Schedule

We will discuss readings on the date they are listed. You are responsible for completing readings before each class meeting to ensure active participation. You are also expected to screen films before class (unless otherwise noted). Class schedule is subject to change throughout the semester; changes will be announced in class.

Notice: The PDFs provided are protected by copyright law and may only be used for personal, non-commercial and educational use. They may not be copied or shared with others.

August 28: Introduction

August 30: Who are these Latinas?
Defining Latinidad & key concepts for the semester.
READ: Dávila, A. “Talking Back: Spanish Media and U.S. Latinidad” (from Latino/a Popular Culture). 

Overview of Latinas in Film
September 4: 
FILM: The Bronze Screen (screening in class)

September 6:
FILM: The Bronze Screen
DISCUSSION: Caroline Nieto, Ning He & Amanda Aw Yong

Indigenous Representations
September 11: 
FILM: When the Mountains Tremble (screening in Student Union Theater)
Lecture by Dr. Rigoberta Menchú

September 13:
READ: Longo, Teresa. “When the Mountains Tremble: Images of Ethnicity in a Transcultural Text.” Hispanic Issues 15 (1997): 77 – 91.

Contemporary Latinas in Film
September 18:
FILM: Selena
READ: Kleinhans, Chuck. “Selena: ¡Siempre Selena!” Jump Cut: A Review of Contemporary Media 42 (1998, 2006). Web.
DISCUSSION: Elizabeth Parsons & Jose Figueroa

September 20:
FILM: Selena
READ: Negron-Muntaner, Frances. “Jennifer’s Butt.” Aztlán: A Journal of Chicano Studies 22.2 (1997): 181 – 194.
DISCUSSION: Sorlyz Pagan, Lisette Espinal & Ernie Abreu

September 25:
FILM: Real Women Have Curves

September 27:
FILM: Real Women Have Curves
READ: Báez, Jillian M. “Towards a Latinidad Feminista: The Multiplicities of Latinidad and Feminism in Contemporary Cinema.” Popular Communication 5.2 (2007): 109-128. (feel free to skip over sections that deal with Girlfight)
DISCUSSION: Rachael Serreti & Stacey Pecor
DISCUSSION: Stephanie Giannoutsos & Hailey Rosa

October 2:
FILM: Frida
READ: Molina-Guzman, Isabel. “Becoming Frida: Latinidad and the Production of Latina Authenticity.” Dangerous Curves: Latina Bodies in Media. New York: NYU Press, 2010.
DISCUSSION: Lucia Parisi & Gillianna Mendoza

October 4:
FILM: Frida
DISCUSSION: Jessica Diaz & Charlie Grab
One Page Midterm Self Evaluation due in class (No attached emails will be accepted; see syllabus tab for details).

Latinas in Television
October 9:
TV: Ugly Betty (“Pilot“)
READ: Molina-Guzmán, Isabel. “‘Ugly’ America Dreams the American Dream.” Dangerous Curves: Latina Bodies in the Media. New York: NYU Press, 2010.
DISCUSSION: Gary Rosas & Yamile Hernandez

October 11:
TV: Ugly Betty (“Sofia’s Choice“)
DISCUSSION: Alexis Ruiz & Brianna Martone

October 16:
RESEARCH DAY

October 18:
WORKSHOP: Term project proposals and abstracts due. Please include an outline of your project and bibliography.

October 23:
TV: Modern Family
DISCUSSION: Lindsey Honig, Danielle Honig & David Faenza

October 25:
TV: Modern Family – Season 2, episode 6 “Halloween”
DISCUSSION: Morgan Radin & Tiffany Jorge

News and Politics
November 1:
DISCUSSION: Alie Garry, Mariah Monroe

Latinas and Music
November 6:
READ: Negrón-Muntaner, Frances. “Celia’s Shoes.” From Bananas to Buttocks: The Latina Body in Popular Film and Culture. Ed. Myra Mendible. Austin: U of Texas P, 2007.
DISCUSSION: Kelvin Li, Shantae Shaw & Michael Pavia

November 8:
READ: Fuchs, Cynthia. “‘There’s My Territory’: Shakira Crossing Over.” From Bananas to Buttocks: The Latina Body in Popular Film and Culture. Ed. Myra Mendible. Austin: U of Texas P, 2007.
DISCUSSION: Skylar Smith, Jeremy Kaplan & Morgan Kamm

Latinas and/in Advertisement
November 13:
READ: Dávila, Arlene. “Knowledges: Facts and Fictions of a People as a Market” (from Latinos Inc.: The Marketing and Making of People)
Sofia Vergara – Cover Girl Commercial (youtube video)
DISCUSSION: Carolyn Luby & Veronica Perez

November 15:
READ: Dávila, Arlene. “Images: Producing Culture for the Market” (from Latinos Inc.: The Marketing and Making of People)
DISCUSSION: Violetta Orlowski & Katie Blake

Thanksgiving Break
November 20: No class

November 22: No class

Latinas in New Media
November 27:
READ: Angélica Pérez-Litwin’s “Will the New Latina Please Stand Up? How Social Media Is Broadening The Latina Image” on Huffington Post @LatinoVoices
READ: Kalyn Belsha’s “Most Powerful Latinas in Social Media” on VOXXI @voxxinews
DISCUSSION: Kiara Morales & Adam Lang

November 29:
Guest Speaker: Diane Alverio, CTLatinoNews.com
Ryan Building, Room 204

December 4: Term Project Workshop

December 6: Term Project Workshop

December 11: Final Term Project Presentations
1:00 – 3:00 PM