The Cultural History of 20th Century Mexico

4.0 credits

This course will consider Mexicos rich and vibrant cultural history beginning with the Mexican Revolution (1910-20) and ending with contemporary globalization (post-1994). Among the topics to be considered are Mexicos mid-century challenge to US power as it was expressed in art, literature, and film; the question of forming a national identity between 1930 and 1960; and the cultural expressions of discontent against the national state after 1968. We will pay close attention to the work of national figures who expressed Mexicos internal racial, class, and gender hierarchies, including Carlos Monsivis, Elena Poniatowska, and Fernando Bentez. And we will examine the current resurgence of Mexican literature and film on the world stage as Mexicos artists have responded to the inequalities, migrations, and violence of contemporary globalization.