This thesis looks at the trajectory of Arabs' portrayal in Hollywood films. It seeks to examine the historical, political as well as the cultural parameters that triggered Hollywood's interest in Arabs representation and the role these parameters played in drawing the limits of such representation. Informed by previous works on the same topic (especially that of renowned media critic Dr. Jack Shaheen) and others on Hollywood stereotypical projection of other ethnic groups, it studies the symbols, meanings and patterns that characterize Hollywood projection of Arabs.

Unlike previous works on the subject most of which have largely centered on illustrating the largely negative traditional aspects of this projection, this thesis focuses on a new trend in which Arabs are portrayed in a less negative light. Arabs, in this new trend, are no longer cast as a monolithic group, a group of evil doers—as was the case in much of Hollywood's traditional films. They are seen as a diverse culture, a culture that has more than one voice, one color, a culture of multitude of voices and ideas. What remains to be seen, however, is what the future holds for Hollywood Arabs? This works argues that it depends to a great extent on the desire of the small community of Arab actors to define their role within this industry as agents for positive change and their ability to translate that desire into concrete steps.