Latina and Latino Studies
201-2-20: Introduction to Latina and Latino Social & Cultural Analysis :

Instructor: Angelica Rivera
Office address: Wcas Latino Studies 1880 Campus Dr 1-435 Ev
Phone:
E-mail: arivera7@northwestern.edu
Office Hours:

Expected Enrollment: 30

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course aims to introduce students to the broad themes, concepts, and questions raised in the field of Latina/Latino Studies. A relatively new and growing field, Latina/Latino Studies focuses on the social formation of Latinas/Latinos in the United States as well as their origins and connections to Latin America. Specifically in this course we will address the following questions:

*Who are Latinas/Latinos? Do they have distinctive characteristics?
*Are Latinas/Latinos a racial group? A cultural, ethnic or linguistic group?
*How and why did Latinas/Latinos come to be identified as a distinctive social group?
*Are there differences or particularities across Latinas/Latinos of varying national origins?
*What is the utility of using the term Latina/Latino? What are the drawbacks?
*Why does Latina/Latino Studies matter? What does it contribute to the academy?

These are some of the questions that will be addressed throughout the quarter. This course will make use of film, academic articles and books. Latina/o studies is an interdisciplinary program grounded in complex histories, multiple identities and diverse communities.

READING: David G. Gutierrez, The Columbia History of Latinos in the United States Since 1960. (New York: Columbia University Press, 2004).

Course Packet available in local bookstore.

[Course Descriptions for Fall 2009] [Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences] [LATINO Latina and Latino Studies]