Order Description

For this forum you will write a critical analysis of the documentary Nuyorican Dreams. In the

analysis of the documentary you are to use all the readings, videos and poems required for the

learning unit. You are going to specifically discuss:

Is this an accurate portrait of a family? Why or why not?
What structural factors have affected this family?
What decisions were made by different members that affected their lives?
How is the cycle of poverty broken within the family?
How is it continued?
Are the members portrayed in control of their destinies? Are there unseen forces that determine or

impact on their lives and the choices they make? Explain.
How would you improve the documentary—make it a more accurate portrayal? Be specific.
The essay should be of approximately 1000-words. Be sure that you show evidence of the use of the

readings and documentaries in your analysis.

•Acosta-Belén, Edna & Carlos E. Santiago. 2006. Puerto Ricans in the United States: A Contemporary

Portrait. Chapter 5. [Book]

•Briggs, Laura. 2002. La Vida, Moynihan, and other libels: The making of the Puerto Rican welfare

queen. CENTRO: Journal of the Center for Puerto Rican Studies 14(1): 74–101.

•Pietri, Pedro. 1973. Puerto Rican Obituary [selections]. New York: Monthly Review Press.

•Whalen, Carmen Teresa. 2001. From Puerto Rico to Philadelphia. Chapters 5–7. [Book]

•Documentary: Nuyorican Dreams

•Birson, Kirk and Edwin Meléndez. 2013. The Economic Impact of the Great Recession on Puerto Ricans

in the United States. In The State of Puerto Ricans 2013, eds. Edwin Meléndez and Carlos Vargas-

Ramos. 55–62. New York: Center for Puerto Rican Studies. [Book]

•Rosofsky, Anna, and Judith Aponte. 2013. Health of Puerto Ricans in the United States: 2000–2010.

In The State of Puerto Ricans 2013, eds. Edwin Meléndez and Carlos Vargas-Ramos. 65–74. New York:

Center for Puerto Rican Studies. [Book]