Indigenous Perspectives on Music, Film and Media

Course Code: CULT 120

Academic Year: 2024-2025

This course introduces students to how indigenous peoples (First Nations, Metis, Inuit and global indigenous peoples) are using film, media and music in numerous ways to express who they are, voice political concerns, strengthen culture, generate economic opportunities, and create important dialogues between their communities and the world. Students will be given an introductory knowledge of indigenous issues in North America, will review works by groundbreaking artists, and engage with diverse indigenous points of view as expressed through music, film and media. This course will investigate the following themes and topics: popular culture and the "Imaginary Indian"; the rise of Indigenous cinema; traditional and contemporary music; historic and musical relationships between African-American and Native American peoples, and the importance of film, media and music to shaping politics and cultures.