DHUM 25A07 - Martin Luther King, the Voice of the Civil Rights Movement

Martin Luther King Jr was, in the words of president Obama, “a black preacher with no official rank or title who somehow gave voice to our deepest dreams and our most lasting ideals, a man who stirred our conscience and thereby helped make our union more perfect”. King's message of equality through nonviolent protest cemented him as the central figure of the civil rights movement. This seminar will explore King's words and eloquence, both being key to understanding his charisma. Audio and video records will be the main resources of this class as well as King's speeches and autobiographical works. We will look at King's ideas in the context of the civil rights movement and draw out the complexities of his appeal. King's voice provides a rare opportunity to understand the crucial issues of an era that shaped a good deal of contemporary America. This seminar will focus on his prophetic oratory and political thought, revolutionary at times, which will lead us to question his legacy today with regard to the enduring issues of inequality facing the US and the continuing racism against African Americans.

Sylvie LAURENT

Séminaire

English

General knowledge of American History

Spring 2021-2022

1 presentation 40% 3 quizzes 40% Participation/engagement in class 20%