SAC 380/Spanish 380/AmCult 380

Studies in Transnational Media

Drawing on writings in cultural and communications theory and criticism in English and Spanish, this course provides a critical introduction to various forms of transnational media: films, videos, and television programs that have been produced for international consumption, and that reflect a cross-cultural dynamic in their content and design. An emphasis is placed on film co-productions, television flows, and popular video in the Spanish-and Portuguese-language world. Topics may include the impact of migration and grass-roots movements (such as pan-indigenism) on the production and distribution of this media; intersections between music, video practice, and television industries; transnational genres, such as reality shows and the soap opera; the effects of international trade agreements (GATT, NAFTA, MERCOSUL) on transnational media flows; and emerging tensions within the Latino/a diaspora between "community" and "nation." Taught in English. Drawing on writings in cultural and communications theory and criticism in English and Spanish, this course provides a critical introduction to various forms of transnational media: films, videos, and television programs that have been produced for international consumption, and that reflect a cross-cultural dynamic in their content and design. An emphasis is placed on film co-productions, television flows, and popular video in the Spanish-and Portuguese-language world. Topics may include the impact of migration and grass-roots movements (such as pan-indigenism) on the production and distribution of this media; intersections between music, video practice, and television industries; transnational genres, such as reality shows and the soap opera; the effects of international trade agreements (GATT, NAFTA, MERCOSUL) on transnational media flows; and emerging tensions within the Latino/a diaspora between "community" and "nation." Taught in English.

back