This course will confront the representations and revisions of America's first, original mass entertainment, blackface minstrelsy. From its original conception as a blackened-up white man dancing as an "authentic" crippled African American to its more recent use by avant-garde theatre troupes and popular entertainment figures, minstrelsy has always facilitated social commentary on race and gender roles in America. The nineteenth century will be discussed in relation to three eras: early minstrelsy, middle minstrelsy, and late minstrelsy. Early minstrelsy will focus on the legends of the beginning of minstrelsy and its relatively benign material based on the song and dance of African-Americans; middle minstrelsy will bring to light minstrelsy's well-known racism and sexism in the era of women's suffrage and abolitionist movements; and late minstrelsy will facilitate discussions on African-Americans' participation in minstrelsy, as well as its absorption into vaudeville and musical theatre. The twentieth-century minstrelsy examples will include black musical revues (Shuffle Along), Broadway musicals (Show Boat, King and I), MGM movie musicals (Babes in Arms), and contemporary television situation comedies (Martin). Readings will be historical and contemporary. The course will follow a lecture/discussion format. Evaluation will be based on a midterm and final research papers (developed over semester), one presentation on research paper, and attendance in class and at several arranged viewings of performances on videotape. Priority given to American Studies senior majors, and then to Theatre majors.