Overview
In 1,800-2,500 words (approximately 7-10 double-spaced pages) briefly detail the history of the depiction of ONE racial group (Latinx, Asian American, Native American, White, Black) in American film, and explain how this representation has evolved over time. Your paper MUST have a thesis that makes a solid argument about what exactly has changed in the ways that racial identity has been depicted on screen (e.g. deconstruction of stereotypes, introduction of glorifying images, different kind of stories, different types of filmmakers behind the camera, etc.). Those are basically the issues that we will be covering in class throughout the semester. Thus, your research paper should simply try to synthesize them in a sound and academic manner, while providing an educated summary of how the representation of your racial group of choice has changed over time. To this end, you will have to do some outside research to solidify your argument, and likely watch a few additional movies on your own. When possible, in your research paper you are encouraged to draw examples from the films you would have watched on your own for your film reviews. Example of a thesis statement: “In my paper, I will discuss how African American filmmakers have emphasized the humanity of Black men in American film. By giving a brief history of the depiction of Black male characters in Hollywood, I will delineate some of the negative stereotypes that have been associated with those characters (i.e. Coons, Toms, Bucks) especially when white directors were behind the camera. Then, I will detail how there has been a great shift in tone and sympathy towards those characters ever since African American filmmakers have started to be in control of their representation.”