Humanities and Fine Arts 191HFA51 - FYS- Creativity & CitizenshipI

In this class, we will begin by assuring a basic understanding of the colonial history of Puerto Rico as background to our central focus: exploration of music, art, short stories, and poetry created by Puerto Ricans living off-island. Choices about Spanish and English language-use by writers and artists alike will be considered; we will explore ways in which Salsa and Reggaeton music, for example, are both artistically and politically important; and we will look at issues of race/racism and how these are negotiated by particular musicians, artists, and writers. A central goal will be to deepen our enjoyment of and awareness of what Puerto Rican artists, musicians, and writers bring to U.S. American society and culture more broadly. Assignments will include four multi-medium reflections and a final project, which will include a creative element.

Open to first-year Humanities and Fine Arts Exploratory Track students and first-year HFA Majors.