Race, Representation and the Law

This course will explore the manner in which the relationship between race, racism and the law has been represented in film. Grounded in the recognition that law has functioned not only to regulate "race" but also to construct it and to police its boundaries, this course will examine yet another layer of law's construction of race through its representation in popular media culture. Just as law has served to both construct and dismantle patterns of racial subordination, so too has film, ranging from "Birth of a Nation" to a "Separate but Equal."  To a significant extent, films about race and racism have concerned legal issues; conversely, much of how the general public understands the Civil Rights is through its representation in popular culture. Through a selection of films-both dramatic and documentary-the seminar will explore this relationship. Each film will be paired with cases or other historical material relating to the topics explored. Guest speakers will be included and some screenings will be open to the UCLA community.