Final Essay
The films we have studied so far this semester each take a different approach to filmmaking. While there is some overlap, these approaches can be thought of as historical, artistic, biographical, and activist. Their subjects, settings, time periods and formats vary. The stories told are personal and public; at times they are both. As you select your film and review your notes and accompanying readings, consider the following:
Essay Question and Guidelines:
Select ONE of the films we have screened for your essay. With the film’s particular scope and approach in mind, discuss one of the themes that emerged in class discussions or in your own reflections and notes. You may do this by discussing a character, a motif, a theme, a set of images, a quote, or any other aspect from the film to “anchor” your point of view. You may further examine the motive of the filmmaker and his or her point of view. Is there a political or social issue they are addressing and why did they choose this story? What is unique about their approach the issue? How does the film work?
Structure: Your essay must contain a central thesis (main argument) that you support with a balance of evidence from the film (scenes/dialogue), the readings (citations) and your own critical analysis. Your introduction should clearly name the film you have chosen (including flimmaker) and your central thesis that you arguing for. Briefly state the ideas/themes you will examine and layout a “map” of your paper. The body of your essay should flow and develop in a purposeful manner that builds upon critical analysis and supporting evidence, steadily working to prove your thesis. The conclusion should re-state your central thesis and offer a compelling, brief re-articulation of the broader significance or take away of your argument.
Your essay must also demonstrate strong structure and mechanics (e.g. complete sentences, distinct paragraphs, correct grammar and spelling, proper word choice, overall organization).
While you must illustrate your perspective and how you arrive at your conclusions by thoughtful deconstruction of the film and careful engagement with the readings, a successful paper will also be reflexive and offer a larger point or further insight beyond a re-telling of the film or affirming its central themes. We are not interested in a synopsis or summary. We are also not interested in an opinion piece that is purely subjective. Instead, the strongest papers will offer an original argument and unique position that may not be obvious, but is supported by critical analysis and solid evidence.
What questions does the film raise for you? What kinds of connections or conclusions does the film allow you to make beyond what is obvious? What connections are there between the film, your own experiences and the experiences of others? What are the broader historical, political and social contexts at play? What do other (credible) sources say to support your thinking?
You must use scenes from the film (dialogue and visuals) and engage with the assigned readings to provide evidence to support your thesis.
You can write about any one of the following films:
A Song for Cesar (in this film we see how music and the arts were instrumental to the success of the social movement Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta helped found. Connecting the activism of the 1960’s to today, musicians Abel Sanchez and Jorge Santana pay homage to the grassroots organizers and farmworkers through song and music.)
Producer/ Director Andres Alegria
Rape on the Night Shift (Rape on the Night Shift: Frontline investigates the sexual abuse of immigrant women — often undocumented — who clean the malls where you shop, the banks where you do business and the offices where you work. Producer: Andres Cediel)
No Le Digas a Nadie (tells the story of Angy Rivera, an undocumented immigrant brought to the U.S a as a child and her struggle as a DACA recipient and activist.)
Required Essay Format:
5-6 pages (double space)
Times New Roman, 12 pt font, 1-inch margins (all sides)
Cite at least 3 sources from assigned readings; outside sources can also be cited in addition to, but not in place of, assigned readings. Be sure to cite the film when referencing (the film does not count as one of the 3 required sources).
Citations in MLA format (parenthetical, in-text references)
Include a Works Cited Page (formatted correctly; does not count towards total page count)
Readings:
Jason Ferreria, “With the Soul of a Human Rainbow: Los Siete, Black Panthers, and Third Worldism in San Francisco,” Ten Years that Shook the City: San Francisco, 1968-1978 (Files)
Mae Ngai, “Chapter 4: Braceros, Wetbacks and the National Boundaries of Class,” Impossible Subjects: Illegal Aliens and the Making of Modern America (Files)
Rachel Kushner, Is Prison Necessary? Ruth Wilson Gilmore Might Change Your Mind,” New York Times Magazine (April 17, 2019) (Available online)
Bryan Adamson, Parts III-V (PDF pages 31-65) from ““Thugs,” “Crooks,” and “Rebellious Negros”: Racist and Racialized Media Coverage of Michael Brown and the Ferguson Demonstrations,” Harvard Journal on Racial and Ethnic Justice, Vol 32, Spring 2016 (Files)
Jackie Wang, Carceral Capitalism, “Chapter 2: Policing as Plunder: Notes on Municipal Finance and the Political Economy of Fees and Fines,” 2018 (Files)
When migrants are treated like slaves;
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/04/opinion/migrants-detention-forced-labor.html?searchResultPosition=1
Social death: Racialized Rightlessness and the Criminalization of the Unprotected, Lisa Marie Cacho Chapter 1 (files)
Child snatchers at the border; https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/28/opinion/immigrant-children-deportation-parents.html?searchResultPosition=1
The end of asylum;
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/11/opinion/asylum-immigration-trump.html?searchResultPosition=1
In My Town, We Need Immigrants;
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/30/opinion/trump-immigrants-iowa-farmers-workers.html?searchResultPosition=1
Separated amid tears, now filled with fears;
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/31/us/migrant-children-separation-anxiety.html?searchResultPosition=1
Trump’s immigration crackdown blunts his effort to be tough on crime;
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/14/us/politics/trumps-immigration-visa-crime.html?searchResultPosition=1
Navigating Illegality: Undocumented Youth and Oppositional Consciousness, Genevieve Negron- Gonzalez, Children and Youth Services Review, Volume 35, Issue 8, August 2013 (Files)
“‘I can’t go to college because I don’t have papers’: Incorporation Patterns of Latino Undocumented Youth.” Abrego, Leisy. 2006. , Latino Studies 4(3): 212-231 (files)
