As one of the most divisive issues of our time, immigration has quickly become a major topic of focus in literature, film, and journalism. This course will examine Latin American immigration and emigration as social, political, and cultural phenomena. We will study novels, plays, newspaper articles, films, and documentaries spanning over the course of two centuries, exploring topics such as citizenship, exile, social/cultural assimilation, stereotypes, racism, gender roles, and border issues. We will consider how writers/filmmakers represent these issues, taking into consideration the historical, political, cultural, social, and economic contexts that informed their formation.
Students will study works from many different genres in conjunction with critical readings to grasp the many different facets of immigration and emigration, including colonialism, transnationalism, exile, and border crossings