AFR 270
Digital Diaspora: Interrogating Race, New Media, and Black Cultural Production Online Fall 2014
Division II
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Class Details

Diaspora as a concept can be examined as a distinct community, a geographic positioning, and as a set of social movements and rhetorical practices. How does globalization via information technology (mobile devices, Internet, smart-objects), trouble this form of identity-making? This course explores digital experiences in the Africa Diaspora and discusses the intersection of race and new media. We will examine black aesthetics in technology use (voice, mobile devices, Twitter), development of black virtual communities (Instagram, Black blogosphere), and digital crises and racial panics (Trayvon Martin, Jenna 6). We will also discuss and critique Africa’s ‘leap-frogging’ into modernity via IT; and older traditions of science and technology emerging out the black experience. Students will be active in leading the discussion, which will take place via physical and digital mediums. Evaluation will be based on contribution in the physical classroom and online. A midterm paper and final project will attempt to foster data literacy and skills-building, using open source tools to engage with contemporary social problems. There will also be weekly readings and assignments. No prior knowledge of coding required. Students must have regular access to a computer and Web camera.
The Class: Format: seminar
Limit: 12
Expected: 12
Class#: 1111
Grading: OPG
Requirements/Evaluation: weekly reading assignments and short writing assignments, one midterm paper (7-10 pages) and a final project (for example, building a Web site or designing a mobile app).
Extra Info: may not be taken on a pass/fail basis
Prerequisites: none; no need for background in computer science
Distributions: Division II

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