With its multiple motifs and metaphorical concepts, it hardly comes as a surprise that Jordan Peele’s Get Out has inspired a college course. “The Sunken Place: Racism, Survival, and Black Horror Aesthetic” will be offered this fall at UCLA.
Taught by My Soul to Keep author Tananarive Due, the course will dissect black horror and the cinematic history of blackness.
In a recent interview with Gizmodo, Due explained that she believes Get Out can serve as a platform for greater conversations about black cinema.
“So, I decided, instead of doing the broader course, why not just break open black horror? Because Get Out is not the first black-made horror film, but it’s definitely the most successful. And I think it definitely has the ability to be culture-changing,” Due said.
As far as readings are concerned, Due is still narrowing down the list. For now, speculative fiction and sci-fi writers, such as Nisi Shawl and Nalo Hopkinson, will be included to stir discussions. For films, Due will begin with Birth of a Nation (1915) to look at the initial fear of black otherness, and continue down the timeline of black horror cinema.
The course will begin on September 28th. Click here for the full in-depth conversation with Tananarive Due about the class and the history of black horror.
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