This course is a historical survey of Latina/o/x cultures and communities in the United States since the late nineteenth century. It focuses on different forms of community-building by Latinas/os/x via shared culture, ethnicity, or efforts for social justice and equality. The class will focus primarily on Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, and Cubans, with connections to other Latina/o/x groups like Central Americans made throughout. At the end of the course, students will know how different Latina/o/x communities formed, who was part of them, and their larger significance and contributions to Latina/o/x and U.S. history, society, and culture.

Course Requirements:

Students are responsible for watching lectures on their own, and regular attendance and participation in our weekly meeting is strongly encouraged to help students succeed in this course. Student assignments include a short intro video of themselves, two 3-page reflection papers on course lectures and materials, a 5-6 page essay that responds to a question drawn from the primary monograph, and a final project where students have the option to either write a 6-8 page paper or record a 10-minute video response to the final prompt. No midterm exam.

Intended Audience:

This course is intended for second and third year students, mainly those majoring in American Culture or History, or minoring in Latina/o Studies. It is also for students interested in fulfilling their Humanities requirement.

Class Format:

This course will use Canvas for all asynchronous components (pre-recorded lectures, readings, links for films, documentaries, and other forms of media). Synchronous meetings will be done every Thursday from 1pm to 2:30pm via Zoom. Link to weekly Thursday meetings, as well as office hours, will be available to students on Canvas beginning week 1.