Centering Central America

This course explores the histories, cultures, and political contexts of Central America and the experiences of Central Americans across the Americas. Drawing from cultural productions alongside historical analyses and ethnographic case studies, this course assumes a hemispheric approach to decenter the United States from our conversations of (im)migration and transnationalism and, in turn, center Central America. Each country will have its own week, followed by a conversation on (im)migration and Central Americans in the contemporary moment. Our key question here is: what are the defining moments in Central America’s history that have shaped the region and Central American lives? WRIT