When we say that race is a “social construction,” we mean not only that the concept has no basis in biological reality but also that it has a history or many histories—histories we can study in order to shed light on the past as well as the present and future. This course explores the histories of race, racism, and racialization by zooming in on the Spanish conquest and colonization of the Americas during the long sixteenth century (1450-1650). Many scholars believe that these processes of colonization, enslavement, exploitation, and genocide contributed to the formation of modern racism and the rise of modern capitalism. This course will consider questions such as: What are race and racism and what kinds of ideological “work” do they do? What is the relationship between colonialism and racism, and between racism and capitalism? How have race and racism changed from the colonial past to the present day? Why have they endured so successfully over time? Readings include primary sources written during the colonial period as well as more recent critical and theoretical work on race, racism, and racialization.

This course counts toward the Spanish major and as literature credit for the Spanish minor.