INTRODUCTION TO LATINX CULTURES

CHICLA/HISTORY 153

Examines the historical, social, and legal experiences of Latinas/Latinos/Latinxs in the US since the mid-1800s with emphasis on Mexican migrations. Latinxs became an important part of the US population through western expansion, conquest, and immigration. We will learn about the 3 main Latinx groups in the US: Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, and Cubans, but will also learn about other Latinx communities. We begin with an examination of conquest by studying the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo that annexed roughly half of former Mexican territory and the Spanish-American War that resulted in the possession of Puerto Rico. Then, we examine the history of Latinx immigration to understand the experiences of Mexicans, Central Americans, South Americans, and people from the Caribbean who have immigrated to the US in search of economic opportunities and political asylum. This course serves as an introduction to the varied experiences of Latinxs in the US in order to understand their unique histories.

CHICLA 210

Introduction to the cultural worlds of Chicana/os and Latina/os in the U.S. Examines how diverse peoples came to understand themselves as members of a racial, ethnic, and cultural community by exploring the production of music, art, theater, film, television, and literature.

CHICLA/SPANISH 364

Analysis of Latinx/e popular culture to consider the varied make-up of Latinx/e populations, their specific histories, social dynamics, and politics through their creative expressions, performances, and cultural contestations. Covers key terms and concepts, cultural developments, and diverse interpretations while focusing in the analysis of Latinx/e music, performance art, film and media, sports, food, and car culture. Other topics include the production, circulation, and reception of Latinx/e popular culture, the use of Spanish and English languages, issues of identity, migration, and interculturality, the role of the cultural industry, and the context of globalization. Broadly explores the intersectionality of race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexuality, and nation regarding Latinx/e populations. Taught in Spanish.

CHICLA/SPANISH 469

Focuses on the cultural evolution of Chicanos, Puerto Ricans, Cuban-Americans, and other U.S. Latinos in relation to their countries of origin. Topics vary.

CHICLA/SPANISH 467

Study the literature of Latinx/e populations in the United States, particularly of writers of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Dominican, and Central American descent. Examines the impact of race and how individuals and communities negotiate situations of internal colonialism, migration, generational conflicts, tensions between assimilation and cultural preservation, gender roles, literary traditions, and transnational situations. Considers the linguistic, cultural, and formal singularity of Latinx/e literature, the use of Spanish and English languages, the advent of feminist and queer writing, and the vision of the United States in their works regarding its past, present, and future. Explores the intersectionality of race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexuality, and literary forms. Diverse theories and ways to read literary texts will be explored. Literary texts - novels, short stories, poetry, and essays - will be read in English or Spanish, or a combination of both. Taught in Spanish.