From immigration debates to Emmy-winning television, Latina/os are a prevalent yet often misunderstood fixture of our contemporary mediascape. The course examines the ongoing presence and participation of Latina/os in the U.S. media from both a historical and contemporary perspective. Examining the relationships between socio-historical contexts, images, and industry discourse, we will also consider the intertwined questions of race, nation, gender, and stereotype through case studies of individual stars, from Carmen Miranda to Sofia Vergara. While analyzing representations of Latina/os in mainstream film and television, the course also considers the broad range of media through which Latina/os have represented themselves: experimental film, documentary, the alternative press, social media, and music cultures. Through this survey of cultural production, students will become versed in histories of immigration, various modes of media activism, the relation of Latina/os to conceptions of race, the diverse experiences of different national origin groups, and contemporary issues facing this population.

Course Requirements:

Requirements include several quizzes, short writing assignments, and a final paper.

Intended Audience:

This course is ideal for undergraduate students interested in media histories, Latina/o culture, and current events.

Class Format:

Enrollment in the lecture section will result in auto-enrollment in the film screening lab section.