Introduction to Latinx Culture

4 credits · Undergraduate

What is culture, and who are Latinx people? This class is an introduction to how culture is studied, who Latinx people are, and the cultural expressions of Latinx people. We’ll begin by analyzing how scholars have studied culture, focusing on the three broad categories: folk culture, pop culture, and what had long been referred to as “high” culture but is now described as “cultural production.” We’ll also study the demographic diversity of the Latinx community, reviewing the history and growth of these communities. The bulk of the semester will focus on Latinx folk culture, pop culture, and cultural production. Topics may include curanderismo, carne asadas, quinceañeras, religion, music, movies, poetry, art, and novels.