Chicano Studies 190
Chicano Images In Film
Mike Ornelas
(619) 388-2266,
Office G-103E, mornelas@sdccd.net
COURSE OUTLINE
A critical approach to cinematic images of Chicanos as depicted in selected films. Focus will be
on the evolution of images from the earliest Hollywood portrayals to the more recent Chicanoproduced documentaries and cinema. Special attention will be given to film images and how
they are reflective of given social, political, economic and historical contexts. This course
satisfies Mesa College's Multi-cultural graduation requirement and/or Humanities requirement
and may transfer to 4-year Universities under the Humanities category.
REQUIRED BOOKS:
Chon Noriega
Rosa Linda Fregoso
Chicanos and Film: Representation and Resistance
The Bronze Screen: Chicana and Chicano Film Culture
Americo Paredes
N. Cull, D. Carrasco, eds.
With His Pistol In His Hand (optional)
Alambrista and the U. S.-Mexico Border (optional)
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
1. To introduce the student to the evolution of Chicano images in film.
2. To develop the student's ability to articulate a response to Chicano images in oral and
written forms.
3. To develop the students’ understanding of the power of the film medium as a reflection
of given historical contexts.
4. To expose students to and encourage written and oral responses to various aspects of
the Chicano experience such as: insidious stereotypes in film, identity and alienation,
oppression and struggle, and Chicano culture and values.
5. To develop the student's understanding of and appreciation for the contributions of
Chicanos and Chicano-produced cinema to the emergence of a multi-faceted, multidimensional image of the past two decades.
COURSE CONTENT AND FORMAT:
“Chicano Images in Film” is a survey course that explores cinematic images of Chicanos. This
will utilize a combination of classroom formats including: assigned readings, lecture/discussion,
the screening of various selected films followed class discussion on the various topics. Also of
primary importance is the ability of the student to compare and contrast professional reviews
with their personal analysis based on the screening of a number of films. Various central themes
will be explored including the historical context of given films, stereotypical Chicano roles,
Chicanos as antagonists and protagonists, alienation, identity, culture and the depiction of
Chicanas.
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GRADES:
Final grades will be determined through a combination of criteria that will include the following:
Attendance and participation in class discussion will comprise 25% of the grade. Three, 5-7
page papers will be due during the semester. Each will comprise 25% of the final grade. A
fourth paper may be turned in as an extra-credit assignment. Students should discuss this option
with the instructor, should you choose to do it. These will be take-home assignments that focus
on topics and themes that will be discussed in class and based upon particular reading
assignments as well. You will be provided with the possible essay questions that cover the films
to be viewed and the assigned readings.
SCHEDULE OF FILMS, PAPERS AND READING ASSIGNMENTS:
Date, Readings
1. October 24, 2005
Film
Major Topic
Intro to C. S. 190
2. October 26
The Bronze Screen
Latinos in Hollywood Films
Reading: Noriega, pp. xi-xxvi, 18-28, 29-46, 47-58, 59-73, 74-93.
3. October 31
Salt of the Earth (1954),
Human courage and passion
Reading: Fregoso, pp. xiii-xxiii, and pp. 1-20, Jose Limon, “Stereotyping and Chicano
Resistance: An Historical Dimension” and Noriega, pp. 141-167, Noriega, pp. 229-231
4. November 2
Bread and Roses (2002)
Workers’ rights and the undocumented
Reading: Noriega, pp. 141-167, Noriega, pp. 229-231
5. November 7
Alambrista (1976, 2004)
The undocumented struggle
Reading: Cull, Carrasco: Alambrista and the U.S.-Mexico Border: Film, Music, and Stories…
6. November 9
El Norte (1983)
Immigrant saga and the American dream
Fregoso, pp. 106-110, and Noriega, pp. 207-217, 231-233, 248-249, and 254-256.
7. November 14
Reading: hand-outs
My Family/Mi Familia (1995) The Chicano family romantic epic
8. November 16
American Me (1992)
Olmosian visions and the dark tunnel
Reading: Fregoso, pp. 122-134, pp. 21-48, Noriega, pp. 208-215, 226-228
9. November 21
Zoot Suit (1981)
Reading: Fregoso, pp. 21-38.
Multi-vocality, countervisionality
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10. November 23
La Bamba (1987)
“Tu eres mi otro yo”
Reading: Fregoso, pp. 38-48 and Francisco X. Camplis, “Towards the Development of a Raza
Cinema,” Noriega, pp. 208-215, 226-228
11. November 28
Born in East L.A. (1987)
Humor and subversive deconstruction
Reading: Fregoso, pp. 49-70 and Noriega, pp. 183-194, 213-217
12. November 30
Mi Vida Loca (1994)
Hanging the Homegirls
Reading: Rosa Linda Fregoso handout, “Hanging the Homegirls”
13. December 5
Reading: handouts
Luminarias (2001)
Chicanas in life and love, female autonomy
14. December 7
Reading: handouts
Real Women Have Curves (2002) Chicana independence v. traditionalism
15. December 12
Last day of class, All papers due.
In the event of an instructor absence or tardy, students should wait at least fifteen minutes before
leaving, unless notified otherwise through the dean’s office.
Most of the films listed above can be reviewed in the Audio Visual department--fourth floor of
the library. Student identification is necessary and the films cannot be removed from the facility.
Some are also available through Kensington Video as well as Blockbuster or Hollywood Video.
Student Advisory: Many of the films viewed and discussed in class are rated “R”. Therefore
some of them contain profanity, sexuality, overt sexual acts, and violence that include a racial
dimension. Some students may find these acts to be offensive and contrary to their beliefs. But
absence from class based on this is not excused or allowed. You are advised to drop this course
and consider alternatives if you are so offended.
Chicano Studies 190 Website: There is website for Chicano Studies 190 that contains
important information for your use including the course outline, class notes, important Power
Point presentations, and study guides. It has been constructed with you in mind and should be
checked periodically as the information on the site may change through the course of the
semester.
You must have Power Point software on your computer or the Power Point viewer. The Power
Point program must be purchased and is usually offered as a package from Microsoft. To
download a free version of the viewer simply go to Microsoft.com and locate the viewer among
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the various programs that are downloadable.
To access the website do the following:
1. In your browser type in the web address at classroom.sdmesa.edu/mornelas
2. Select your class-Chicano Studies 190
3. Select course outline, announcements or Power Point presentations for the information
you are trying to access.
Other films available for your viewing/review:
A Day Without a Mexican
…and the earth did not swallow him,…y no se lo trago la tierra
A Touch of Evil
A Walk in the Clouds
Bordertown
Boulevard Nights
Bound by Honor: Blood in, Blood Out
Break of Dawn
Distant Water
Fools Rush In
Giant
Latino
Lone Star
One-Eyed Jacks
Selena
Stand and Deliver
Star Maps
The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez
The Milagro Beanfield War
The Price of Glory
The Princess and the Barrio Boy
The Ring
The Wild Bunch
The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit
Tortilla Flats
Tortilla Soup
Treasure of the Sierra Madre
Walk Proud