate

awarded on course completion

2,435

Testimonials

Testimonials and success stories are a testament to the quality of this program and its impact on your career and learning journey. Be the first to help others make an informed decision by sharing your review of the course.

Frequently asked questions

Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about this course. We aim to provide clear and concise answers to help you better understand the course content, structure, and any other relevant information. If you have any additional questions or if your question is not listed here, please don't hesitate to reach out to our support team for further assistance.