AMCS 275 - Latinx and Black Experiences

Unit(s): 3

This course interrogates the social, cultural, and political impact of Latinx and African American communities in the United States. By focusing on the people of the United States and Latin America, this course also examines the evolution of social, political, environmental, and economic institutions. We will begin by tracing the pre-colonial origins, colonial legacies of Africa, Latin America, and the United States, which include slavery and other forms of marginalization. The course then focuses on historical events in both the U.S. and Latin America, which help explain push and pull factors of immigration patterns both to and within the United States. Various reactions to changing demographics by both Latinx and African American populations help establish patterns of resistance. A solid understanding of Mexican American history presented alongside that of African American History will help students understand the remarkable similarities in the growth of the two largest minority groups in the U.S. The rest of this course will delve into the growth of other Latinx communities including those from Central America, Puerto Rico, and Dominican Republic, paying particular attention to issues of race, ethnicity, and gender, with a large focus on Afro-Latinx communities. This course takes an interdisciplinary approach and provides students with knowledge that they can apply to their daily lives. By utilizing primary and secondary sources, this course encourages the development of students’ analytical, critical thinking, and writing skills.

Crosslisted: HIST 275
GE Category: F - Ethnic Studies GE Overlay: Critical Race Studies
Typically Offered Fall Only
May Be Repeated No
Teaching Mode: Face-to-Face, Hybrid & Online Grading: Student Option