Uniting Hispanic Film Studies with Civic Engagement: A Chance for Personal Transformation

This current study presents a unique approach to the examination of Hispanic film through the incorporation of a civic engagement project, the Mayerson Student Philanthropy Project (MSPP), into the curriculum. Students examined and assessed important global issues, and how they are portrayed in films from several Spanish-speaking countries, while simultaneously investigating nonprofits that address these same needs in the local community. At the end, through a class vote, students chose two nonprofits and awarded each with a $1,000 grant. The inclusion of the MSPP in the Hispanic film course offered students a shared experience and a chance to engage in a discussion of how fiction film can reflect, if not improve, their understanding of real world challenges. Qualitative survey results from students enrolled in the class reveal that combining film with community engagement not only improved their understanding of Hispanic cinema, but also empowered them to be more civic-minded and engaged as advocates of international social concerns in the area in which they live.