Contra Costa College
Course Outline
Course Number
Course Title
Prerequisite
Challenge Policy
Co-requisite
Challenge Policy
Advisory
DRAMA 165
Chicana/o and Latina/o Theatre
None
*HOURS BY ARRANGEMENT:
0
Number of Weeks
Lecture Hours By Term
Lab Hours By Term
*Hours By Arrangement
Units
18
54
3
Hours per term.
ACTIVITIES: (Please provide a list of the activities students will perform in order to satisfy the HBA requirement):
COURSE/CATALOG DESCRIPTION
This course utilizes dramatic texts, recorded and live performances, as well as cultural research as means of exploring
and understanding how Chicana/o and Latina/o dramatic literature and performances play a role in the American
theatre. Students will concentrate their studies in the exploration of Chicana/o and Latina/o plays, artists, and theatre
companies, past and present, in order to understand how Chicana/o and Latina/o theatre serves as a tool of education
and social justice when analyzing cultural, political, socio-economic, immigration, and gender issues within the
Chicana/o and Latina/o communities in the United States.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
At the completion of the course the student will be able to:
Demonstrate knowledge of the elements that make Chicana/o and Latina/o theatre a unique socio-political and
cultural theatrical form.
Analyze Chicana/o and Latina/o dramatic texts and/or performances in order to identify how the Chicana/o and
Latina/o community and individuals are (re)presented on the stage.
Identify Chicana/o and Latina/o Theatre as political and comedic tools in the understanding of Chicana/o and
Latina/o identity.
Learn how to write a production review.
INTENDED STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Demonstrate an understanding about the elements of Chicana/o and Latina/o theatre
Critically analyze Chicana/o and Latina/o dramatic literature and performance
Identify and examine Chicana/o and Latina/o theatre as a tool for social justice and awareness
Asses the historical, artistic, social, and cultural aspects of Chicana/o and Latina/o theatre
COURSE CONTENT (Lecture):
History of Chicana/o theatre from its beginning in 1965 to the present
Overview of Chicana/o and Latina/o theatre subjects, including but not limited to academic articles, theatre reviews, and
dramatic criticism
Reading, discussion, and analysis of Chicana/o-Latina/o plays from an array of subjects and from a variety of playwrights
Viewing and analysis of recorded and live Chicana/o and Latina/o theatre productions or film adaptations of different Chicana/o
and Latina/o plays
Lectures, discussions, and analysis of the image of Chicana/o and Latina/o individuals/groups/families and the representations of
such groups in theatre and the media
Overview of immigrants and the immigrant experience and how it is represented on stage
Lectures, discussions, and analysis of how Chicana/o and Latina/o youth is represented onstage by both Chicana/o and Latina/o
playwrights and mainstream theatre
COURSE CONTENT (Lab):
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:
Lectures/Discussions
Film/play viewing
Group projects/collaborative learning
Presentations/short play productions
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS:
NOTE: To be UC/CSU transferable, the text must be dated within the last 7 years OR a statement of justification for a text beyond the
last 7 years must be included.
Textbook Title:
Author:
Publisher:
Edition/Date:
Textbook Reading Level:
Vaqueeros, Calacas, and Hollywood
Edited by Carlos-Manuel
Bilingual Press
2013
College. A Microsoft Word readability test showed over a 12th grade reading
level.
Justification Statement: (For textbook beyond 7 years)
AND/OR
Textbook Title:
Author:
Publisher:
Edition/Date:
Textbook Reading Level:
Performing the US Latina and Latino Borderlands
Edited by Arturo J. Aldama, Chela Sandoval, and Peter J. García
Indiana University Press
2012
College. A Microsoft Word readability test showed over a 12th grade reading
level. Currently California State University Northridge, University of
Massachusetts Amherst, University of Minnesota, and Oregon State University
are using the text in some of their classes dealing with Latino theater or culture.
Justification Statement: (For textbook beyond 7 years)
Lab Manual Title (if applicable):
Author:
Publisher:
Edition/Date:
OUTSIDE OF CLASS WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS:
Title 5, section 55002.5 establishes that a range of 48-54 hours of lecture, study, or lab work is required for one unit of credit.
 For each hour of lecture, students should be required to spend an additional two hours of study outside of class to earn one
unit of credit.
Title 5, section 55002(a) 2F establishes coursework should call “for critical thinking and the understanding and application of
concepts determined by the curriculum committee to be at college level.”
 For degree applicable courses: List one example of critical thinking out-of-class assignments
Outside of Class Weekly Assignments
Hours per week
Weekly Reading Assignments (Include detailed assignment below, if applicable)
2
Read Dr. Nicolás Kanellos’ journal article “Folklore in Chicano Theatre and Chicano Theatre as Folklore.” Be
prepared to discuss Dr. Kanellos’ concept and be ready to give examples of both, “folklore in Chicano Theatre” and
“Chicano Theatre as folklore.” You may use prior play discussions as examples.
Weekly Writing Assignments (Include detailed assignment below, if applicable)
3
Write a paper about the following topic:
In the play ZOOT SUIT by Luis Valdez, the character of “El Pachuco” becomes a symbol for Henry Reyna. Please
explain the following:
1) What does “El Pachuco” represent in the play?
2) What symbolic representation does “El Pachuco” clothing have at the beginning and end of the play (pay attention
to the color of his garments)?
3) What does it mean to have different endings to Henry Reyna’s story? What do such different endings represent?
Weekly Math Problems (Include detailed assignment below, if applicable)
Lab or Software Application Assignments (Include detailed assignment below, if applicable)
Other Performance Assignments (Include detailed assignment below, if applicable)
1
Viewing of different recoded/live Chicana/o and Latina/o theatre productions or film adaptations of different
Chicana/o and Latina/o plays.
STUDENT EVALUATION: (Show percentage breakdown for evaluation instruments)
Title 5, section 55002 (a) 2A requires that the grade be based on demonstrated proficiency in subject matter.
 For degree applicable courses: Course requires essay writing, or, in courses where the curriculum committee deems
appropriate, problem solving exercises, or skills demonstrations by students.
Title 5, section 55002(a) 2F requires that coursework call for critical thinking and the understanding and application of concepts
determined by the curriculum committee to be at college level.
 For degree applicable courses: List (an) example(s) of methods of evaluation that assess critical thinking.
80
20
%
Essay
Students will write essay exams related to class content.
Computation or Non-computational Problem Solving Skills
%
Skills Demonstration
%
Short acting presentations.
Objective Examinations
%
Other (describe)
%
%
%
GRADING POLICY: (Choose LG, P/NP, or SC)
Pass / No Pass
X Letter Grade
90% - 100% = A
80% - 89% = B
70% - 79% = C
60% - 69% = D
Below 60% = F
70% and above = Pass
Below 70% = No Pass
Agustin Palacios / Carlos Manuel
Chavarria
Date: 04/06/15
Prepared by:
Revised form 08/14
Student Choice
90% - 100% = A
80% - 89% = B
70% - 79% = C
60% - 69% = D
Below 60% = F
or
70% and above = Pass
Below 70% = No Pass