Reconsidering the American Dream and U.S. Latino Culture in a College Spanish Service-Learning Course

Abstract

This study explores how a joint Photovoice project about the American Dream between a U.S. Latino culture course and a multicultural middle-school class influenced college students’ perceptions of Latino culture. In addition to outlining the service-learning course design, the study also analyzes the trajectory of their understanding of the American Dream. As a result of the partnership, college students’ American Dreams shifted away from the archetypal personal success narrative toward a more civically oriented approach.