Latinx Studies

AMS 307 Depictions of Racism in American Literature, Music, and Film 3 Credits

Depictions of Racism in American Literature, Music, and Film will study representations of racism in the American arts in historical context. Students will examine artistic representations of practices that disadvantage and disfranchise non-white Americans, with an eye toward understanding the ways America’s history of racist practices has prompted responses from American writers, musicians, and filmmakers.

Prerequisites: CMP 125 or CMP 203 or BHP 150.

HIS 283 Modern Latin America 3 Credits

Considers the post-independence history of Latin America, emphasizing the rise of export economies and external economic domination, modernization, and pan- Americanism. Examines the changes undergone by Latin-American nations in the 20th century through an analysis of Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Peru, Cuba, and Central America.

HIS 284 Caribbean History 3 Credits

Analyzes the history of the West Indian islands and the lands bordering the Caribbean Sea from pre-Columbian times to the present.

HIS 307 The Immigrant in American Life 3 Credits

Examines the experiences of immigrants in the United States, their assimilation, the reactions to them, and their contributions.

MCS 110 Race, Class and Gender in Contemporary American Society 3 Credits

This interdisciplinary course analyzes the ways in which race, class, gender and ethnic relationships shape the experience of all persons in this society. It examines the categories of race, class and gender as social constructs that have been historically developed and sustained by economic, social, political, and cultural factors. Note: This course is cross-listed with GSS 110. Students may only get credit for one course: MCS 110 or GSS 110.

MCS 210 Power and Privilege in a Multicultural Society 3 Credits

This course will examine how the intersection of power and privilege shapes race, gender and class relationships in the United States. Analyses will show how the legal, economic, political and social manifestations of power influence the assignments and distribution of privilege in the United States, both in historical and contemporary contexts. The impositions of power on identity in the social assignment of privilege will be an important component of the course. The two “big questions” to be examined in this course are: How do issues of race, ethnicity, class, age, religion, gender, and sexual orientation interact with privilege? How do the tensions between power, privilege, oppression and inequality lead to movements for social justice? Various interlocking systems of privileges—justice system, educational system, medical system, political system, economic system, etc.--will be examined, using the theoretical frameworks of inequality, oppression and dependency. Prominent public policies and social movements that have challenged the notions of power and privilege, both historically and contemporarily, will be examined: civil rights, women’s suffrage, affirmative action, Occupy Wall Street, LGBT rights, Metoo movement, Equal Rights Amendment, Title IX, Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, etc.

POL 235 Race and Ethnicity in American Politics 3 Credits

Examines the changing political, economic, and social situation of racial and ethnic groups in American politics since the 1950s. Topics include the relationship between race/ethnicity and voting behavior, political parties, and election results. Includes an analysis of specific areas of contemporary racial and ethnic conflict, such as voting rights, immigration, and affirmative action.

POL 365 Politics of the Developing World 3 Credits

Studies the major political issues of the so-called "developing" world. Particular reference to political systems of Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East according to the relevance of the examples to large conceptual issues, and according to the major interests of the instructor. Typical issues include neocolonial dependency, the role of the state in newly developed countries, military rule and democratization.

SOC 207 Racial and Ethnic Relations 3 Credits

Examines the social origins of prejudice and discrimination, and analyzes intergroup trends in conflict, competition, and cooperation. Considers issues of immigration, economic and political power, and ethnic, racial, and religious pluralism.

SOC 345 Race and Crime 3 Credits

Examines the impact of crime policy on minority communities in the United States, with particular attention to the impact of “The War on Drugs”, three-strike laws, and mandatory sentencing on minorities and minority communities. Drawing on sociological research, the course explores myths and realities concerning the relationship between race and crime. The relationship between racial attitudes, historical race relations, and mass incarceration are discussed.

Prerequisite(s): SOC 101.

SPA 311 Latin American and Latinx Cultures 3 Credits

This course offers a panoramic survey of Latin American culture and civilization, in light of the unique social, cultural and political history from the pre-Columbian period to the present. We will take a transdisciplinary approach, and thus we will consider literary texts (e.g., short stories, films, novels, essays, poems), historical and anthropological studies, and sociological works in our examination of Latin American and Latinx cultures. The analysis and discussion of selected texts will show how Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino/a/x artistic and creative endeavors express the social, cultural, and political context of the Americas. Videos and films will provide the sights and sounds of these complex and interconnected regions. This course is taught in English; no knowledge of Spanish is required. This course DOES NOT count for the General Education Foreign Language Proficiency requirement.

SPA 312 Latinx Cultures 3 Credits

This course focuses on the cultural formation of Latinos/as/x in the United States, as well as the social and political motivations for Latin American migration to this country. Our class will analyze and question how various Latinx communities are grouped into a single U.S.-Latino Diaspora. This course takes a transdisciplinary approach, thus we will consider literary texts (short stories, poems, films, novels), historical and anthropological studies, and sociological works in our examination of Latinx cultures. The main goals of the course are for students to begin to conceptualize: 1) how the United States has been shaped by the presence of Latino/a/x communities, and 2) how Latino/a/x experiences are reflected in literature and art. Classes are in English. No knowledge of Spanish is required.

SPA 325 Introduction to Latin-American/Latino Literature 3 Credits

A study of the development of Latin-American and Latino literature from its origins to the present through the reading, analysis and discussion of representative works by major authors. This course increases the understanding of how social, historical, and political events, together with native as well as foreign literary movements, create a unique literature, conveying the Hispanic-American reality. Required for majors. Course taught in Spanish.

Prerequisite(s): SPA 201 or above, or placement test at 300-level or above.

SPA 426 Latin American/Latino Film and Fiction 3 Credits

A study of the main trends in contemporary Hispanic fiction written in Latin America and the United States. Analysis and discussion of selected novels and short stories, and their cinematic representation on film. This course counts towards the fulfillment of the Disciplinary Perspectives element of the CLAS general education curriculum. Course taught in Spanish.

Prerequisite(s): SPA 201 or above, or placement test at 300-level or above.