Introduction to Media Arts: Post Cuban Revolution Cinema and Photographic Arts

Introduction to Media Arts: Post Cuban Revolution Cinema and Photographic Arts is a Humanities, Arts and Cultural Studies class taught by Jacqueline Hayden.

Course Description
From iconic images of Che to the self examinations of Rene Pena, the mythical realism of Cirenaica Moreira, and photographic based conceptual works that examine existential problems, exodus, homosexuality and women's issues we will analyze the evolution of Cuban still photography alongside its cinematic achievements into the 21st century within their historical, social and political context. We will explore how Cuban films have evolved from the early influence of the Italian neo-realist and French New Wave Cinema to highly authentic and creative cinematic styles of mystical realism and narrative film. Film like photography tends to address a wide spectrum of social conflicts (machismo, women's, class and family issues, existential problems, the crisis of the 1990's, and the exodus. Students will be expected to read historical and theoretical text and art criticism, and write response papers as well as produce projects that relate to the content of the course. Some basic instruction in digital photography and video will be provided for the realization of projects. This course is intended as an Introduction to Media Arts in Film, Photography, Video and Multi Media, as well as a foundation course for students interested in attending Hampshire College's semester abroad program in Havana, Cuba offered in Spring semesters.

Learning Goals

 * Expressive
 * Multi-Cultural
 * Project-based