This course explores the history, literature, art, and culture of Latina women in the United States. We will focus especially on Chicana, Nuyorican/Puerto Rican, Cuban American, and Caribbean texts, as well as Central American and South American issues as they relate to the experiences and struggles of women in the United States. The class has a comparative race and ethnic studies framework and significantly addresses issues of racism, class, sexuality, sexual diversity, misogyny, and homophobia. Class materials will include art, historiographic and expository essays, novels, narratives, documentary films, and autobiographical/ethnographic writing.
Topics discussed in class will include:
• Who are Latina women? What is unique about them about other women with diverse backgrounds and men, including Latinos? What are some of their many intellectual, artistic, and activist contributions to the United States? How do race, class, and gender intersect in their lives?
• What kinds of unique ways of thinking and approaches to life have they developed to succeed and move forward?