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.
Instructors:
English
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
This course includes:
0.23 Hours PreRecorded video
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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
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Instructors
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.
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.
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