GS 330 2DG - Harlem Renaissance Art/Lit in Paris

4 Credit(s)

France has long been a destination for African Americans seeking to escape to a culture that was often more racially tolerant than that of the United States, if not always equitable, and their experiences have intersected in complicated ways with both American and French ideas of freedom, liberty, and social identity. In the 1920s, prominent black American artists, writers, and musicians began to make pilgrimages to Paris and other areas of France, sometimes for a short time, and sometimes for extended stays. This course considers the rich and varied forms of literary and visual expression that were produced by these “Harlem Renaissance” artists and writers who traveled to France. At the heart of this course is travel to Paris, where we will explore cultural and historic sites that were central to the vibrant creative milieu experienced by African-American cultural figures during their sojourns in the “city of light.” We will also visit areas of Paris that are significant for African diasporic populations today. Throughout the semester, students will reflect upon what they are learning about themselves and their role in a multiracial and global society, and about their understanding of the experiences of black American artists and writers in Paris. Students will draw upon their experiences in Paris to curate their own digital archives that focus on African American expatriate experiences and aesthetic productions, and on their own and others’ experiences of metropolitan life and culture both a century ago and in our contemporary world. Requires travel to Paris during spring break; additional cost for travel.