Lecture 1: Introduction

Lecture 1: Introduction Professor Daniel Bernardi / Professor Michelle Martinez Ramon Navarro, who was dubbed the “New Valentino,” in “Ben Hur: A Tale of the Christ” (1926)

In this lecture… • What is this class about? • Assignments • Tour of the Website Daniel Bernardi Michelle Martinez You can pause the lecture at any point, click on one of the hyperlinks (text that is underlined) to visit a site or view a clip, and then return to the same point in the lecture when you’re ready.

What is this class about? Lecture 1: Part 1

Daniel Bernardi, PhD(a.k.a. DrB) Associate Professor, Transborder Chicana/o and Latina/o Studies Teach Courses in Cultural Studies, Film & Television Studies and New Media Theory Publish on Race in Popular Culture: The Birth of Whiteness Classic Hollywood/Classic Whiteness Star Trek and History Worked in the Entertainment Industry

Michelle Martinez, MFA Faculty Associate, Transborder Chicana/o and Latina/o Studies, ASU Teach Courses in Literature and Film Working on a book about Latina Filmmakers Working Toward Doctorate

Visual Interactive Course It’s Not an Automated Course It’s Not a Self-Paced Course Emphasizes Interactivity Asynchronous Synchronous Participation is Fundamental to the Success of Our Course

Advantages of this Course Flexibility / Not Limited by Space Study Materials Available 24/7 Lectures (streaming audio w/ PowerPoint) Websites & Other Resources Streaming Media Clips Learning Modules & Montages Structured Like a Traditional Course Complements Multiple Learning Styles Lots of Interactivity

Disadvantages Students that learn best through face-to-face debate can struggle in this environment. Ways to Compensate Arrange for Real-Time Meetings Students that are not well organized tend to not do well in this environment. Meet all Deadlines Study in Advance of Assignments

And not just any kind of interactivity! To Study Latino/a Imagery We Must Debate Debating Latino/a Imagery Should Not Involve Disrespect or Insensitivity I expect us to discuss Latino/a imagery with passion and perspective. I expect us to challenge each other’s conceptions of Latino/a imagery with rigor and respect.

Forms of Interactivity Threaded Discussions onCourse eBoard Interactive Learning Modules (iMods) Email & Attachments Real-Time Meetings CTV Kiosk Pearson International Airport, Toronto

Course Description We’ll take a critical look at the representation of Latinos/as in Hollywood, focusing on stereotyping, the politics of metaphor and allegory, self-representation and resistance, and independent film. Toward the end of the class, we will focus on several case studies of important Latino/a stars and filmmakers. In addressing these topics, we will employ historical, critical and theoretical models in order to both understand and challenge the representation of Latinos/as in film.

What’s the big deal? We also will analyze negative – at times disturbing – stereotypes of Latinos/as articulated in Hollywood cinema. We also will analyze independent voices, filmmakers that have attempted to either address the ugliness of stereotypes or speak to the Latino/a community without perpetuating value-laden stereotypes.

Critical Caveat We will engage this material as open-minded yet critical scholars seeking to understand and challenge Latino/a imagery in film. In other words, our task is to be scholars: to think about, study and discuss how complex forms of representation and narration inform Latino/a imagery in film. Rembrandt, Two Scholars Disputing (Peter And Paul), 1628

Critical Sensibilities Please keep an open but critical mind. Be tolerant of diverse opinions. Do not be afraid to offer arguments based on morality, but at the same time don’t assume your morality allows you to stand in judgment of others. Challenge each other, the material, and the professor with… rigor and respect. Aretha Franklin

Assignments Lecture 1: Part 2

What about assignments? Assignments are open-book, usually submitted via email attachment. Late assignments are not accepted. Since assignments are open-book, the standards for success are high. You are going to have to work hard and do well to get an “A” in this class. I expect thoughtful, well-reasoned and well-written work. You are not going to do well in this class if you turn in sloppy work.

Participation Worth 25% of Your Final Grade Your participation grade is based on: Keeping Up with eBoard Posts 2 Per Lesson Quality of Posts – Thoughtful & Developed Consistency of Posts – Keep up! You will do well in this class if you participate consistently with rigor and respect.

Personal Essay Worth 25% of Your Final Grade What “Hispanic” or “Latino” means to you? How has this meaning changed over time? Reference Film, TV and the Web Reference Readings from Lesson 1 Must be Clear, Concise and Well-Written

Critical Essay #1 Worth 25% of Your Final Grade Start with a clear thesis statement that structures your analysis of the film. An analysis of a Latino/a stereotype in the film using Ramírez Berg’s definition. Reference at least two additional readings from the bibliography under Resources. In your analysis, make sure to discuss at least three scenes from the film that will drive your argument to a conclusion.

Critical Essay #2 Worth 25% of Your Final Grade Write a compare/Contrast 10 page paper that starts with a clear thesis statement. An analysis of a Latino/a stereotype in the film using Ramírez Berg’s definition. Reference at least two additional readings from the bibliography under Resources. In your analysis, make sure to discuss at least three scenes from each film that will drive your argument to a conclusion.

Six Things to Remember • Go through the Website, or Virtual Classroom, with Care; Know it Well • Get to Know Your Classmates • Keep Up With Lesson Tasks • Submit Assignments On Time • Writing Must be Clear & Concise • Debate, Debate, Debate…

And just as importantly… Don’t take yourself too seriously… but do take this class seriously!

Tour of the Website Lecture 1: Part 3

Course Outline Section Note Hyperlinks to Books and Films Note Syllabus for Printing The Password Will be Emailed Review Instructions for Withdrawing This is a Tough Class Things Happen Follow the Directions Carefully

Faculty and Staff Section Note Professor Bio Note TA Bio (if we have a TA) Remember and Save: Student Support Contact Info Tech Support Contact Info

Learning Tasks Password Protected Includes Timeline at Bottom Includes Due Dates Includes Learning Tasks Readings, Screenings and Lectures Learning Modules, Clips and Interactivity Pay Attention to How you Submit Work

Graded Work Section Grading Scale I Like to give “A+” grades! I will give an “E” to a deserving student. Participation Personal Essay Critical Review #1 – Check Pop-ups Critical Review #2 – Check Pop-ups Note Sample Paper

Interactivity You Create Your USERID Use Last Name Don’t Forget It System Generates a Password Don’t Forget it Post Via Lesson Topics Stay on Schedule / Post on Deadline Posts Easy to Track

Policies, Resources & FAQs Writing Tools Library Tools Computer Labs Bibliography Dictionary Frequently Asked Questions Michelle Rodriguez from Lost

End of Lecture 1 Next Lecture: What does a Latino look like?

Lecture 1: Introduction