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?