This course surveys the history, theories, debates, and controversies that have characterized Black Cinema, with an emphasis on the relationship between films produced by the African Diaspora, discovering the similarities of culture, politics, and cinematic technique. We will question whether Eurocentric film scholarship has effectively defined the fertile terrain of films produced by Africans, African Americans, The Black Caribbean, and Black Brazilian cinemas. This cinematic journey will investigate the works of pioneering filmmakers Oscar Micheaux, The LA Rebellion, Horace Ove, Ousmane Sembene, and the so-called Blaxploitation period of the 1970’s. We will also examine the far-reaching films produced by an incredibly talented group of Black women filmmakers who are working both in Hollywood and independently like Kasi Lemmons, Cheryl Dunye, Euzhan Palcy, and Mati Diop. Through lecture, screenings, discussion and student response, this course will survey the key flashpoints of International Black Cinema as it continues to create an evolving dialogue about the history, theory, cinematic value and political debates within the African Diaspora.