Black Visuality in the Digital Age
Parsons School of Design: Sch. Art and Dsgn Hist and Th
CRN: 16977
Credits: 3
Black Visuality in the Digital Age examines how vision functions as a key site for constructing, policing, and reimagining Black identity in contemporary digital culture. While diasporic expression has long engaged the tactile and the sonic, this course argues that the visual dominates the digital era, shaping how Blackness is seen, circulated, and contested online. Students will explore topics such as digital blackface, black Twitter, algorithmic bias, memes and mimetic communication, and the visual albums of Beyoncé and Solange. Readings by André L. Brock, Simone Browne, and Elizabeth Alexander will ground class discussions in critical frameworks that illuminate how Black creators, communities, and audiences negotiate visibility and power across digital platforms.
College: Parsons School of Design (PS)
Department: Sch. Art and Dsgn Hist and Th (ADHT)
Campus: New York City (GV)
Course Format: Seminar (R)
Modality: In-Person
Max Enrollment: 15
Repeat Limit: 2
Add/Drop Deadline: February 3, 2026 (Tuesday)
Online Withdrawal Deadline: April 14, 2026 (Tuesday)
Seats Available: Yes
* Seats available but reserved for a specific population.
Status: Open*
* Status information is updated every few minutes. The status of this course may have changed since the last update. Open seats may have restrictions that will prevent some students from registering. Updated: 4:34pm EDT 10/17/2025