Latinas/os in the U. S.: Social Problems and Social Issues

3 credits · Undergraduate credit

Latinas/os are now the largest minority group in the U. S. - around 18 % of the population. While the media and census data tend to depict them as homogeneous "Hispanics," they are really a very heterogeneous group. In this course we consider some of the major groups: Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans, Central Americans, Venezuelans, Colombians. We examine their contrasting social characteristics (social class of origin, race/ethnicity, gender, legal status) that are the result of their different reasons for migration; different processes of incorporation; and different social outcomes in the U. S. We particularly look at the various histories that led them to come to the U.S., the impact the legal system had on their processes of incorporation (as undocumented migrants vs. refugees vs. professional migrants), and the opportunities available to them in various regions of the country during the historical moment when they arrived in the U.S.