This seminar explores African American family life through the use of films as “case studies”. Using classic and contemporary films that depict diverse family structures, social classes, and experiences within African American families, we will examine the internal dynamics of family life. These include family formation patterns, dating-mate selection, couples’ relations, parenting, male-female/gender relations, child, adolescent, and adult development, family routines and practices, family communication, and family stress, coping and resilience. We will also consider how families interact with larger contexts, such as the local neighborhood and key institutions (schools, workplace, social service agencies). Films will be supplemented with readings from diverse disciplines (African American Studies, Anthropology, Education, Family Studies, Psychology, and Sociology) that allow us to examine substantive, theoretical, and policy issues in the study of African American families.
CONTACT: DR. JARRETT rjarrett@illinois.edu