Black Performance as Social Protest from Coursera

Black performance and social activism have been a model for protest globally. It has enriched and activated cries for justice in multiple contexts. This course will help you expand your understanding of Black performance as social protest and its active effects on performance and protest today.

The arts are a potent way of responding to issues of injustice. From slavery and lynching to incarceration and disenfranchisement, Black performance has resisted oppression across several historical frames. On this course, you’ll read, watch, and listen to performances that illustrate various forms of artistic protest from the African Diaspora. You’ll cover chants of the enslaved and dances of heritage, before moving on to look at early 20th century migrations and United States protests.

You’ll identify ways in which patterns of resistance from the past contribute to ongoing social justice movements, such as Black Lives Matter. After investigating the history of Black performance as social protest, you’ll produce a reflective manifesto for achieving racial equity through performance.

What's inside

Syllabus

Slavery and The Whip

This week we will be examining Black performance and representation in the age of slavery and beyond. We will begin to assess how protest developed and solidified in Black performance in the United States.

Jim Crow and The Noose

This week we will be examining how Black performance developed in response to the socio-political events of the early 20th century including migrations and protests in the United States. We will explore patterns of resistance within Black performance of this time.

Civil Rights and The Fist

This week we will be exploring Black performance of the Civil Rights Era and beyond including how it both defined and enlivened the global movement for Civil Rights and Black Nationalism.

Black Lives Matter and The Baton

This week you will expand on the concepts of the past and explore how they affect us in the present. You will also look at modern protest movements and explore how the use of performance manifests in the modern age.

Call to Action: Manifesto and The Circle

The final week of the course will culminate in a self-directed manifesto. To prepare for this we will explore other manifestos that have come out of the performance world.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Strongly aligns with real world history

Teaches protest methods used in history

Examines a critical perspective on the topic

Develops a perspective on historical trends

Taught remotely, so the course is more accessible

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Black Performance as Social Protest with these activities:

Take an online course on the history of Black performance

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Help you gain a deeper understanding of the historical roots and development of Black performance as a form of social activism.

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Search for online courses or platforms that offer courses on the history of Black performance.
Choose a course that aligns with your interests and learning goals.
Complete the course, taking notes and engaging in discussions.

Read and review 'Black Performance and Social Activism' by Joy James

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Give you a deeper understanding of the theoretical and historical aspects of Black performance as a form of social protest.

View Contextualizing Angela Davis on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of the book.
Read the book thoroughly, taking notes and highlighting key concepts.
Write a book review that summarizes the main arguments and critiques the author's perspective.

Participate in a study group or discussion forum on Black performance as social activism

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Facilitate meaningful discussions and exchange of ideas, helping you to gain diverse perspectives and deepen your understanding of the topic.

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Join or form a study group with fellow students.
Meet regularly to discuss the course materials and share insights.
Engage in respectful and open-minded dialogue.

Four other activities

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Compile a literature review on Black Performance and Social Activism

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Help you explore and deepen your understanding of the historical and contemporary landscape of Black performance as a powerful force for social change.

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Identify reputable academic databases or libraries relevant to Black performance and social activism.
Conduct a comprehensive literature search using keywords related to the course topics.
Review and critically analyze scholarly articles, books, and other sources.
Synthesize and organize your findings into a coherent literature review.

Analyze historical and contemporary examples of Black performance as social protest

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Enhance your analytical skills and develop a keener eye for the nuances of Black performance and its role in social activism.

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Select a range of performances from different historical periods and geographical contexts.
Break down each performance into its key elements, such as the performers, the context, the message, and the impact.
Write an analysis that examines the ways in which each performance contributed to social change.

Create a video essay exploring the impact of Black performance on a specific social movement

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Allow you to creatively synthesize your knowledge and present your own unique insights into the power of Black performance as a catalyst for social change.

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Choose a specific social movement that you are interested in exploring.
Research the role that Black performance played in that movement.
Write a script for your video essay.
Produce and edit your video essay.

Design and lead a workshop on the use of Black performance as a tool for social change

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Empower you to share your knowledge and skills with others, while also fostering a deeper understanding of the transformative power of Black performance.

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Develop a workshop proposal outlining your goals, objectives, and activities.
Secure a venue and participants for your workshop.
Plan and prepare engaging and interactive activities.
Deliver your workshop, facilitating discussions and encouraging participation.
Evaluate the effectiveness of your workshop and gather feedback from participants.

Career center

Learners who complete Black Performance as Social Protest will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Social Activist

Social Activists work to bring about social change. They may organize protests, lobby elected officials, or work with community groups. This course may be useful for Social Activists who want to learn more about Black performance as social protest.

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Archivist

Archivists preserve and manage historical records. They may work in libraries, museums, or other institutions. This course may be useful for Archivists who want to learn more about Black performance as social protest.

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Professor

Professors teach and conduct research at colleges and universities. They may specialize in a particular field of study, such as history or political science. This course may be useful for Professors who want to learn more about Black performance as social protest.

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Performer

Performers entertain audiences with their singing, dancing, acting, or other artistic talents. They may work in theater, television, film, or music. This course may be useful for Performers who want to learn more about Black performance as social protest.

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Journalist

Journalists gather, analyze, and report on news and current events. They may work for newspapers, magazines, websites, or television stations. This course may be useful for Journalists who want to learn more about Black performance as social protest.

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Teacher

Teachers educate students in elementary schools, secondary schools, and colleges and universities. They may specialize in a particular subject area, such as history or English. This course may be useful for Teachers who want to learn more about Black performance as social protest.

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Writer

Writers create written content, such as books, articles, and scripts. They may work in a variety of genres, such as fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. This course may be useful for Writers who want to learn more about Black performance as social protest.

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Producer

Producers plan, organize, and oversee the production of films, television shows, and other media content. They may also work as talent agents or managers. This course may be useful for Producers who want to learn more about Black performance as social protest.

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Social Worker

Social Workers help people cope with social problems, such as poverty, homelessness, and addiction. They may provide counseling, case management, and other services. This course may be useful for Social Workers who want to learn more about Black performance as social protest.

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Lawyer

Lawyers advise and represent clients in legal matters. They may specialize in a particular area of law, such as civil rights law or criminal law. This course may be useful for Lawyers who want to learn more about Black performance as social protest.

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Public Relations Specialist

Public Relations Specialists help organizations manage their public image. They may develop and implement public relations campaigns, write press releases, and organize events. This course may be useful for Public Relations Specialists who want to learn more about Black performance as social protest.

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Historian

Historians research, analyze, and interpret the past. They may specialize in a particular period of history, such as the American Civil Rights Movement, or a particular region of the world, such as Africa. This course may be useful for Historians who want to learn more about Black performance as social protest.

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Political Scientist

Political Scientists study politics and government. They may specialize in a particular area of political science, such as American politics or international relations. This course may be useful for Political Scientists who want to learn more about Black performance as social protest.

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Cultural Anthropologist

Cultural Anthropologists study the behaviors, beliefs, and languages of different cultures. They may also study the history and development of cultures, as well as the ways in which cultures interact with each other. This course may be useful for Cultural Anthropologists who want to learn more about Black performance as social protest.

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Museum curator

Museum Curators plan and oversee exhibits and displays in museums. They may also conduct research on the museum's collection and develop educational programs for the public. This course may be useful for Museum Curators who want to learn more about Black performance as social protest.

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Black Performance as Social Protest

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