File, Digital Video

Delany
4-11-08
Masterclass
#1
Master

Digital video taken from a MiniDV tape containing raw footage of Samuel R. Delany's masterclass presentation at Marygrove College, held on April 11, 2008 in conjunction with the Annual Bauder Contemporary American Authors Lecture.

The recording begins with some introductory words from Dr. Donald Levin, the Chair of the Department of English and Modern Language. Afterward, Dr. Loretta G. Woodard of the English Department provides an introduction for Samuel R. Delany.

Delany starts hispresentation by reflecting on his family history and his grandfather's emancipation and works as a minister. He then talks about the importance of education and the role of students, and approaching the vocabulary of science fiction. Delany next reads an excerpt from "The Star Pit." After the reading, he asks the attendees for their understanding of the setting it describes. Next, Delany prepares to read an excerpt from "Atlantis: Model 1924." but instead opts to take questions from the students. In his responses he discusses the social commentary of "Aye, and Gomorrah...," and "The Star Pit," the telepathic powers of the protagonist of "Corona," prefiguring the internet in "We, in Some Strange Power's Employ, Move on a Rigorous Line," the social structure depicted of "The Star Pit," Black representation in science fiction and the media broadly, bringing interpretative frames to a work, underwriting versus overwriting descriptive detail, what drew him to science fiction. The Delany then calls for the session to take a ten minute break, and the recording is also paused.

When the recording resumes, Delany sets up a reading from "Atlantis: Model 1924," with a story about his father's first visit to New York City. He then discusses the concept of identifying personal origins. He then calls on members of the audience again, which leads Delany to into responses about nominalism, the title of "Aye, and Gomorrah," the concept of personal origin expressed in the reading as it relates to nationality. The recording ends with the conclusion of the question and answer period.