Critical Social Inquiry 0171 - Striking Against the Empire

There is growing interest in studying empire and citizenship in a postcolonial context. Yet, how can this perspective apply to delocalized Puerto Rican communities? In order to address this question, we will study conquest, colonial "encounters," and empire formation in the Americas, with a particular emphasis on Puerto Rico's unique position in the Atlantic world. This seminar will analyze Puerto Rico, its Diaspora, and its decolonial struggles, commencing from the Spanish conquest and the U.S. invasion, through the mass migration of Puerto Ricans after World War II into the U.S. We will examine how the scattered Puerto Rican nation developed in relation to European and U.S. expansion. We will begin with the emergence of the transoceanic movement of peoples and commodities to examine how ordinary Puerto Ricans became involved in the global economy and how their social and historical experiences overlapped with other racialized/colonized communities. We will also consider how local and global processes shaped social movements, anti-colonial struggles, transnational initiatives, Diaspora narratives, poetic visions, literary voices, and cultural/aesthetic agency.

Power, Community and Social Justice Multiple Cultural Perspectives Writing and Research "Students should be aware that a handful of assigned readings will be in Spanish. Some Spanish reading fluency would be helpful." Students are expected to spend at least six to eight hours a week of preparation and work outside of class time. This time includes reading, writing and group assignments.