Katie Griffin Talks All Things Telenovela, Culture, and Society
BY: KATIE GRIFFIN
Here is a look at UGA’s Telenovelas, Culture, and Society eLC page.
This is where students have access to all class materials like required
readings and the syllabus.
PHOTO: KATIE GRIFFIN
The University of Georgia’s college of journalism and mass communications has expanded its class offerings beyond your typical communications courses. Katie Griffin, a junior studying public relation, explains her journey of deciding to take a telenovela class, her previous experience with telenovelas and her hopes for the semester.
Q: What made you want to take Telenovelas, Culture, and Society?
A: As soon as I had my advising appointment for Spring 2021 and saw the class title, I knew I had to be in the class. I’ve always loved Spanish language and culture, so I figured this was the perfect media studies class for me. During high school I took AP Spanish, and I had a weekly assignment to watch a telenovela episode and learn 5 new words. I remember that being my favorite homework for the class. I’ve also always been a big media/entertainment connoisseur so this was the perfect fit.
Q: Have you ever watched a telenovela before?
A: I watched La Reina del Sur in my AP Spanish class in high school. I absolutely loved it and found myself watching at a quicker pace than my teacher was expecting/requiring. When picking my telenovela, I thought about watching this series again, but decided to branch out and try something new and exciting.
Q: Have you decided what telenovela to watch this semester?
A: This semester I am going to watch the popular and famous telenovela called Pasion de Gavilanes via Hulu. This series is by Telemundo.
Q: How did you pick to watch Pasion de Gavilanes?
A: I had a difficult time picking what to watch, which is a problem I often face when watching regular American TV. In the end I decided to watch Pasion de Gavilanes over Bajo el Mismo Cielo because the story seemed like something I’d really enjoy. In previous watching experience I tend to enjoy shows from the early 2000s. This telenovela being from 2003 really enticed me.
Q: Out of the clips Dr. A showed in class which stuck out to you most?
A: When Dr. A showed the class a clip from Al Orto Lado del Muro I was hooked. I looked all over the internet for somewhere to watch this telenovela with no prevail. The plot was unlike anything I’d ever seen before and seemed like an awesome piece to get to analyze. El Clon also seemed like a story I’d really enjoy, but I was nervous I’d get too confused by the plot.
Q: What are you looking forward to most in this class?
A: I’ve never taken any sort of media studies class so I’m looking forward to learning and analyzing how certain demographics are portrayed in telenovelas. I’m also looking forward to having to watch telenovelas as a form of homework. So far I’m really enjoying going to class everyday and am looking forward to the rest of the semester.
You mentioned looking forward to learning and analyzing how certain demographics are portrayed in telenovelas. I am too and I wonder if all telenovelas have similar demographics or it depends on the plot of the telenovela itself? I wonder if there are certain demographics that remain unchanged throughout telenovela history or if they are all different.
ReplyDeleteI really like the creativity of this post, Katie. An interview is a great idea to learn more about you personally and your experience relating to telenovelas.
ReplyDeleteI also think it's really interesting that you were assigned to watch a telenovela in your high school Spanish class. I think I got a good foundation of Spanish in high school, but I never really got the experience of relating it to modern day. I feel like this was a really great idea from your teacher to give you and your classmates a more realistic use of their Spanish and see how they can actually use it in their lives. I'm sure seeing this class during your advising reignited some of that excitement.
Also, El Clon seemed a little hard to keep up with for me as well. But now at the end of the semester, I have been able to realize that telenovelas are fairly easy to keep up with despite the language barrier they can pose sometimes, so I have been thinking about watching it after I finish my current one, La Reina del Sur.
Hi Katie! I absolutely love the way that you formatted this blog post. We have had plenty of interviews with writers and actors in this class, but seeing an interview on the student end was so unique and special to read. Your interview shows that the storyteller learns just as much from you (the viewer) as you do from them.
ReplyDeleteI also felt like I was going through the decision-making process of picking a telenovela with you which I enjoyed. I liked your honesty in saying you might get too confused by the plot of El Clon, because I definitely felt that way about a couple of the shows I considered watching.
It was amazing to read this post from the beginning of the year and see how much we have learned about different demographics and different cultures throughout the year. Similar to you, I had never taken a media studies class before this class, and getting to focus on telenovelas and their deeper meanings impacted me in such a positive way.
¡Esta es una forma tan creativa de dar formato a una publicación de blog! Disfruté leyendo sobre su proceso de pensamiento detrás de la elección de la telenovela, ¡ya que también tuve dificultades para tomar una decisión con todas las excelentes opciones que tenemos! Al entrar en esta clase, nunca había visto una telenovela, tengo curiosidad por saber cómo eso afectó su experiencia en esta clase en comparación con la mía. Creo que tener interés en el idioma español y las vastas culturas que lo hablan es genial para agregar a la experiencia de esta clase y ver Telenovelas en general. De hecho, vi La Reina del Sur para esta clase y honestamente me sorprende que lo veas en tu clase de secundaria considerando parte del contenido. De todos modos, ¡espero que te lo hayas pasado genial viendo tu telenovela y tomando esta clase este semestre!
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