Students will explore Mexico through the lens of film for one semester in this advanced Spanish course designed for students who wish to improve their Spanish language skills and cultural knowledge. In class, students will view full-length feature films, shorts, and documentaries. Students will learn about the Golden Era of Mexican Film during the 1940’s and 1950’s. Students will focus on New Mexican Cinema with films from the 2010’s. Students will learn to appreciate Mexican directors, like Luis Buñuel & Claudia Saint-Luce, and actors, like Pedro Infante, Mario Moreno “Cantinflas”, Blanca Estela Pavón, Karla Souza, Eugenio Derbez. Students will gain perspective on the Mexican experience, taking a critical look at poverty and wealth, gender issues, music as a tool for change, migration, and the family unit amongst other themes. Students will be asked to view a brand new Mexican movie at a film festival. In-class discussions will provide a forum for students to think critically and trade ideas with each other. Writing assignments will include movie critiques and alternative final scenes. Students will get to make their own short films as well. In order to immerse students, the class will be conducted in Spanish and students are expected to speak Spanish in class.
*This class will be offered pending adequate enrollment.