Black Studies 03/25: Race and Ethnicity in Latin America - Course Notes

Course Title: Black Studies 03/25 - Race and Ethnicity in Latin America
Course Focus: Primarily on the experiences of people of African descent in Latin America, with only limited reference to non-black racialized groups.

Anti-Blackness: Emphasized as a central theme over traditional terms like racism and white supremacy, which are seen as problematic for suggesting similarities between the experiences of different racialized groups.
- Definition: Disregard, disdain, and disgust directed towards black people in their lived experiences.
Colonialism and Slavery: Central to understanding the historical context of anti-blackness in Latin America.

Structured around countries and regions in Latin America for practical purposes.
Key countries included in discussions: Brazil, Cuba, Dominican Republic, and selected others from Central and South America.
Each week’s readings and topics aim to build foundational knowledge, connecting back to anti-blackness and its implications.

Week 1: Introduction to concepts surrounding anti-blackness in Latin America.
Week 2: Focus on slavery, social death, and implications of mestizaje relating to anti-blackness.
- Readings may include foundational texts like "Slavery and Social Death" by Orlando Patterson.
Week 3: Examination of African-descended majorities in the Caribbean, especially anti-blackness in Cuba and Dominican Republic.
Week 4: Spotlight on Brazil's population of black people, emphasizing its significance in discussions of anti-blackness within the Americas.
Week 5: Addressing anti-blackness across Mexico and Central America, including gender and sexuality issues related to race relations.
Weeks 7-8: Analysis of popular culture, music, and representation of blackness in varied cultural forms, aiming to connect with broader social movements.
Final Weeks: Discussion on black experiences in Europe and the U.S., encouraging comparative analysis with Latin America, focusing on affirmative action policies and social movements against anti-blackness.

Reading Responses: Weekly responses (500-600 words total) to assigned readings, with emphasis on critical thinking and engagement, avoiding mere regurgitation.
Discussion Prompts: Analyze pieces of popular culture (songs, poems, articles) in relation to course readings, constituting a substantial part of the overall grade.
Final Reflection: A reflective piece (3 pages) focusing on course engagement and learned insights, offering choices for analysis or reflection.

Engagement with materials and assertive critical thinking are vital for success.
Respect for diverse experiences and awareness of the impacted realities of peers in the course are required.
No late submissions will be accepted; clarity on deadlines is emphasized.

Meetings with Instructor: Opportunities to discuss course content or address concerns, available in the first and second half of the term.
Extra Credit: Opportunities for participation beyond required assignments to aid in grade evaluation.