This course examines the history of video activism beginning with the introduction of the porta pak in the late 1960's, the development of video collectives, activist and public access television and culminating in video's role in the WTO and the events preceding and following September 11th. Through readings, screenings and discussions, you will examine the blurring lines between art, documentary, journalism and activism. Topics include but are not limited to the infusion of identity politics (shifts created through feminist, queer and race theory), youth action in the 1990's, the act of recording as defense, movement from vérité to personal documentary, and issues of distribution.
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