Exploring the Phenomenon of Afro-Futurism in Film in Decolonizing the University Curriculum

• In Event: Fairmont Roundtable Session Eighteen
  In Roundtable Session: Afro-Futurism, Freedom Dreaming, and Knowledge Production in Education (Table 3)

Abstract

A literature review has found a paucity of empirical research exploring ways in which a film that employs Afrofuturism could be used to advance the decolonization project in teaching and learning practices in South African higher education. This paper attempted to uncover the attitudes and emotions of pre-service teachers who, after viewing the film Black Panther, which employs Afrofuturism, were or were not, able to make sense of and/or re-imagine their identities and relationships with others in the context of Afrofuturism, and to what extent. The film was used to attempt to advance the idea of Afrofuturism in the university curriculum and to uncover the lived experiences, social realities and ideas of identity of particular students from marginalized communities.

Author

• Zayd Waghid, Cape Peninsula University of Technology
  Presenting Author