Ethnic Studies 410/ 510:

RACE, GENDER AND AMERICAN INDEPENDENT CINEMA

Winter quarter 2004, University of Oregon

Tuesdays and Thursdays 2-3:50 pm Villard 300

Instructor: Nerissa S. Balce, Visiting Assistant Professor

Office hours: 1-4 pm Wednesdays and by appointment

Office: 307 McKenzie Hall

Mailbox: 201 McKenzie Hall, Ethnic Studies Program

Email:

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The course is a critical study of independent feature films from theAmericas(North America and Latin America) including films on Asia Pacific Islanders, migrants, exiles and the undocumented. Our course studies the filmic representation of Native Americans, African Americans, Asian/Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Chicanos/Latinos in American independent cinema as well as narratives of people of color in world cinema. By “filmic representation,” we refer to the portrayal on film of non-white or minority characters, particularly how histories of domination and resistance, colonialism, race-relations, ideologies of class and gender inform these portrayals. A central theoretical concern of the course is the notion that knowledge is political, or how ideas, such as ideas about ethnic groups, are formed by cultural texts such as films. In the same light, we will view films as political texts, or how cultural forms are imbued with meanings and ideologies. Thus, the course views cinema as a pedagogical tool or how cinema educates or socializes us as it entertains us. Our course seeks to be a space for critical engagement and dialogue about how independent filmmakers — from North and Latin America, and around the world — imagine “race,” gender and ethnicities.

REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS–Books are available at Mother Kali’s Books, 720 East 13thAvenue, Eugene, OR 97401 (541) 343-4864.

1.Redefining Black Filmby Mark Reid(UC Press 1993)

2.Identities in Motion: Asian American Film and Videoby Peter Feng(Duke 2002)

3.Latino Images in Film: Stereotypes, Subversionand Resistanceby Charles Ramirez Berg(U Texas 2002)

4.Celluloid Indians: Native Americans and FilmbyJacquelyn Kilpatrick(U Nebraska 1999)

5.Cinema of Outsiders: The Rise of American Independent FilmbyEmanuel Levy(NYU 2001)

REQUIREMENTS

1.Mid-term Exam on film terms and theoretical concepts20%

2.Electronic screening journal40%

You are required to submit a screening journal every week beginning with the 2ndweek (a total of 8 journal entries; no screening journal required for last week of instruction). Each journal entry will be at least 4 pages, 1-inch margins, double-spaced, submitted via e-mail to the instructor every Friday, before noon.

3.Short announced quizzes (on readings and films)20%

4.Class attendance and triad/dyad discussions20%

Only three unexcused absences are allowed per student (including film screenings). More than three absences will affect your final grade. Tardiness and/or leaving early will be considered a half-absence. You will be responsible for anything you have missed.

You are expected to have read the assigned texts before class discussion and be prepared for questions your classmates or the instructor might ask. For triad/dyad group work, the instructor will assign questions that you will answer with one or two peers. You should choose a passage or two to read aloud before the class and offer interpretation or some questions regarding the passage.

EXPECTATIONS

You are expected to listen actively or be asked to leave the room. All students are required to attend discussions and film viewings, to do the assigned readings, to master the material, and to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the standards of courtesy and etiquette that govern academic inquiry. Your preparedness in class is your commitment to your peers.