Dimensions of Dialogue

DIMENSIONS OF DIALOGUE: POLITICS & PROTEST IN
EXPERIMENTAL ANIMATION
This screening-based course will survey
experimental animation approaches to politics and
protest from a radically diverse array of
traditions, regions, historical periods,
techniques, and themes. We will explore ways that
animators have fused their politics and practice
throughout history from the silent era to our
current moment, and become familiar with numerous
ways in which artists have approached political
issues and/or engaged in protest, analysis, and
criticism through their animation practices.
Concepts and themes to be explored will include
issues of race and racism, news and media, police
and government, censorship, feminism and sexism,
1960s radicalism, consumerist critique, sexuality,
material and formal explorations, queer identity
and expression, legacies of colonialism and
imperialism, state-sponsored propaganda, and
animation produced under oppressive regimes, among
other topics. Class discussion will be strongly
encouraged. Assignments will include some
reasonable weekly writing and readings, a modest
amount of outside class viewing, and at least one
research-based paper.