Critical Social Inquiry 0195 - Introduction to Latinx Studies

In 2014 there were over 55.3 million Latin@s/Latinos residing within the United States, accounting for the largest "minority majority" and comprising 17.3% of the total population. This rise in numbers is largely caused by economic, political and other social policies, prompting Latin@s to reside into new regions, cities, and towns that were once hostile to them, accounting for new demographic shifts and thus, Remapping las Americas. In the process, Latin@s have undeniably emerged as a significant political, cultural, economic and social force. Utilizing an interdisciplinary, Critical Ethnic Studies and transnational framework, this course is designed as an introductory foray to studying Latin@/Latinx communities in the United States, focusing on their historical, social, political, cultural and economic formations and practices. Some issues and topics to be discussed include: the history of Latin@/Latinx Studies, inter-Latin@ and transnational formations, Latin@/Latinx identities and their attendant discourses; social and cultural movements; labor policies and (im)migrant labor migration; Current "Juan Crow" and past xenophobic policies and practices against Latin@/Latinx communities; and the forms of resistance employed by Latin@s against historical and current-day imperial projects and ethnically/racially intolerant policies.

Power, Community and Social Justice Multiple Cultural Perspectives Writing and Research Students are expected to spend at least six to eight hours a week of preparation and work outside of class time.