Mexican American History & Culture

Course Taught By: Elizabeth Escobedo, PhD

Course ID: 3653

Meeting Times: Pending

Course Description: Mexican American history is both an integral part of US history and a unique subject of historical investigation. In this course we will explore the history of Mexican-descent people in the United States from 1848 to the present, thinking about the ways in which race, class, gender, sexuality, and citizenship shape(d) the lived experiences and identity formation of Mexican-descent people (both US-born and immigrant) in the United States. Together we will explore an array of historical sources—including photos, oral histories, songs, film, literature, and visual art—to understand how Mexicans and Mexican Americans have negotiated, influenced, and responded to the political, social, and economic circumstances that shape their lives in the United States. Throughout the quarter our class will also consider the ways in which the history of Mexican America appears in public sites of historical memory in the United States, and what the inclusion or exclusion of Mexican Americans in public sites of historical memory reveals about shared values, identity, and sense of belonging in the nation.

Prerequisites:

No prerequisites.