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1 Dr. Todd Boyd CTCS 510: Reagan's America (Crack Nation) Wednesdays (Fall 2012) Seminar 1:00-3:50 /SCA 216 Screening 4:00-6:5

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1 Dr. Todd Boyd CTCS 510: Reagan's America (Crack Nation) Wednesdays (Fall 2012) Seminar 1:00-3:50 /SCA 216 Screening 4:00-6:5 Dr. Todd Boyd CTCS 510: Reagan’s America (Crack Nation) Wednesdays (Fall 2012) Seminar 1:00-3:50 /SCA 216 Screening 4:00-6:50/SCA 112 Dr. Boyd’s office hours: Wednesdays & Thursdays 12:00-12:45 Office hour meetings are by appointment. To make an appointment for Dr. Boyd’s office hours call (213.740.3334) or visit the Critical Studies main office (SCA 320). Course Description: This course will study cinema, media, and popular culture during the “Reagan Era,” with a specific focus on the politics of the crack cocaine epidemic that began in the mid 1980s. Using the landmark N.W.A. album Straight Outta Compton (1988) as a cultural touchstone, the course will investigate the relationship between the image of Ronald Reagan’s presidency (“Reaganomics”), the influx of cocaine into American cities, and the ensuing “crack culture” that emerged and came to define this era. This course will highlight a number of cultural themes, historical issues, political controversies, and other societal trends, including; the Iran/Contra scandal, the prison industrial complex, gang culture, the death of basketball star Len Bias, gangsta rap, hip hop culture, hip hop cinema, the 1988 presidential election, the travails of Washington DC mayor Marion Barry, the LA riots, the Rampart scandal, and the murders of Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls, among other topics. These topics will be pursued in the interest of addressing larger questions such as; what role have drugs historically played in American society? To what extent do drugs reveal broader issues relative to race and class? What is the connection between politics, private enterprise, and issues of “law & order”? How have all of these issues been reflected in popular culture? Course Requirements: 1.Oral Presentation on one of the films screened in class: You will select one of the course screenings for your in-class presentation. This presentation should discuss the film and its relationship to the themes of the class. This presentation should avoid plot summary and instead focus on critical analysis with an eye towards connecting the film to the larger social, cultural, and political issues that exist outside the film. You should make connections to comparable films. Your presentation should also prompt class discussion on the issues at hand. You will also submit a detailed outline of the film and other appropriate issues that define your presentation. 2. Oral Presentation on one of the readings assigned for the class: You will select one of the assigned readings for your in-class presentation. This presentation should discuss the book from a critical standpoint and apply the ideas to the themes and issues of 1 the class. You should make connections to comparable books/articles. Your presentation should prompt class discussion on the topic and its related issues. You will also submit a detailed outline of the book and other appropriate issues that define your presentation. 3. Seminar length paper on a topic of your choice that reflects the concerns of the class. You must choose a topic, develop the ideas and meet with Dr. Boyd to have the topic approved before turning in your paper. This meeting must take place no later than (November 7) so that you will have ample time to work on the paper itself. Finals papers are due December 12. 4. Attendance and participation: As this is a graduate course, your regular attendance and participation in the course is assumed and expected. Required Texts: Alexander, Michelle. The New Jim Crow Boyd, Todd. Am I Black Enough for You? Bunch, Will. Tear Down this Myth Cockburn, Alexander. Whiteout: The CIA, Drugs and the Press Davis, Mike. City of Quartz Grim, Ryan. This is Your Country on Drugs Jones, Jill. Hep Cats, Narcs and Pipe Dreams Perlstein, Rick. Nixonland Rogin, Michael. Ronald Reagan the Movie Shakur, Sanyika. Monster Sullivan, Randall. Labyrinth Webb, Gary. Dark Alliance Wilentz, Sean. The Age of Reagan Course Schedule: August 29 Screening: Superfly, Gordon Parks Jr. (1972) and Mr. Untouchable, Marc Levin (2007) Reading: Nixonland September 5 Screening: Cocaine Cowboys, Billy Corben (2007) Reading: Nixonland, cont. September 12 Screening: Blow, Ted Demme (2001) Reading: The Age of Reagan September 19 Screening: Salvador, Oliver Stone (1986) Reading: The Age of Reagan, cont. September 26 Screening: Scarface, Brian De Palma (1983) Reading: Ronald Reagan the Movie October 3 Screening: Miami Vice, Michael Mann (2006) and Miami Vice (episodes from the 1980s television program) Reading: Tear Down this Myth October 10 Screening: The Two Escobars, Jeff Zimbalist (2010) and Bloods & Crips: Made in America, Stacey Peralta (2008) Reading: Hep Cats, Narcs and Pipe Dreams 3 October 17 Screening: The Nine Lives of Marion Barry, Dana Flor (2009) and New Jack City, Mario Van Peebles (1991) Reading: Dark Alliance October 24 Screening: Boyz N the Hood, John Singleton (1991) and Uprising: Hip Hop and the LA Riots, Mark Ford (2012) Reading: This is Your Country on Drugs and Monster October 31 Screening: Menace II Society, The Hughes Brothers (1993) Reading: City of Quartz November 7 Screening: Jungle Fever, Spike Lee (1991) Reading: Am I Black Enough for You? November 14 Screening: Biggie and Tupac, Nick Broomfield (2002) and Beef, Peter Spirer (2003) Reading: Labyrinth November 28 Screening: Training Day, Antoine Fuqua (2001) Reading: Whiteout: The CIA, Drugs and the Press December 5 Screening: The Wire (episodes from the television program) Reading: The New Jim Crow .
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