Welcome to the (Re)imagining Black Diasporas Seminar!
In this seminar, we will use Afrofuturism as a theoretical framework to analyse the representations of Black diasporas in various cultural texts. Afrofuturism is an aesthetic that presents an alternative vision of the Black body’s existence across different contexts. It combines elements of African cultural practices with speculative fiction to reframe the unjust realities faced by Black diasporas. Throughout this seminar, we will not only explore Afrofuturistic narratives but also actively engage with them, drawing from materials across both continental and diasporic Africa to understand how Blackness is represented and negotiated. We will use three cultural texts as key case studies to guide our analysis: “Mother of Invention” (2018) by Nnedi Okorafor, “Dirty Computer” (2018) by Janelle Monáe, and “Black Panther” (2018), directed by Ryan Coogler. Afrofuturism serves as a critical form of social commentary, as it addresses marginalising power structures and intersectional identity-based hierarchies. Therefore, we will incorporate theories and perspectives from gender, race, class, nation, and disability studies throughout the seminar. Assessments will include an individual presentation on a topic of your choice, a reflection essay, and a term paper (if applicable). Course materials will be posted on MOODLE.
- Kursleiter*in: James Paradza