U.S. Latinx History

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

The growth of Latinx groups has transformed cities and communities throughout the United States, and has led to heightened debates about their political power, cultural influence, citizenship, and ethnic and racial categorization. While increasing attention to Latinx peoples may in fact feel "new," Latina/o/x communities have played a pivotal role in U.S. history for centuries. This course explores the historical foundations and transformations of Latinxs groups across time and the range of issues that shaped their worldmaking from colonialism, immigration, race, gender, politics and culture. This course will draw on a range of historical, archival, and media materials in order to understand the histories of distinct groups, including Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans, Central Americans, and Dominicans – that forged communities in the U.S.