Scribner Seminar Program
Course Description
Freedom Dreamers: Black Radical Thought and the Power of Imagination
Instructor(s): Jenni Mueller, Sociology
An exploration of the power of imagination through the lens of Black radical imagination—a tradition that reframes the past, rethinks the present, and reimagines the future. More than a reaction, Black radical imagination is a generative force rooted in centuries of resistance, creativity, and visionary world-building. This course explores that tradition through the lens of freedom dreamers—Black individuals and communities who have imagined and worked toward liberation in the face of stubborn, deep-rooted challenges. We’ll ask: How is liberation practiced in contexts designed to limit and deny it? What strategies have Black thinkers, artists, and activists used to challenge systemic racism and reimagine society? What can freedom dreamers teach us about how to show up with purpose, love, and commitment in our own lives? Through readings, films, creative work, and interactive exercises, we’ll engage voices across disciplines. Students will reflect on diverse perspectives—including their own—develop their written and spoken voice, and explore how imagination and collective action can shape more just and joyful worlds!