CNTP310

This course will trace social-historical timelines, struggles, contributions and the social impact of African American media critics, image-makers, media entrepreneurs and entertainers. Starting with the contributions of Frederick Douglas and Ida B. Wells, and progressing to the contemporary works of Quincy Jones Bill Cosby, Bob Johnson( BET ) Spike Lee, Russell Simmons, Oprah Winfrey, Oggi Ogburn, Cornell West, Queen Latifah and Jay Z, we will tract and document developments and also examine the commonalities of how all people of color are affected by traditional gatekeeper "image-making" structures. The course will also re-examine the meaning of the term "minorities" and explore the social, political, cultural, economical, and psychological influences of media and parallel issues of diversity, gender and class from an African American perspective.