Week Three

Week Three: What are the goals of Chicano theatre?

Day Five:

Reading Due:

·      READ: Chicano Art Movement (Wiki)

Assignment Due:

·      Debate notes

o   Students will prepare notes for each side of today’s debate to be handed in at the end of class.

In-Class Activity:

·      In-Class Debate: Does “McFarland, USA” promote or work against the goals of Chicano performance?

o   Split class into two groups, one debating each side of the issue.

Day Six:

Reading Due:

·      Los Vendidos

Assignment Due:

·      Reading Engagement 3: Los Vendidos

o   Valdez first presented this play with his theatre company, El Teatro Campesino. El Teatro was a theatre group that performed plays in found (usually outdoor) spaces in California, often for farm workers and at gatherings intended to politically mobilize the Latino community. In about 300-350 words, answer the following questions. How does this knowledge of El Teatro’s methods influence the way you read and understand the play? Why might Valdez have chosen the theatrical influences he did (such as commedia dell’arte) to tell this particular story?

In-Class Activity:

·      Discussion on Los Vendidos

·      In class, students will be split up into groups to research various aspects of El Teatro Campesino. Each group will then present on their findings.

o   Subjects to research: Historical context of El Teatro Campesino, Luis Valdez and El Teatro Campesino, Accomplishments of El Teatro Campesino, Methods of El Teatro Campesino, Modern goals of El Teatro Campesino.