Latinxs and Hispanic Identities 4219-SH0009
This course aims to provide an insight into the study of the pan-ethnic group Latinx/Hispanic, exploring the diverse populations with roots in the Spanish-speaking part of the continent of America. The course employs an interdisciplinary approach with the aim of familiarising students with the experiences of these groups throughout the history of the United States of America.
With the help of carefully selected primary sources, the study of social groups with a cultural background in Spanish-speaking countries builds on topics such as culture, history, society, and politics.
In a society where identity is in a state of dynamic change, pan-ethnic identification is a matter of contention as much as innovation. For instance, the term Latinx has recently emerged as a gender-neutral label in reference to male (Latino) and female (Latina) 'Latinos'. Conversely, the term 'Hispanic' is understood to perpetuate ideas of ethno-racial Eurocentrism. In order to critically reflect on these debates, the course encourages the development of critical thinking and writing skills.
Type of course
Mode
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
KNOWLEDGE
Upon completing the course, the student:
- understands key concepts and theories on the topics.
- recognises relevant issues in the area of studies.
- identifies historical and contemporary issues related to the topics of the course.
SKILLS.
Upon completing the course, the student:
- is able to critically use theories and concepts to explain issues related to the course.
- will formulate critical arguments.
- will draw conclusions and formulate synthetic summaries.
SOCIAL COMPETENCES
Upon completing the course, the student:
- is able to formulate her own opinion about contemporary affairs.
- understands the importance of inter-cultural relations and cooperation to address social problems.
- improves her knowledge of the United States of America.
Assessment criteria
Student assessment is based on
Class participation (15%)
Mid-term essay: 1 500 words (35%)
Final essay: 2 000 words (50%)
100-88 = 5
87-73 = 4
72-57 = 3
56- 0 = 2
Bibliography
DeGuzmán, María. 2017 “Latinx: ¡Estamos Aquí!, Or Being ‘Latinx’ at UNC-Chapel Hill.” Cultural Dynamics 29(3): 214–30.
Gobat, Michel. 2013. The Invention of Latin America: A Transnational History of Anti-Imperialism, Democracy, and Race, The American Historical Review, 118(5): 1345–1375.
Horsman, Reginald. 1981. Race and Manifest Destiny: The Origins of American Racial Anglo-Saxonism. Harvard University Press.
Kymlicka, Will. 2018. Liberal Multiculturalism as a Political Theory of State–Minority Relations. Political Theory, 46(1): 81–91.
Noriega, Chon, Eric Avila, Karen Mary Davalos, Chela Sandoval, Rafael Pérez-Torres, and Charlene Villaseñor Black (eds.). 2020. The Chicano Studies Reader: An Anthology of Aztlán, 1970-2019. Aztlán Anthology, 3. Fourth Edition
Salinas Jr., C., and A. Lozano. 2017. Mapping and Recontextualizing the Evolution of the Term Latinx: And Environmental Scanning in Higher Education. Journal of Latinos and Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/15348431.2017.1390464 .
Torres, Lourdes. 2018. Latinx?. Latino Studies, 16(3): 283–285.
Wastl-Walter, Doris. 2011. The Ashgate Research Companion to Border Studies, Abingdon: Routledge, Routledge Handbooks Online.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: