The course will provide an in-depth analysis of- and reflection upon- media images from across the broad spectrum of the industry: Hollywood cinema, independent film and the news media and how they influence society's perception of race, class, and gender issues. The course will highlight the diverse nature of these images from the perspectives of: social and political significance, stylistic influences and historical placement within the cultural context. Both contemporary and classic works will be screened, beginning with an examination of the dominant images of people of color portrayed in mainstream media. Some of the questions we will investigate include: where do these images originate? What are the underlying assumptions behind these images? What social function might these portrayals serve? Is race a social or biological construct? What are the social implications which perpetuate and are reinforced by an underlying worldview? What has been the influence or lack thereof of media from within these ethnicities and cultures on the Hollywood and independent industries? This course counts towards the Ethnicity and Race Minor.

The course will provide an in-depth analysis of- and reflection upon- media images from across the broad spectrum of the industry: Hollywood cinema, independent film and the news media and how they influence society's perception of race, class, and gender issues. The course will highlight the diverse nature of these images from the perspectives of: social and political significance, stylistic influences and historical placement within the cultural context. Both contemporary and classic works will be screened, beginning with an examination of the dominant images of people of color portrayed in mainstream media. Some of the questions we will investigate include: where do these images originate? What are the underlying assumptions behind these images? What social function might these portrayals serve? Is race a social or biological construct? What are the social implications which perpetuate and are reinforced by an underlying worldview? What has been the influence or lack thereof of media from within these ethnicities and cultures on the Hollywood and independent industries? This course counts towards the Ethnicity and Race Minor.

The course will provide an in-depth analysis of- and reflection upon- media images from across the broad spectrum of the industry: Hollywood cinema, independent film and the news media and how they influence society's perception of race, class, and gender issues. The course will highlight the diverse nature of these images from the perspectives of: social and political significance, stylistic influences and historical placement within the cultural context. Both contemporary and classic works will be screened, beginning with an examination of the dominant images of people of color portrayed in mainstream media. Some of the questions we will investigate include: where do these images originate? What are the underlying assumptions behind these images? What social function might these portrayals serve? Is race a social or biological construct? What are the social implications which perpetuate and are reinforced by an underlying worldview? What has been the influence or lack thereof of media from within these ethnicities and cultures on the Hollywood and independent industries?

The course will provide an in-depth analysis of- and reflection upon- media images from across the broad spectrum of the industry: Hollywood cinema, independent film and the news media and how they influence society's perception of race, class, and gender issues. The course will highlight the diverse nature of these images from the perspectives of: social and political significance, stylistic influences and historical placement within the cultural context. Both contemporary and classic works will be screened, beginning with an examination of the dominant images of people of color portrayed in mainstream media. Some of the questions we will investigate include: where do these images originate? What are the underlying assumptions behind these images? What social function might these portrayals serve? Is race a social or biological construct? What are the social implications which perpetuate and are reinforced by an underlying worldview? What has been the influence or lack thereof of media from within these ethnicities and cultures on the Hollywood and independent industries? This course counts towards the Ethnicity and Race Minor.

The course will provide an in-depth analysis of- and reflection upon- media images from across the broad spectrum of the industry: Hollywood cinema, independent film and the news media and how they influence society's perception of race, class, and gender issues. The course will highlight the diverse nature of these images from the perspectives of: social and political significance, stylistic influences and historical placement within the cultural context. Both contemporary and classic works will be screened, beginning with an examination of the dominant images of people of color portrayed in mainstream media. Some of the questions we will investigate include: where do these images originate? What are the underlying assumptions behind these images? What social function might these portrayals serve? Is race a social or biological construct? What are the social implications which perpetuate and are reinforced by an underlying worldview? What has been the influence or lack thereof of media from within these ethnicities and cultures on the Hollywood and independent industries? This course counts towards the Ethnicity and Race Minor.

The course will provide an in-depth analysis of- and reflection upon- media images from across the broad spectrum of the industry: Hollywood cinema, independent film and the news media and how they influence society's perception of race, class, and gender issues. The course will highlight the diverse nature of these images from the perspectives of: social and political significance, stylistic influences and historical placement within the cultural context. Both contemporary and classic works will be screened, beginning with an examination of the dominant images of people of color portrayed in mainstream media. Some of the questions we will investigate include: where do these images originate? What are the underlying assumptions behind these images? What social function might these portrayals serve? Is race a social or biological construct? What are the social implications which perpetuate and are reinforced by an underlying worldview? What has been the influence or lack thereof of media from within these ethnicities and cultures on the Hollywood and independent industries? This course counts towards the Ethnicity and Race Minor.

The course will provide an in-depth analysis of- and reflection upon- media images from across the broad spectrum of the industry: Hollywood cinema, independent film and the news media and how they influence society's perception of race, class, and gender issues. The course will highlight the diverse nature of these images from the perspectives of: social and political significance, stylistic influences and historical placement within the cultural context. Both contemporary and classic works will be screened, beginning with an examination of the dominant images of people of color portrayed in mainstream media. Some of the questions we will investigate include: where do these images originate? What are the underlying assumptions behind these images? What social function might these portrayals serve? Is race a social or biological construct? What are the social implications which perpetuate and are reinforced by an underlying worldview? What has been the influence or lack thereof of media from within these ethnicities and cultures on the Hollywood and independent industries? This course counts towards the Ethnicity and Race Minor.

The course will provide an in-depth analysis of- and reflection upon- media images from across the broad spectrum of the industry: Hollywood cinema, independent film and the news media and how they influence society's perception of race, class, and gender issues. The course will highlight the diverse nature of these images from the perspectives of: social and political significance, stylistic influences and historical placement within the cultural context. Both contemporary and classic works will be screened, beginning with an examination of the dominant images of people of color portrayed in mainstream media. Some of the questions we will investigate include: where do these images originate? What are the underlying assumptions behind these images? What social function might these portrayals serve? Is race a social or biological construct? What are the social implications which perpetuate and are reinforced by an underlying worldview? What has been the influence or lack thereof of media from within these ethnicities and cultures on the Hollywood and independent industries?

This course analyzes media images from the broad spectrum of the industry (Hollywood cinema, independent film, news media, etc.) in order to reflect on how these images shape people's ideas about race, class, and ethnicity. Our analysis highlights and critiques diverse images from the perspectives of social and political significance, stylistic influences, and cultural history. A wide range of film and video is screened and discussed. We first examine the portrayal of people of color in mainstream movies, contemporary and classic. We then discuss the development of independent filmmaking in communities of color, especially African-American, Asian-American, and Latino. We focus on the ways independent filmmakers of color have represented their own identities and experiences in and through the media they have created. How do their images differ from those in the dominant media? What influence do their images have in their own communities and in the dominant community? This course counts toward the Gender Studies minor.

This course analyzes media images from the broad spectrum of the industry (Hollywood cinema, independent film, news media, etc.) in order to reflect on how these images shape people's ideas about race, class, and ethnicity. Our analysis highlights and critiques diverse images from the perspectives of social and political significance, stylistic influences, and cultural history. A wide range of film and video is screened and discussed. We first examine the portrayal of people of color in mainstream movies, contemporary and classic. We then discuss the development of independent filmmaking in communities of color, especially African-American, Asian-American, and Latino. We focus on the ways independent filmmakers of color have represented their own identities and experiences in and through the media they have created. How do their images differ from those in the dominant media? What influence do their images have in their own communities and in the dominant community? This course counts toward the Gender Studies minor.