This class is cross listed with LATS-L 302 and LTAM-L 526

This course examines U.S. film and television constructions of
Hispanics and Latinos/as’ (i.e. Mexican-American/Chicano, Puerto
Rican/Boricua, and Cuban-American) counter-hegemonic responses to
mainstream representations.  Throughout the semester we will explore
the complex relationship between mainstream media constructions of
Hispanics and the Mexican, Puerto Rican, and Cuban migrations to the
U.S.  Thus, a key element in our discussions will be the
ethnic “transformations” of Hispanic stereotypes.  Finally, we will
discuss the ways in which specific Latino communities have
created ‘alternative’ and ‘mainstream’ media products to represent
the multiple and diverse identities and cultural elements that are
part of U.S. pan-national Latino groups.

	Course Objectives:
•	Consider/evaluate the differences and also the connections
between Latino communities and Latin American/Spanish Caribbean
nations and cultures.
•	Examine mainstream media representations and their re-
articulation of U.S. racial discourses in particular historical
periods.
•	Recognize the differences between various Latinos groups and
the ways in which these identities permeate media artifacts.

Course Requirement:
•	Exams (40%): There will be two scheduled exams in this
course.  The exams, in the form of short answer and essay questions,
will be based on class lectures and articles.  Each exam will be
worth 40 points.  (80 points total)
•	Papers (40%):  Two short written assignments (5-6 pages
each).  Students will give a brief presentation based on the final
paper.  (80 points total)
•	Participation (20%): While the course will be conducted
primarily as a lecture, students are expected to actively
participate in class.  As part of the class participation, students
will turn in a one-page summary of the articles which have an S next
to the citation.  Participation points will be comprised of daily
attendance, the summaries, and the final class presentation.  (40
points total)

Course Readings:
A reading packet:  The packet includes articles/book chapters from
authors in the areas of media studies (López; Noriega; Ramírez-Berg;
Shohat and Stam; Valdivia, among others), anthropology (Dávila;
Duany; Limón); comparative literature (Pérez-Firmat; Negrón-
Muntaner); history and sociology (Gutierrez; Omi and Winant).